I wouldn't bother with the heater on the rad hose, as it introduces new joints that could leak. Better to stay with an external heater IMO. There is no particular reason to heat the coolant, it is just that that is what immersion heaters used to do. Heating the block via the coolant isn't really the goal. What you want is to ensure that the oil flows on startup, and that is best achieved by heating the oil, not the block.

You will be one of the very few to do this modification, due simply to the fact that it isn't necessary. In Alaska, fine, it can be more necessary. At Calgary temperatures, you will get a relatively small number of very cold days. Just make sure you have 5-30 or 0-30 oil, and you will be fine.

While it may be nice to have warm air blowing, there is a reason that BMW offers heated seats and heated steering wheels. They are even nicer than warm air.

Fuel consumption will be higher until the engine is warm. You won't likely save enough on fuel to pay for the cost of running the heater, but I don't have proof of that, just an opinion.

An oil pan heater will not boil the oil, your service advisor has not used one. They are available in different wattages, and you need one for an 8 litre sump. If you put too much heat in there, it will be a waste, but you aren't likely to boil anything. Use a reasonable wattage, on a timer so that it is only on for an hour prior to your usual departure time.

We used these heaters for years on heavy duty diesels. Others have used them on the X5. Just realize that you don't really need one.

Also, the heaters aren't going to do anything about the crankcase ventilation valve freezing. It can freeze up while you are driving, and you aren't going to be plugged in then. The failure mode is as follows: Lots of short trips without fully warming the engine leads to a buildup of condensate in the oil. Condensate collects in the CCV over time. If you don't clean it out after a period of time (ie every season or two) it can build up a lot. Cold weather results in the condensate freezing, and if there is a lot there it can plug the valve. Then you have a pressurized crankcase, and you get an oil leak,usually by blowing out the valve cover gasket. A cold start (ie no preheat) isn't the problem, the condensate is the problem. The condensate results more from repeated short trips, not from cold starts.

Coincidentally, I am enroute to Edmonton on Friday (-35 forecast) and then Calgary on Saturday. Time to get the parka out.

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2007 X3 3.0si, 6 MT, Premium, White

Retired:
2008 535i, 6 MT, M Sport, Premium, Space Grey
2003 X5 3.0 Steptronic, Premium, Titanium Silver
2002 325xi 5 MT, Steel Grey
2004 Z4 3.0 Premium, Sport, SMG, Maldives Blue