i bought a used '88 300e that had no block heater in it; i live in eastern ontario in Kingston, naturally winter is a factor here...its rarely bitterly cold, snow storms being more the problem but it can bite, espeically at 5am when i drive to work. The car was locally driven and runs very well (winter driven - no rust!) begging the question of whther the car really needs a block heater. the manual says to get one....

is it 1) necessary and 2) if so, easy to install?

thank you

I'd recommend a block heater if:
1.) your car sits outside during the winter, and
2.) temperatures are consistently below freezing.

I've seen several brands (I had one for my Bug when I lived in Illinois). Most basically bolt on somewhere on the oil pan or near the bottom of the block. Some are even designed to replace the oil dipstick when parked. You need to be near an electrical outlet of course, because it is essentially a heating element for your engine oil.

It's a whole lot easier to start your car when your oil isn't the consistency of cold maple syrup.

BTW, before I bought the block heater, I used a workshop light, and dangled it in an open area of the engine compartment. This worked well, but I feared the potential fire that could possibly occur.

I don't know if it gets as cold where you are as it does in Minnesota, but when my brother lived there, all of the apartment parking lot spaces had electrial outlet posts to plug in block heaters. He remembers it getting down to -60F some nights!!!

__________________
2009 ML350 (106K) - Family vehicle
2001 CLK430 Cabriolet (80K) - Wife's car
2005 BMW 645CI (138K) - My daily driver
2016 Mustang (32K) - Daughter's car

It will all reduce that amount of wear on your engine!

__________________
2006 E350 w/ 155k miles (Daily Driver)

Previous:
1993 300E 3.2L Sedan w/ close to about 300k miles
2003 E500 Brilliant Silver (Had 217k miles when totalled!)
1989 300E with 289,000 miles (had for <1 yr while in HI)
03 CLK 500 cabrio (Mom's)
2006 C230k (Dad's)
1999 S420 (Mom's/Dad's)
2000 C230k Sport sedans
2001 CLK320 Cabrio (Mom's)
1995 C280 My First Mercedes-Benz... (155k miles. EXCEPTIONAL AUTOMOBILE. Was Very hard to let go of!)