I think part of this stems from the carb days and the use of choke. Idling with the choke on puts a lot of extra fuel in the bores and thus could wash lube from some areas.
Moving off soon after starting warmed the engine faster allowing the choke off sooner.
If I have to scrape frost off the Polo's windows, it will sit at idle while I do so - the slight extra warmth helps to stop the windows freezing up again and with any luck if I leave the windscreen to last part of it will have thawed before I start on it. Also helps demist the windscreen if needed.
LR 90 is different - just fire up the diesel pre-heater, defrosted windows and a warmed cabin
