I'd love it to be a stat issue, but from what I've read (searching around for temperature and economy issues) it would appear it is normal for this engine.
My car went in to the dealer as my economy is **** and I suggested it was the thermostat as it seemed to take an age to get up to temperature. I chatted with the mechanic when we went for a test drive beforehand and he agreed it sounded like a stat issue, but when I collected it they had tested and it's fine, Audi have some kind of tech note about it. I've read other posts / forums where people have changed the stat only to get the exact same result in the winter. The engine apparently just doesn't generate enough heat to warm itself up.
The car's only done 38k and less than 3 years old, isn't it a bit early for a stat failure?
How easy is it to remove the stat, test it and put it back in? (Not that I don't trust the dealer of course
) I've still got a few months warranty left and if there is an issue, I'd like to sort it out, dealer or not.
Although thinking seriously about moving this car on as the fuel economy is so incredibly poor. 4th tank and I've managed 36.1, 26.8 and 28.0 mpg with the first 3. The only reason I got 36.1 is because I cruised for 200 miles on motorway at 65-75.
I was getting better out of a '98 BMW 323i and only about 25% less in an '05 M3 on the same journeys!