im getting a lot of mixed signals from different people and sources... my question is how long does it take for my car to fully warm up and fully cool down... and speaking of which what is the best methods for warming up... i hear that idleing the car for warm up builds carbon up or something... people are telling me to just start and drive but cant you mess up a turbo on that? (i have a 01 1.8t quattro)

Best way to warm up a car, with or without a turbo, is simply gradual and relaxed driving. Plus, its more efficient and better on your gas mileage because you're actually going somewhere. The carbon build up thing is urban legend. A tuned up car does not build up carbon in the combustion chamber appreciably, except over long periods of time.