I need new wiper blades and was not sure if I should get stock or something else. I tired the search and got old post with mix results. Does anyone have any advice for what I should get.

Sean

 

I just replaced mine with Teflon blades I got at Meijer. Sorry, I don't recall the brand. The design is the same as the original equipment and they work just fine!

 

I'm looking at getting the PIAA Super Silicon blades. They seem to be pretty well liked everywhere. They might be ~$35 for a set but you can also buy blade refills so you don't have to replace the whole assembly.

Another brand people seem to like is the Valeo low profile wipers. They are quite expensive at ~$50 a set and they don't seem to have refills available. So when they go you have to replace everything.

 

I just go to the local Auto Zone or Advance and buy the Ancos. I used both the regular and the winter blades. I used the winter blades for the Tour Du Nord in February and was not impressed with them but the summer blades are fine.

 

I've PIAA on 3 of my cars

 

The Valeos are on sale at tire rack right now, maybe I will test those out if they have any kind of return policy.

You have Different blades for different seasons? How cold does it get where yuo are?

 

I agree with geowit about the Ancos winter blades (I think they actually lend themselves to a build up of slush/ice) but like the summer ones just fine.

I can't see paying over $10 for a wiper blade, but that's just me!

 

i used my wipers maybe 10 times since 3 years of ownership.

i would first see if the blade is salvagable by wiping it down with
some alcohol to soften/clean it up. if that does the trick, coat it
very lightly with your rubber protectant to get it moist again.

if not, i would just get a new insert from the dealer. sometimes
they send you like a 10% off coupon, so just use that.

 

Probably Trico. Excellent blades.

If you noticed the newer BMWs.... their wiper blades....

you can sort of get something similar: Bosch Icon. All-season performance and no exposed linkage to get clogged by ice.

 

Unfortunatly they are LONG gone. They are already ripped....Ugh...

 

That's it! Thanks They were on sale for $7.50 per.

 

I had my car in for an oil change a couple of weeks ago and the dealer said the blades were getting brittle so he just changed them for me and charged me $25CDN for all three.

I guess that's not overly expensive for BMW/MINI blades.

 

I live in central PA but the reason I tried the winter blades is a small group from NEMINI drove to Newfoundland last February. The worst weather we actually experienced was on the ferry (35 foot waves, 100 MPH wind).

 

Additional food for thought.....

Aqualpel by PPG. Yes, it's more expensive than Rain-X. Lasts a lot longer than Rain-X.

 

I just got some refills from the NAPA where I used to work.
Part #s 60-1700 and 60-1900, about $3.50 a side.

 

Thats alot cheaper than what I did, I ended up with Bosch Micro Edge.

 

Anyone have any luck finding a replacement insert for the rear wiper? That appears to be an odd size, and my SA said they're pretty much MINI-only right now.

A word of caution if you're planning on changing even the insert in your wipers: save everything you take off and stick the parts in a bag. I chucked the factory insert on the driver's side and replaced the entire frame on the passenger side. The dealership was unable to give me new inserts on *either* side; I would have had to buy the entire frame on both sides. This sounds like utter bunk to me, but I respect my SA (although the tech could be blowing smoke). Apparently the metal strips that help the rubber blade keep its shape are *not* replaceable independently.

I did try using just plain 'ol Anco wipers on both sides, but the driver's side tended to lift on the downward stroke. The little airfoil does seem to help. Are y'all not having that problem with the fancy schmancy replacements from Valeo, Bosch or PIAA?

 

Those look just like the Trico Innovision blades I have on my cars. I haven't used them in winter driving yet, but they are supposed to be all-season blades.

 

I just bought a size 12 replacement blade and slid it into place. Worked like a charm.

 

My girlfriend got inserts for her GTI from her VW dealer. They sell one size that you cut to fit. Cut to size they are a direct replacement for the rear window wiper on the MINI.

 

Pep Boys carries the Bosch Icons and Rain-X's version of the flat blade wipers. Strauss, at least the one in my area carries the Valeo.

I purchased the Icons back in December.



Been happy with them so far. On the passenger side, the tip doesn't touch the glass. I a little more than stock though. On the driver's side, both ends of the wipers doesn't touch. But it's only like 1/16th of an inch and it's only at rest.