Interior/Exterior Windshield wipers
#51
01-06-2010, 09:35 PM
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#52
01-06-2010, 09:39 PM
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#53
01-06-2010, 09:42 PM
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#54
01-06-2010, 09:59 PM
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You can get the parts at any place that handles OEM parts. Just the rubber blade for an R56 is around $6 plus shipping at ECS Tuning.
#55
01-07-2010, 02:59 PM
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#56
01-18-2010, 11:52 AM
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#57
01-18-2010, 11:55 AM
#58
01-18-2010, 12:54 PM
You may want to try these then. They are even made in Canada. I sure you can find them some where up in the north country.
http://www.autoxcooper.com/heated_blades.html
http://www.autoxcooper.com/heated_blades.html
#59
01-18-2010, 01:35 PM
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The PIAA Super Sporza Silicone wiper blade with Spoiler is the best solution I've found. Not cheap, but it definitely works well. It's difficult to find the models with the spoiler in the 18- and 19-inch sizes, but here's one source:
http://www.autobarn.net/pisuspsiwi.html
Just enlarge the pic to get a clear idea of how the spoiler makes a difference. I had these on my '03 MCS and the spoiler did keep the blades firmly planted to the windshield. My '10 will get these same blades when the time comes (it only has 450 miles on it now).
As someone mentioned in an earlier post, these come with a chemical wipe to cover the windshield before installing the wipers. This chemical makes the windshield super slippery and will sometimes negate the need to even use the wipers. I'd guess an additional advantage of this chemical is to make the blades last a lot longer?
http://www.autobarn.net/pisuspsiwi.html
Just enlarge the pic to get a clear idea of how the spoiler makes a difference. I had these on my '03 MCS and the spoiler did keep the blades firmly planted to the windshield. My '10 will get these same blades when the time comes (it only has 450 miles on it now).
As someone mentioned in an earlier post, these come with a chemical wipe to cover the windshield before installing the wipers. This chemical makes the windshield super slippery and will sometimes negate the need to even use the wipers. I'd guess an additional advantage of this chemical is to make the blades last a lot longer?
#61
01-20-2010, 08:19 AM
Also of note is that if you have the rain sensing wipers they will automaticaly swipe as needed. The level of what is needed to cause it to swipe is adjustable. There are also other idiosyncrasies with upgraded system as well.
If you do not have the upgraded rain sensing wipers then you unfortunately are at the mercy of what the engineers set up as the speeds.
#62
01-20-2010, 08:29 AM
I guess I thought that since there are "computer" mods for things like remembering the settings of Sport Mode and/or DTC (and more) that someone might make one for this...
Conversely, I wonder if MINI can do a factory mod on a car without rain sensing wipers? I'm sure it would be an absurd amount of money but it sounds really cool.
Conversely, I wonder if MINI can do a factory mod on a car without rain sensing wipers? I'm sure it would be an absurd amount of money but it sounds really cool.
Last edited by Headlands; 01-20-2010 at 08:34 AM.
#63
01-20-2010, 08:40 AM
I guess I thought that since there are "computer" mods for things like remembering the settings of Sport Mode and/or DTC (and more) that someone might make one for this...
Conversely, I wonder if MINI can do a factory mod on a car without rain sensing wipers? I'm sure it would be an absurd amount of money but it sounds really cool.
Conversely, I wonder if MINI can do a factory mod on a car without rain sensing wipers? I'm sure it would be an absurd amount of money but it sounds really cool.
#64
01-20-2010, 11:39 AM
#65
01-26-2010, 09:28 PM
6th Gear
They occasionally hopped over the surface, and more often left a thin film of water behind. It was kind of a smear that disappeared in a second or two. Sometimes the wipers worked just fine. Seemed to depend on the intensity of the rain.
I was using the rain sensing wiper system in automatic mode.
#66
01-26-2010, 10:42 PM
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While wandering through one of my local Costco stores, I noticed that they were selling Goodyear Assurance All-season Performance wiper blades. I bought 2 (an 18" and a 19") for $7.99 each. They installed very easily. After the fact, I decided to look online and see if there were any reviews. There were, and they were good. Some posted that they think these blades might even be the same ones Bosch sells as Icons. All I know for sure is that they were very reasonably priced and in the sizes I needed. Now, if it ever rains here in San Diego again (we just got our first measurable rainfall since June 16th the other day), I'll be able to see how well they work.
Here are some of the claims on the packaging:
Round Top design creates VORTEX for maximum wiping power! (Their emphasis, not mine)
For $7.99, they seem pretty nice. I'm not worried.
Here are some of the claims on the packaging:
- Optimize layover angle
- Round hinge
- SilentArmor Technology
- Optimal wipe angle 45 degrees
Round Top design creates VORTEX for maximum wiping power! (Their emphasis, not mine)
For $7.99, they seem pretty nice. I'm not worried.
I don't think my Costco has them anymore though. Maybe it was a limited-time offer?
#67
04-16-2010, 11:22 PM
4th Gear
Recently purchased the Goodyear Assurance All-season Performance wiper blades at my local Costco. These are the newer style one piece rubber suspension with built in blade. They work great except the passenger side does not wipe the last couple inches near the base of the windshield, because it can't curve enough to contact the windshield there. Will be returning these and giving the PIAA a try.
#68
04-17-2010, 05:48 AM
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Recently purchased the Goodyear Assurance All-season Performance wiper blades at my local Costco. These are the newer style one piece rubber suspension with built in blade. They work great except the passenger side does not wipe the last couple inches near the base of the windshield, because it can't curve enough to contact the windshield there. Will be returning these and giving the PIAA a try.
#69
04-17-2010, 07:39 AM
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MIght as well keep them. I haven't had an aftermarket blade yet that would clear the windshield there. Doesn't bother me as long as the rest is good. The worst ones I tried were the ArmorAll blades - they left a big gap right in the centre of your view. I threw them in the garbage after the 1st rainfall (sadly I didn't keep the receipt).
#70
05-18-2010, 08:50 PM
4th Gear
#72
10-22-2010, 01:17 PM
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#73
10-25-2010, 12:15 PM
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