Heater

[Blazeman1995]

My mk3 takes a long time to put heat into the cab. Not sure if it is normal. Is there a way to get it to heat up quicker

[jimmydub]

Normal. You just have to wait for engine to get up to temperature. On winter mornings its good practice IMO to start your car and let it run for a little while before you set off.

[gasketface]

maybe you need a new thermostat or you may have an airlock.

[itavaltalainen]

How long is 'long'?
Does the engine get up to 90 degrees if you drive it? Which engine code and model year is your car?

The UK does not have a winter strong enough where you'd need to allow your engine to idle for any period of time before setting off.
Only once you get to -20 I'd let it idle for a short while (30 seconds) so that oil gets everywhere.

[jimmydub]

How long is 'long'?
Does the engine get up to 90 degrees if you drive it? Which engine code and model year is your car?

The UK does not have a winter strong enough where you'd need to allow your engine to idle for any period of time before setting off.
Only once you get to -20 I'd let it idle for a short while (30 seconds) so that oil gets everywhere.

yeh sure, if you want to get into a cold car in the morning 

any way, i disagree. the engine runs better when its at optimum temperature. so you should drive gently for a few minutes at least, no matter what the weather.

but the OP was asking about cabin temp, which will warm up quicker once the engine is up to temp. as Gasketface has said above though, there could also be another problem if it is taking a loooong time to heat up.

[Blazeman1995]

The car is a 1997 2.0 gti 8 valve. AGG engine code. By long I mean about 10 minutes to heat up the cabin. And the temperature gauge sits around 70

[itavaltalainen]

If it doesn't go over 70 ever than just replace thermostat. Though 10 minutes are not really terribly long for it to warm up (as long as gauge goes to 90).

Idling a cold engine causes more wear than driving with a little care immediately after starting (and it really pisses your neighbours off - I want to smack my neighbour for idling his crappy 90s diesel in the courtyard every morning at 7).

I don't mind sitting in a cold car for a few minutes in the morning, that's what heated seats are for. 

[jimmydub]

If it doesn't go over 70 ever than just replace thermostat. Though 10 minutes are not really terribly long for it to warm up (as long as gauge goes to 90).

I agree, replace the thermostat and go from there.

Idling a cold engine causes more wear than driving with a little care immediately after starting (and it really pisses your neighbours off - I want to smack my neighbour for idling his crappy 90s diesel in the courtyard every morning at 7).

I think the committee is out on that tbh. I thought the ECU compensated for starting a cold engine and more fuel is injected etc. So more juice is used whilst driving a cold engine, although to be fair this is probably infinitesimal amounts. metal expansion and contraction is also something to consider.

I was under the impression its quite important to do it with diesels, turbo'd in particular?

I don't mind sitting in a cold car for a few minutes in the morning, that's what heated seats are for. 

I wish my seats were up to the job! takes forever and a day to get my seats warm, and theres nothing worse than cold leather in the morning!