Has anyone tried Bosch Icon aero blades on their 2007+ R56? I want to put a set on my Cooper, but Bosch's 2007 application book (or website) doesn't list an Icon blade for my car!

The factory arms and blades don't wipe very well, and I have had great success with the Icon blades on my past vehicles; a nice clean, silent, and streak-free wipe, vs the chattering, smear of the factory blades. Yes, I have cleaned my current blades with alcohol, but am still dissatisfied with the results.

Icon users out there?????

 

I agree the OEM blades are not very good. We had the same problems you descibe and I did the alcohol cleaning too, then later tried Rain-X. Nothing worked.

In the past I have used Bosch on other vehicles and they are very good blades, but I installed PIAA Super Silicones on our new '08 MCS. They are great, and not to put down the Bosch, but I prefer the PIAA's. Ordered them from OutMotoring.com.

Check the PIAA website to get details on the Super Silicones or the Sporza Silicones with aero blade.

 

I'm using Bosch Ikon's on my R53. They weren't listed in the parts book either. I took the oem blades off & carried them in the store. We matched them up & they work great!!!

I have no experience with the Piaa blades, but I have experience with Outmotoring & they are great to deal with.

 

The only gripe I have heard about the Icons is that, due to the extreme curvature on the sides of the MINI windshield and the relative lack of "flex" on the Icon blades, the tip of the right side blade tends to "hover" a couple of mm over the windshield when it is parked. When it sweeps upward, the whole blade comes in contact with the windshield and works fine in moderate climes... though this might be a problem in areas with frozen precip...

I run a right Icon blade 2" shorter than stock to minimize this effect.

 

That is what I'm doing too. I had forgotten about it until I read your post. Old farts can't remember shizz.

 

Occasionally, between the two of us, perhaps we can cobble together a single coherent thought.

 

Thanks for the help...

 

I haven't had any issues with the factory blades. The windshields are the problem, they are like nissan, toyota, and honda where they don't bead up the water. But mine since I wash it all the time and it stay inside it beads up when it rains with no additives. So my blades wipe as bout as good as any can. I have noticed for many years if you keep it washed all the time the windshield will get conditioned and bead up water when it rains which in turn helps the wipers wipe so much better. Just my experience. :-)

 

I bought a set of Trico NeoForm Beam Blades with Teflon. They seem to work very well (MUCH better than factory), but seem a little "thinner" and less substantial in appearance than the Bosch Icons. Trico listed the R56 at my local auto parts store, so I'm giving them a go. 18" blade for the driver, 19" blade for the passenger.

A previous poster mentioned the slight overhang on the passenger-side blade when it is in the down position, and that is true. Very small nit to pick for the improved performance. Part numbers for Trico blades are 16-180 for the 18", and 16-190 for the 19" (I believe). They're also slightly less expensive than the Bosch blades.

Bosch when these wear out....

 

I just installed two 17" ones on my car and they work great. No overhang the side of the windscreen on the pax side, and they come up plenty high when vertical with good overlap on the sweep. Very smooth and clean wipe.
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so have you guys removed that stock "wind-lip" thing on the drivers side blade??

 

Yes...It comes right off with the wiper arm. Some cars have them attached separately, but the MINI comes off in one piece.

 

gotcha. didnt know if it really did anything beneficial. i dont usually hit anything above 80mph around here lol

 

The Bosch Icons have a somewhat aero dynamic shape to them. So far I have not had any lifting with them at the speeds that I've driven. For me it will not be a problem.

 

Bavauto.com sells the Icon for the Mini. Part# 418A for both sides. I just purchased a set and they work great. I'm going to AMVIV next week from Seattle with PSMINI & SSMINI club and joining up with PDXMINI along the way to Vegas. Last time we did that we reached 100 mph. Will let you know how the wipers do on that speed if they will fly off or not.

 

I ordered the Anco Contours because they had a rebate (I normally get Bosch Icons.) The the last inch or so on both wipers at both ends don't touch and they get very noisy after being on for any length of time. I did like other posters said and got the 18" for the driver side and 17" for the passenger side. I was very disappointed as I have always loved the Bosch Icons. I don't know if the curve is different or what.

 

Firestone makes a Bosch Icon copy that works well. Bought mine at Costco. The only issue was some squealing when they were new. A couple of rain storms later they were broken in.