Block heater???
 

Has anyone installed, or does anyone know if there is a block heater available for the 4.4?

I'm also interested..It gets cold here in Chicago...especially over the last couple of days..by the way..your name is my name and initials..is bock your last name?

Here in Milwaukee also, that is what I am asking if anyone knows about them. Lot better for initial start up when it gets this cold. So if anyone can help we would appreciate it. (For those of you in warmer climates, you probably have no idea what we are talking about. :)) )

BMW doesn't recommend the traditional block heater that uses a heating element in a core plug. There is no OEM version of this heater.

You have a few options:

1) Garage the car. (sorry, couldn't resist)
2) Webasto fuel-fired heater, available for gas or diesel. See the Webasto web site. You can also get a remote, and a timer.
3) Oil pan blankets. These are available in various sizes, and you glue them on the outside of the oil pan, basically they are a heating pad. I have used them on trucks, and gensets, but not on a car. If you really want a heater, they are probably the least intrusive to the engine, and they are very effective. Make sure you have a low temperature heater that doesn't cook the oil. These heaters are usually found on diesels (which need heat more than a gasoline engine), so you may find them at a shop supplying the diesel pickup market.
4) Check out Kim Hotstart. Not designed for the BMW market, but they may have something you would like to try. I have lots of good experience with their products.

If you use the appropriate synthetic oil, you will be fine, but I agree that it seems better to get some heat under the hood prior to starting. For very low temperatures, you may need a battery blanket (a low temp version of item 3, designed for batteries). Be careful with this, as the battery is mounted in a confined space.

Good luck.

You could use a dipstick heater too. There easy to use and do not require any work to add. They aren't the best solution but it's an easy addition.

http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/P...013989/c-10101