I have a glow plug error on all 6 glowplugs when I run scan and suspect it is the controller. However it doesn't get cold enough here to worry about. X5 always starts even in winter.

Getting off-topic here but while we are talking about it... ;)

The glow plugs are not just for cold starting - they are activated at other times as part of thr emission controls, esp. when engine temps are low.

From a BMW TIS:
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Preheating

At coolant temperatures below 25°C, there is a preheating period of 0.5 seconds. The preheating period increases as the temperature falls, reaching a maximum of 2.7 seconds at a coolant temperature of less than -25°C.

Indication of glowplug activation on the instrument cluster only occurs at coolant temperatures below 0°C.

After-heating

At coolant temperatures below 30°C, there is a temperature-dependent after-heating period to improve idling and exhaust emission characteristics.

Start preheating

Start preheating takes place for approx. 10 seconds if after the preheating time has elapsed the engine is not started and the ignition remain on.

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I've actually seen the "PREHEATING" message on my cluster a few times, once or twice when the coolant temp can't have been below 0° (ambient was just above 0°), so I'm not sure how accurate this info. is. :dunno:

I have heard of it. If the blower is running key off, I would definitely replace FSR first