I posted a while back about my concerns following the initial "long
life" service of my wife's UK-based A4. After the oil change and just
20miles, the oil was as black as before and there was more of it.

I've now been back to the garage and insisted that they again change the
oil foc - which they agreed to probably because of the other minor
faults arising from the service.

They told me. as others did in responding to my last post, that oil goes
black very quickly in a diesel - even in just 20miles. So this time I
insisted on reading the dipstick before a wheel was turned after the
refill. I found that there was now less oil in the sump but it was still
black. The technician told me:

1. The oil is black because of the residue which is never fully drained
from the sump, which in turn colours the rest as soon as the engine is run.
2. That to obtain a clean dipstick without flushing (which Audi do not
recommend) would require up to 10 refills with short runs inbetween to
circulate the oil properly.
3. That the oil is anyway good for 50,000 miles - Audi are just being
super-cautious when they say variable, 20-30,000. (What do American
owners make of that one....!?!?)

When I got home (20 miles again, the level was still lower (about
halfway between min and max) and as black as ever.

Anyone out there with a recent TDi using the synthetic wunder-oil who
has ever seen a clean dipstick???

Another credibility check on (main official Audi) dealer info: I was
also told that the seatbelt warning light (which used to flash until the
seatbelt was worn and which ceased functioning several months ago)
should never have functioned: it is only meant to be operational in the
USA and Canada. Any thoughts from UK owners?