An update:
Finally picked up the car from the shop yesterday. Yes, it's taken them a month for an engine swap.
First issue I picked up on was that it was intermittently very, very hard to brake. As in no vacuum assist. The other thing was that she doesn't sound the same. I put this down to the fact that I've been driving various other cars. This morning I've confirmed an exhaust leak (which may also explain the lambda sensor warning in VCDS). By the time I'd got back to the shop (through afternoon traffic), only the boss was left and he was locking up. I told him I'd be in touch.
Next problem was that she wouldn't start after I stopped to put gas in. While waiting for a jump, I managed to crank her over and got going. I now know why they left her running at the shop instead of letting me start her.
At the traffic lights, with the tranny in drive, I found I was having to keep my foot firmly planted to brake to prevent the car creeping forward. In neutral, the idle rises and falls, fluctuating between around 900 and 1200rpm. My VCDS logs show that idle has never been anything but 680rpm.
A generic coolant has been used. Likewise a semi-synthetic oil was used. This despite me having supplied G12 and a VW certified Penrite oil. Why? because the 'techs' failed to transfer the near new oil cooler from old motor to the substitute motor as requested. The sub motor having a leaky oil cooler. They managed to get water and oil mixed.
To add insult to injury, the cover/tray for the 'water box' between engine bay and windscreen has been damaged. I'm assuming when the battery terminal were loosened.
Am I p!55ed off? Royally. In my agitated and impatient state to get the car out of there, I paid before even taking her for a test run. Honestly though, I'm not sure I want them remedying the avoidable cock-ups.
Caveat emptor as they say. The shop came highly recommended by some friends and family members who have had various levels of work done. A key point was that they stood by their quotes and didn't pop surprises on people.
Adam, the service manager when the car went there, seemed to know what was what. As did the owner. Both had come out of Continental Cars service centres. Sadly for whatever reason, Adam is no longer there and I think "Mac's Auto Clinic" in Manurewa are paying the price.