Interesting observation here....
I've read that the DFI engines have a slightly longer crank time to start (no, not from HPFP failure) compared to previous engines. This is apparently due to the need for electrical charge to kick in before the DFI engine will turn over. Due to this, the recommendationn (on another forum) was to turn the key only halfway at first, then hesitate for a few seconds, so the electricals turn on, and then continue all the way.

So I've done that, and now it starts right away every time with minimal crank time! I would imagine that over the long term this is a plus, so now I start my car every time this way.

FYI

 

True also with non-DFI cars - time to prime the fuel pump.

 

Yes, I noticed that over the past couple months I've had my 09 C4. I was getting worried that the battery was going to die or something - what new car cranks for what feels like forever before turning over? But then it was never consistent - sometimes I would restart after just an hour away from the car - 3-4 secs cranking, no fire. Other times, cold start in the morning - fires right up!

Thanks for making me feel not so paranoid.

 

If you get longer cranking times you may start seeing a bad HPFP.