On my new MINI Cooper Hardtop S, I noticed the the right side of the passenger wiper does not follow the curve of the windshield and that small section does not get wiped - probably a wedge section of about 2-3 square inches in the lower right corner. It's a bit distracting, especially in the rain when I need to look to the right. I looked carefully at the wiper arms, blade attachments and the blades themselves and everything looks well-seated. Is this just a MINI quirk?

It is worth mentioning that I had a new windshield installed after a stone cracked the original one, but it was MINI glass installed by the MINI dealership - no OEM replacements were involved. The car is still "new" with only 4500 miles on it. Perhaps they installed the wrong blade on that side? I'm stumped.

 

You still have a warranty right? I would just bring it by the dealer and make them fix it

 

I replaced my OEM wiper blades with the new Bosch type that work great.

Head to the parts store and look at the Bosch ICON blades !

They even make the car look better !

 

I've found that the curved 18" blade (PIAA Silicone) on the passenger side contacts very well compared
to the stock size flat 19" blade. I use the usual flat 18" (PIAA) blade on the driver side.

 

I use the curved on both sides and they are the best I have found.

 

My 2013 Clubman does exactly the same thing. 1200 miles on the clock. Noticed it immediately. I may live with it till first service then discuss it with MINI. If no good answer then I will investigate aftermarket options. MINI's are free as pointed out elsewhere. Might as well let them have a crack at it.

 

+1 for the silicone piaa wipers. Those things are the best!

 

Questions - not having been in the market recently for the latest and greatest in wiper blades:

1) What is piaa? Is that a brand or a type?
2) One brand/model was mentioned (if PIAA is not one) - Bosch Icon. Any others, or is that the one if MINI has not solution?
3) How can I tell if a blade is "curved" vs flat? I saw some Rain-X in a box that LOOKED curved. Is that what I look for - just the shape? How is Rain-X for that matter?
4) Should I go 19" on the drivers side and 18" on the passenger's?

Thanks!

 

Piaa is a brand, see their wipers here: http://www.piaa.com/store/c/28-Wiper-Blades.aspx

I have the super sporza and I like them. The size depends on which generation mini you have. I know that for the r53 mini used some weird sized wipers, so mine are a little too big. I think it shows mostly on the passenger side, where it misses a little bit of the bottom, outer edge of the window. It doesn't really bother me. I think it performs great and the piaa wipers also come with some silicone stuff you you put on the windscreen and it works great!

 

Somewhere I read 18 ds/ 19 ps and just bought two new sets for our R52 and R56. Wish I would have gotten 18 for both sides.

 

I buy matching 18" and it works fine. The first time I bought the recommended blade sizes I did switch the because I'm **** and had 19" on drivers and 18" on passenger and was happier because had no windshield/blade gaps. I had the rain-x blades that are just a curve, no metal bracing...hated them with a passion. I don't know if it is common but for me they missed a lot of water in the center of the blade, ie the middle of my sight line and has visibility issues. My Bosch blades work just great for me

 

Sorry, I'm still confused about one thing - both should be 18", or is it 19 driver and 18 passenger?

 

Supposed to be 18/ds,19 /ps

 

So it seems that the consensus here is 18 (d/p) on both rather than the stock configuration of 18d/19p. One person said 19d/18p worked well, too.

 

Difference between 18" and 19" comes down to an extra 1/2 inch on the inside and outside of the wiper arc,
so it comes down to user preference -- a little more coverage vs. a little more pressure against the window.
Take your pick. I picked 18d/18p.
Since there are no clearance problems, you can use 18" or 19" on either side.

 

I did 18 and 18 and it works out pretty well.

 

I have a nearly new '13 Hardtop. The OEM blades chattered uncontrollably during the last rain we had. I've cleaned the blades since (& keep the windshield well cleaned) and have not encounted any more rain yet, but has anyone had similar experience with the stock blades (excessive chatter)? Do they suck that bad to want to spend $40 to $50 on Bosch or PIAA (which I might just do)?

 

Umm dude a 2013 is brand new.

 

Thank you. From my perspective, my car ceased to be brand new just as I was leaving the dealership parking lot.