Ok, this is my first attempt at changing the front and rear wipers on my 06' mini. I got the blades from the dealership so I know they are the right blades. Two problems. 1.) I can't figure out how to get the old blades off? I read the manual and it says push in the trigger looking thingie, tilt them toward the windshield and pull them out. For the life of me I can't figure this out? I didn't see any instructions on how to get the rear one off and I can't figure that one out at all

2.) The blades the dealership gave me are about two inches too long but I know they are the right ones because I got them from the dealership. Do I have to cut them? Seems weird that I would have to cut them to fit. Wouldn't mini make some ready to go blades?

Anyhoo, I'm pretty stumped here and was hoping some kind members could help me figure this out. I'm sure it's easy and I just don't know some details but it's frustrating none the less. Thanks in advance for any help anyone can provide!

Lindseybp

 

try this

 

I seem to remember having trouble getting my OEMs off when I replaced them. Try pushing the little trigger/button thing down and wiggling it around every which way on the arm to see if you can figure out which way it should go. it's just a hook that hooks onto a bar on the blade. If you can figure out which way the hook goes, then you can figure out which way you need to push the blade.

Re: trimming...no idea. I just buy the whole assembly; it's so much easier. And the OEM blades wear like crazy, so I have PIAAs instead.

 

Press the tab down, push blade assembly toward wiper arm base (where it connects to car). You may have to whack the upper end of the blade with the heel of your hand, as they tend to hang up sometimes. Replace the whole blade assembly, not just the refills. Get Bosch Icons for some really good wiping action. Not sure of your location, but most 'big box' auto parts stores will replace the blades for free while you wait.
The rear one unsnaps at the point where it pivots. It feels like it's gonna break something when you first take it off, and there are no refills or aftermarket replacements for it that I know of. You replace the whole thing.
(Not the arm! that stays on the car.)
-skip-

 

If you car is in warranty, the MINI dealer will replace the wiper blades FREE. They've changed ours twice in 16 months even though there was nothing wrong with them and we didn't ask.

 

Right, mine were changed free at the dealer 3 times.

 

Once you get the blades off the car and get the old insert out, you should have a small tool in the bag that reshapes the arm were the refill slides through. All BMW wiper blades are the same, so they all have to be cut. They have a perforation you just bend it a couple times and it snaps off. The rear wiper blade should be the correct size from the dealer and works like a regular refill.