Well, cheer up. it is even worse than you think. For example If INXS of 30 data points (1,000 to 30,000 miles OCI's) yield good UOA, then what does statistically valid really mean? While we are at it, who is to say that what YOU or I (or anyone else for that matter) say has any meaning?
I for one, did not do that. So when you compare factory fill from one (ie.,) to one 09 TDI against another, against another, etc., the conclusion was drawn that wear patterns were very similar and almost across the board. The nexus here being 10,000 miles OCI's. I think more than just I are waiting for 2009-2011 engines UOA results with 50,000 miles on up.
LOL - You're not a tribologist or lubrication engineering, nor am I. That's why I rely on engineers to specify the correct oil for my car. If they screw up so badly that my car fails prematurely due to an oil related problem, well, then I'll get something other than a VW. However, so far, after running nothing but VW approved oils on my 92, 06, and now my unproven 2010, I haven't had any issues. Am I lucky? Perhaps. Or, perhaps the differences between one oil and another are simply not so dramatic that at the end of the day it's going to change my impression of VW. Humans have a tendancy to see and hear what they want to see and hear. The majority here seem to want API oils to be better than VAG oils and they want those API oils to make their engines magically invincible and everlasting. While we're at it, why don't we all get on the bandwagon and say that Mercedes diesels are better than VAG diesels and therefore they must be running a superior oil... Ooooh another controversy!
Yeah, I have 30,000 miles on mine and won't be too long before I have 50,000 miles. I'm beginning to wonder if I should just stop doing UOAs, drive more and worry less. It served me well since I bought my first VW and just put in the VW approved oils.
I'll stick to VW 507.00 and future VW specs.
Look at my UOAs. the last one was done at 90k miles.