Whats your airflow figures like on vagcom?
AJL (and AEB) doesnt have a boost sensor. It works out the boost pressure using a load calculation based on the airflow, so if the MAF is a bit dodgy and reading incorrectly you can end up with squiffy boost. Your fuel trim values might also show something odd if its a MAF fault, and you did say you had a fault code about mixture, which again might point at the MAF.
I dont have a gauge, but i've pulled a log thru second and the airflow figures show a nice flat torque curve ~170lb/ft which is the book figure, so would suggest that the car is making full boost in second gear.