Turbos for the A3, A4, A5, Q3, Q5 and TT — 2.0 & 1.6 TDI diesel VNT and 1.4 / 1.8 / 2.0 TFSI (IS20 / IS38) petrol units. Compare free quotes from verified suppliers across South Africa.
TDI · TFSI · VNT · Illustrative
Variable-nozzle VNT diesel turbos (2.0 / 1.6 TDI) and petrol turbos (1.4 / 1.8 / 2.0 TFSI, incl. IS20 and the S-model IS38). Suppliers cover the full A3, A4, A5, Q3, Q5, Q7 and TT range.
Audi uses more than one part number per engine — the 2.0 TDI is a GT1749V (724930) or BV43 unit, the 2.0 TFSI splits IS20 (standard) vs IS38 (S-models), the 3.0 V6 has several variants. Tell us your VIN and we match the exact unit.
Compare tested used pull-offs, reconditioned/exchange units and new aftermarket — and on the TDI VNT turbos check the electronic actuator is included and calibrated, with warranty confirmed by each supplier.
Audi Turbochargers
Indicative SA pricing by engine and turbo code. Send your VIN for an exact match and a free quote.
Diesel Popular Code: GT1749V (724930) / BV43 · confirm by VIN · 2.0 TDI (EA189 / EA288)
Petrol Popular Code: IS20 · confirm by VIN · 2.0 TFSI (EA888)
Petrol Code: IS38 · confirm by VIN · 2.0 TFSI (EA888 Gen3, high output)
Petrol Code: K03 / IS20 · confirm by VIN · 1.8 TFSI (EA888)
Diesel Code: BV39 · confirm by VIN · 1.6 TDI (EA189)
Petrol Code: KP39 (EA111) / IHI (EA211) · confirm by VIN · 1.4 TFSI (EA111 / EA211)
Diesel Code: Garrett GTB2260V · confirm by VIN · 3.0 V6 TDI
Product images are illustrative only — the exact turbo varies by supplier, condition and VIN.
Price guide
Indicative ranges by engine and turbo code. Actual quotes depend on condition and whether the unit is used, reconditioned/exchange or new aftermarket — and whether the actuator is included on the VNT units.
| Engine / Turbo | Price Range (ZAR) |
|---|---|
| A3 / A4 / A5 / Q3 / Q5 2.0 TDI — GT1749V VNT (EA189/EA288) | R4,950 – R8,950 |
| A3 / A4 / A5 / Q5 / TT 2.0 TFSI — IHI IS20 (EA888) | from ~R7,950 |
| S3 / TTS 2.0 TFSI — IHI IS38 (EA888 Gen3) | from ~R9,950 |
| A3 / A4 / A5 / TT 1.8 TFSI — K03 / IS20 (EA888) | R6,950 – R8,950 |
| A1 1.6 TDI — BorgWarner BV39 | R7,950 – R8,950 |
| A1 / A3 1.4 TFSI — KP39 (EA111) / IHI (EA211) | from ~R5,950 |
| A4 / A5 / A6 / Q5 / Q7 3.0 TDI V6 — Garrett GTB2260V | Request a quote |
These are estimates based on current SA market data — request a free quote for an exact price on your specific model and year.
Condition & warranty
The same Audi turbo comes three ways in South Africa. Here's how they compare on price, warranty and what you get — so you can tell suppliers which to quote.
Tested second-hand unit removed from a low-mileage donor vehicle.
Your old core is surrendered; the unit is stripped, rebuilt and balanced.
A brand-new unit — aftermarket or genuine OEM-grade.
Not sure which to pick? Send your VIN and ask suppliers to quote all three — you compare price and warranty side by side.
Audi's TDI diesels run variable-nozzle (VNT) turbos; the TFSI petrols run BorgWarner / IHI units — and most are shared VAG parts that carry more than one number. Find your engine family below, then send your VIN so suppliers quote the exact part.
Vanes & actuator adjust boost — soot makes them stick
The most-searched Audi diesel turbo — a GT1749V (724930) or BV43 whose vanes and actuator gum up with soot. Shared with the VW / Seat / Skoda 2.0 TDI.
The small BorgWarner BV39 on the A1 1.6 TDI, plus the larger Garrett GTB2260V V6 on the 3.0 TDI — which can run single- or twin-turbo depending on model and year.
EA888 & EA211 units — IS20 vs IS38 are NOT interchangeable
The volume IHI IS20 on the 2.0 TFSI (K03 on earlier 1.8s) across the A3, A4, A5, Q5 and TT — shared with the equivalent VW 1.8 / 2.0 TSI.
The higher-output IHI IS38 on the S3 / TTS (shared with the VW Golf R), plus the entry 1.4 TFSI (KP39 on EA111, IHI on EA211) on the A1 and A3.
A bare CHRA "core" is only the centre cartridge — not a complete turbo with actuator and housings. It's cheaper, but check exactly what's included before you compare prices. On the TDI VNT diesels especially, confirm the electronic actuator is part of the deal.
Still not sure? and suppliers will confirm the exact turbo for you.
Find your model
Pick your model and we'll match the right turbo by engine and VIN. Tap any model to start a free quote.
On the TDI VNT diesels especially, most of these point to sticking vanes or a tired actuator rather than a dead turbo — so get it diagnosed before you replace the whole unit.
A turbo lives or dies on clean oil and heat management. A few habits go a long way on SA roads:
Most people searching for an Audi turbo in South Africa drive an A3, A4, A5 or Q5 — and most of the demand sits on the diesel 2.0 TDI. The 2.0 and 1.6 TDI both use a variable-nozzle turbo (VNT), where the vanes and actuator adjust boost across the rev range. When those vanes gum up with carbon and soot you get power loss, limp mode and a tell-tale whistle — the single most common reason owners end up here. On the petrol side, the TFSI engines run BorgWarner turbos: the volume 1.4, 1.8 and 2.0 TFSI, plus the performance IS38 on the S1, S3 and TTS.
The biggest trap is buying the wrong part number. Audi fits more than one turbo per engine — the 2.0 TDI appears as a GT1749V (724930) or a BV43 unit depending on year and spec, and the 2.0 TFSI splits into IS20 (standard) and IS38 (S-models) — which are not interchangeable. The 3.0 V6 TDI has several variants, including twin-turbo setups, so it is quote-by-VIN only. Because Audi, VW, Seat and Skoda share these engine families, the same unit often crosses over to a VW. Confirm yours by VIN or engine number before you buy. If you are weighing up the whole engine rather than just the turbo, it is worth comparing a used Audi engine or gearbox at the same time so you can plan the full job — see the related-parts links below.
VNT symptoms — power loss, limp mode, whistling, black smoke — are often the actuator or a stuck vane rather than a completely dead turbo, and worn injectors, a blocked DPF or EGR faults can mimic exactly the same signs. It pays to have the fault properly diagnosed before committing to a full unit, and to compare a used or reconditioned turbo against an actuator or clean-and-recon. Engine Finder is a marketplace — submit one free quote request and verified Audi turbo suppliers across South Africa come back to you with prices, warranties and availability.
It depends on the engine and condition. The most-searched is the 2.0 TDI, which runs roughly R4,950 – R8,950 depending on whether it is a used pull-off, a reconditioned/exchange unit or new aftermarket. On the petrol side the 1.4 TFSI is about R5,950, the 1.8 TFSI R6,950 – R8,950, the standard 2.0 TFSI (IS20) around R7,950, and the performance IS38 on the S-models around R9,950. The 1.6 TDI A1 sits at R7,950 – R8,950. The 3.0 V6 TDI has several variants (including twin-turbo setups) so it is quote-by-VIN only. Submit one quote request and compare verified suppliers for your exact model.
The 2.0 TDI and 1.6 TDI use variable-nozzle (VNT) turbos, and the most common failure is the VNT vanes and actuator sticking with carbon and soot. That shows up as power loss, going into limp mode, a whistling or whining noise, or black smoke. Sometimes it is just the actuator or a clean-and-recon rather than a whole turbo, and worn injectors, a blocked DPF or EGR faults can mimic the same symptoms — so it is worth having it properly diagnosed before buying a full unit. On any VNT turbo, check whether the electronic actuator is included and calibrated when you compare quotes.
Both are IHI turbos from the EA888 2.0 TFSI family, but they are not the same. The standard A3, A4, A5, Q5 and TT run the smaller IS20; the performance S3 and TTS run the larger, higher-output IS38 — which is also shared with the VW Golf R and Tiguan R. They are not interchangeable, and fitting the wrong one is the most common mistake. (The S1 2.0 TFSI can differ by year and spec — confirm its exact unit by VIN rather than assuming IS38.) Confirm IS20 vs IS38 by VIN and spec before you buy, and tell suppliers your exact model and power output when you request a quote.
Yes — most of them. Audi, VW, Seat and Skoda are all part of the VAG group and share engine families, so the 2.0 TDI (EA189/EA288), 1.6 TDI, 1.4 TFSI (EA211) and 1.8/2.0 TFSI (EA888) turbos cross over between an Audi and its VW equivalent — for example the Audi S3 IS38 and the VW Golf R IS38, or the Audi and VW 2.0 TDI GT1749V. That is good news for supply, but you must still confirm the exact part number by VIN, because the same engine family can carry several turbo variants across model years.
All three are common in SA. A used pull-off is the cheapest and fine if it has been tested and comes with some warranty. A reconditioned or exchange unit (you surrender your old core) is usually quote-only and carries a longer warranty. New aftermarket or OEM-grade units cost the most but are brand new. On the TDI VNT turbos especially, check whether the actuator is included and calibrated. Get the warranty terms in writing and confirm whether fitment at a qualified workshop is required.
Confirm it by VIN or engine number — Audi uses more than one turbo part number per engine. The 2.0 TDI can be a GT1749V (724930) or a BV43 unit; the 2.0 TFSI splits into IS20 (standard) and IS38 (S-models); the 1.8 TFSI runs K03 or IS20; and the 3.0 V6 TDI has several variants including twin-turbo setups. Tell us your model, year and engine (and ideally your VIN) when you request a quote and verified suppliers across South Africa will confirm the exact unit before you commit.
Doing a bigger job than just the turbo? Compare quotes on these too.
Used & recon 2.0 TDI, 2.0 / 1.8 TFSI and 3.0 V6 engines from verified suppliers.
View engines →Manual, S tronic and multitronic gearboxes for the A3, A4, A5, Q3 and Q5.
View gearboxes →Compare turbocharger prices across every make we cover in SA.
Browse turbos →Send us your Audi model, year and engine — and your VIN if you have it. We'll get verified suppliers to quote you on used, reconditioned and new-aftermarket turbochargers.
