3.0 TDI - What's with all the power output options?

[ShadyMarkus]

Hey everyone. I'm still in the market for an A6 but am getting a bit confused with all the different power options. One would have thought that the 3.0 tdi is a single engine with X amount of power. However I'm seeing lots of differences on Autotrader adverts e.g.

1. 2007 / 230bhp / 0-60 = 7.4 seconds / Road Tax = £520 Audi A6 AVANT 3.0 TDI Le Mans Quattro 5dr
2. 2006 / 221bhp / 0-60 = 7.3 seconds / Road Tax = £305 Audi A6 AVANT 3.0 TDI S Line Quattro 5dr
3. 2010 / 242bhp / 0-60 = 7.0 seconds / Road Tax = £280 Audi A6 AVANT 3.0 TDI Le Mans Tiptronic Quattro 5dr
4. 2010 / 242bhp / 0-60 = 6.8 seconds / Road Tax = £240 Audi A6 AVANT 3.0 TDI Le Mans Quattro 5dr

Why so many options for a 3.0 tdi engine? Are they in fact different engines across the years? Is so, why are there 2 variants of a 2010 3.0 tdi? Is this just an Autotrader quirk? Finally, how would I distinguish between the different variants when I go to view one?

Thanks all.

[Gazwould]

Slightly different powers because of different emissions standards based on CO2 .

Also the two latter cars will certainly have a dpf .

[rowdy-999]

My 2007 230hp variant isn't in the £520 tax band.....check the banding on an individual basis by using the reg.

[lynalldiscovery]

Wifes on her second A6 C6 3.0 tdi both early march 2011 176KW/242BHP rings a bell?
Great cars great engines, really good on fuel.

[lynalldiscovery]

Just checked her latest one, Mar 29th reg date 280 quid

[ShadyMarkus]

Is having a dpf a bad thing? Does it alter the reliability at all?

[ShadyMarkus]

Thanks everyone for your replies thus far......truthfully speaking though I've still no idea why some are faster/cheaper than the other despite having the same power output. I can't seem to find any reason why this would be the case.

Tell me, is a 230bhp significantly slower than the 242bhp variant? Any difference in MPG and overall reliability?

Thanks all....sorry for all the questions though

[lynalldiscovery]

I would hazard a guess the torque delivery might be different.
Have to say the 242bhp version is way more responsive than the 205bhp unit wife had in an A4.

As for the dpf so long as you dont spend all your time idling around town I cant see it being an issue, never crossed my mind when purchasing, only thing I was determined to make sure was she didnt get a multitronic!

[rowdy-999]

DPFs came in around 2008.
You don't here about failures so much as with the 2.0s

[OVI82]

Shouldn't have any issues with DPF on a 3.0 engine.My 2009 3.0 is mainly driven in town with a lot of stop start and no DPF probs whatsoever.
I do however change my oil twice a year regardless of the mileage.