At tickover my 2tfsi vrs sounds very much like a diesel, are they all like this?

Yes sort of, however the diesel ones sound more like buses.

It should not sound like a diesel on tickover, unless it's very sick, the only diesel like clatter you get with the TFSI is on start up...........then smoothness.

Yup; Sorry if you are disappointed, it is a legacy of the FSI - Direct Fuel Injection.

Its rather like the difference between older indirect injection and current direct injection diesels.

Still whilst yours chugs like a lightweight at least mine (TDI vRS) chugs like a proper truck, then on full throttle growls like a Grizzly Bear on heat when it produces its Tsumani of TDI torque.

and clouds of black smoke:)

Do all FSI engine clatter a bit on startup then? Mine's only a 1.6 but it sounds surprisingly diesel-like on startup. The first time I started it, I had to go around to the back of the car to check the badge on the tailgate :eek:

and clouds of black smoke:)

NO, 'cos I have a DPF

They all clatter initially on start up, nothing to worry about.....