Enjoyed the detailed review.
I also find user reviews give a far better overall picture of how a car works in day to day driving, than most test reviews. Our criteria is often different from the motor mags.
When we spec a car to our likes and needs (we know what we want from a model) I feel we get a much more balanced view from the user. Does it measure up to our expectations, or not? Niggles are also put into a real world context and perspective.
BTW, the high initial idle is likely emissions control. My N55 engine behaves in a similar way from cold.