welcome aboard JonnyB, seams your in the cheap and reliable just like most other people that own a b12... except some kids that are at they're first car
and still think they can do mustang killers with a b12 lol... anyway (its been done already lol)...
If your really concerned about the state of you engine (wich i might be if its still running but crappy) take leak down test and compression on it... this will tell mostly of how well its been treated. I suggest you have a good tune-up done on it if everything seems ok (compression/leakdown)... since the dealer ask for a timing belt each 100k km, id make them change that too... you got any leaks ?? hows the rust under the oil pan/over exhaust ??... if those looks ok and the car desnt smoke, a costy tune-up (the big one) should bring the car back to like new... but the EGR valve mostly all the pcs needed for the tuneup can be bought relatively cheap. pvc valve/thermostat/radiator flush/belts/cap rotor wires....
P.s IMO it is normal that i would take a few minute to the engine to warm up at -20... i live in montreal and i know wath you mean... if i let my car idle in the parking i just wont heat at all... but on a sunny day a quick 0-100km/h with the turbo get the to normal :S... but thats not your case... is it the reading that says so or the heater core that might be gooed and doesnt do is job ??
Hope you like the car as much as i does like mine
