HELP engine noise what is the problem

[Golich]

Its sounds like the hydraulic tappets to me. Not uncommon on SO many cars. But it should only be for a second or two at the most. I lighter weight oil will drain from the tappet easier once the engine is switched off. So watch what oil you are using.

[K2]

Mine does this also as I think they all do. My understanding is :
The oil has quite a long way to travel on these engines and as the oil is a fully synthetic type to lubricate the turbos, it is quite thin, hence on start up the oil is pumped to the top of the engine, and until it reaches the tappets, it sounds like they will escape!!
I used to turn the engine a couple of times on the starter to pressurise the oil until i found out that they all do it and its quite normal. I've just got used to it now as an RS4 idiosincracy.