As I currently reside in an area which experiences cold winters, and do not have access to a garage, I started considering getting an electric block heater. The design I have in mind is installed in the coolant circuit. It consists of a heating element, a coolant pump and a mains power supply. The car is plugged in up to 4 hours prior to being used, and the device will heat the engine coolant to operating temperature.

The car is a 2005 Audi A4 2.0 TFSI.

Benefits I expect is that the heating will provide warm air right from the start, helping me defrost the windows and prevent ice from forming on the inside as I get into the car; also that the starter has less work to do as the oil is less viscuous, which reduces the strain on the battery.

Will the block heater provide a real benefit here (and possibly in other areas) on this kind of vehicle?

As I currently reside in an area which experiences cold* winters, and do not have access to a garage, I started considering getting an electric block heater. The design I have in mind is installed in the coolant circuit. It consists of a heating element, a coolant pump and a mains power supply. The car is plugged in up to 4 hours prior to being used, and the device will heat the engine coolant to operating temperature.

The car is a 2005 Audi A4 2.0 TFSI.

Benefits I expect is that the heating will provide warm air right from the start, helping me defrost the windows and prevent ice from forming on the inside as I get into the car; also that the starter has less work to do as the oil is less viscuous, which reduces the strain on the battery.

Will the block heater provide a real benefit here (and possibly in other areas) on this kind of vehicle?

*cold = currently -15°C during the day, temperatures close to -30°C during the day not being unheard of