I have seen some less cluttered looking wipers in the past that seem to clean up the front of our coopers does anyone have any pics of their aftermarket wipers that don't detract as much from the front end?

 

http://www.boschautoparts.com/Products/WiperBlades/Icon
I use these and only these. Each one is well worth the $18-20. Ignore the A & B listings the blades. That only changes which way the spring is curved. I currently use a 18 and a 19in but would go with 2 18's next time. The 19 hangs out about a inch and a half too much.
http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductD...artNumber=418A

 

Its a little hard to see but the hidden bracket really cleans up the line under the windshield.

 

I have 18's on both sides now, and they passenger side still hangs off. Any shorter though, and I'm afraid the blade would not cover enough. The do look really good, but the over hand is kind of an annoyance.

 

I agree, the Bosch Icons are the cleanest look out there, and I've had 'em on 4 other cars, but the overhang on the passenger side (I had 18's) was just enough to cause ice to build up this winter driving in snowstorms. Couldn't get rid of them fast enough! Picked up a pair of PIAA's from OutMotoring.com, and they are the best wipers I've ever used on any car, period. I thought the Icons were until I used these; I'm telling you - run, don't walk - and pick up a pair of PIAA's, you won't be disappointed!

 

On the Icon blades - any idea which curvature (A or B) fits the MINI windshield better? Ice buildup isn't a problem around here... Might try a bit shorter blade on the passenger side for length.

 

What do you mean by (A or B)?
A 17 on the passenger side might be worth a try, but I think you might come up a bit short. I have an 18 there now and it just reaches the drivers side sweep. Actually makes a goofy little point (Hard to explain) in my line of sight that does not get taken out by the drivers side.

 

Bosch makes each length in an "A" and "B" profile - different spring curvatures... neither seems to be recommended for the MINI (probably due to the issues noted above)... just trying to figure out what folks have tried.

When you talk about "overhang" - do you mean the blade is so long it goes off the edge of the windshield, or that the tip doesn't curve all the way to contact the glass at some point (I assume when off)?

 

well I'm trying to get a picture up I just went out and took, but I'm having issues. Give me a minute.

 

Well screw it. Go to my gallery and look at the Icon image. It shows the over hand using a smaller 18" blade on the passenger side. When it sweeps it's fine, full contact. But sitting still it bugs me a little.

 

Got it - the blade doesn't flex to conform to the curve as well as a traditional design... would be great on a windshield that wasn't as funky as ours...

If you could move the wiper arm pivot point over an inch... but that's extremely non-trivial..

 

I don't know about the difference in A or B curves. At the PepBoys store closing sale I was at it was just 18 or 19. No A or B. I got the 19 first, test fit it (WAY too much overhang) and swapped it for the 18. But when I was getting 2 blades for the price of one I was willing to live with it for awhile.

 

i have the cheaper versions of these. forgot what company makes them. i like the look, but would def get the bosch ones next time. mine have a much bigger clip piece that you can clearly see from inside the car. the bosch has a nice small attachment point.

 

So Hemiheaded18 what kind of wipers are you currently running and what size are they? Thanks

 

I have the Icons in 18 and 19 and the 19 is definitely too long - it leaves this "feathery" edge on the passenger side instead of a clean line where it clears the glass. I deal with it because I only have rain like 3 months out of the year but it is sort of grating on my OCDness. They're about due for replacement anyway and I will probably try PIAAs next, to see how it goes.

 

I have tried the Bosch & RainX brands of these flex blades, neither worked well with the curved MINI windshield. I ended up pulling both off after the first rain storms I drove in and went back to a conventional blade. The reason i tried these other blades in the first place is because a couple of years ago a sales rep from Valeo gave me a set of Valeo blades of the same design, and they worked great, just haven't seen them in any stores. If you can find the Valeo Flex Blades get those, they actually clear the whole path like they are supposed to. One thing that was different about the Valeo blades, the driver's side had a little spoiler attached to the blade.

 

I currently use the Icons. I believe they are 18 and 19in. But, next time I'm going for 2 18's instead. I've had nothing but good luck with them and highly reccomend them myself. I've also seen these:
http://www.tricoproducts.com/brochur...chtricoPopular
They are the cheaper version of the Icons with the kinda goofy looking clip attachment.

 

I agree. I have used every blade there is and have two PIAA 19" Sporza blades with silicone refills on Artoo (driver and passenger sides) and they are the best. I also treat my windows with AquaPel. The PIAAs are better than anything I have ever used. We'll worth the price and Tire Rack has them on sale at the moment. I only wish I could find something workable for the back.

Rich

 

Valeo. I had them for my MINI and gave them away. Big, clunky clip. I just got the Icons for my Cherokee and forgot how much I liked them. I think I got A/B reversed as the passenger's side doesn't sit flush (and the Cherokee has as flat a windshield as you'll find short of a Wrangler )

 

So do the PIAA's look like the factory wipers? The Bosh Icons look SWEET! Does anyone have any pics of the PIAAs on their car?