since topping off, the oil level seems fine since. as trev says, i'm guessing it was the bang up PDI job performed by my dealer that overlooked this problem. i didn't even have a full tank of gas in it before i complained to the sales guy: "i'm paying MSRP and i don't even get a fillup????" but he scurried off and got it filled for me

 

Crazy as this sounds, but the 4.2 FSI is supposed to eat a little bit of oil, it comes with the territory of it's high rpm capability. I don't know exactly how much it's supposed to eat, all I know is that a small amount is perfectly normal.