I would suggest that is real life, there is little differences in filters or oil brands as long as they meet VW specs. I am not suggesting that there are no differences, but we just don't see problems caused by failure of oil, filters etc. as long as they are used as prescribed. No need to change them more often or look for something better.
Yes, I would agree on some to many levels. From the statistical specifications view (VW 507.00), it can be argued (all things being equal, and let me be one of the first to say; they NEVER are) the specification/s was designed to yield minimum results. This does NOT preclude "maximum results and beyond". Further, we know that individuals in a group AND individual vehicles combined with those vehicles show variation/s. The "minimum to the MAXIMUM" results do not limit, destroy, inhibit variation, per se. To add to the mix, it has been shown that almost ANY OCI (for the purposes of discussion) from 1,000 miles to 30,000 miles (min of 30 point intervals, but as you can tell, it rises to almost infinite) any OCI is pretty much statistically just fine. There is of course variation . On another thread we have also seen that Break IN OCI recommendations@ 10,000 miles OCIs using factory fill, shows almost "cookie cutter" type results. Again, even as there IS variation.
There are slightly different dynamics for the specifications on the oem/oem variant oil filters. Suffiice to say an oem to oem spin offs (vendors that make oem filters making the same filters marketed under their own brand names, ie., Hengst, Mann, Bosch, etc.) can run a full 50,000 kms (31,069 miles) AND beyond ( with an unknown safety factor).
I've always done 3k miles /3 month on all my cars and plan to do the same on my Tdi.
