I am having trouble getting just the inserts for the front wipers. Everyone wants to send me the whole wiper blade. I've also been told that you can't just get the inserts.

 

If you are 100% certain of the brand of the wipers, you can buy refills. Oem blades/refils can be gotten from various places, including the dealership. Aftermarket refills have been used with varying levels of sucess...mostly on the front. Some have found cutting an correct width refil, and sometimes reuseing the metal spline if so equipped sometimes works.
It seems that once you free refils are used up from the dealer, there are better options, because the oem's seem to fail very quickly. I am useing PIAA super silcone, curved, from outmotoring I think, and going on their second year, they are doing great!! 100% coverage, no streaks.

 

You can get replacement blades are thru MINI or www.outmotoring.com. The MINI part number is 61-61-8-229-196 and the OutMotoring part is 61610028137 X 2 (This is for two blades)

 

Try Trico 47-600 refills, they are the break off style and fit very well and work well for about six months, then you buy another set... they are very inexpensive. I get mine from Advance AP, same for the rear.

YD

 

I've been using OEM replacements from the dealer every 6 months for years. I had received a big bag of them as part of deal once. But now my supply is out and I need new ones for this winter.

 

Thanks guys

 

I keep the inserts in stock and actually prefer them.

 

I got mine here.
http://www.rmeuropean.com/mini-parts.aspx#Category

 

In SoCal, I find having 2 sets of wipers help them last much longer.

Weather is mostly dry and summer is hot. The older pair is on from April to December when it's 95% dry/hot. For the remaining months (Dec-Mar), the good pair goes on for the occasional shower. I haven't replaced these 2 sets since 2006.