Hi all. I have a 2009 R56 MCS and thought it was time to get rid of the stock wiper arms/blades. I decided to go with the new aero wipers, installed on all R56s from 7/2012 onward. I bought the kit from ECSTuning, which consists of the following parts:

Left arm (61617352525)
Right arm (61617352526)
Blades (61610039343)

I'm going to make an attempt to install them but have some questions:

1. Is it easier to remove the original wiper arms with the hood of the car up or down? I saw a thread that converted the R53 wipers to the aero wipers, but the wiper arms look much easier to access on the R53 since they're positioned directly on top of the hood. The R56 arms are quite tucked in, just behind the rear of the hood line. I just want to avoid damaging any part of my car when replacing.

2. Any recommendations for a wiper arm removal tool? I've read that it's recommended to use one (to prevent damage to the car/arms), but I'm not sure which will fit the R56. Searching on amazon gives me a generic list of results, but not sure which to get (if any). ECSTuning sells a removal kit, but it's $70, which is a bit too much, in my opinion, for something I'm going to do once.

If anyone has any input, or better yet, a guide specifically for the R56 on how to replace the wiper arms, it would be much appreciated. I'm not the most car tech savvy person, so I apologize if this issue sounds trivial.

Thanks!

 

Is there a difference in performance when doing the full wiper retrofit compared to just getting aero blades such as Bosch Icon? I have an 08 and simply replaced the stock wiper blades with Bosch Icons and I have seen an immense improvement in not only performance but also reduction of wind noise.

You may have to remove the top firewall portion but I am not sure...when looking for a wiper removal tool I would just look for the one with the best reviews on amazon and go with that. No need paying $70

Also a simple google search brought this up but it is for the R53 so may not help: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...onversion.html

 

Here is the our Aero Wiper Blade Conversion Kit kit for reference: here is a little insider info for the aero wiper arms.

* On back of wiper arm CC denotes driver side and CP is passenger side.

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/61610039343KT/








The link above is a great how to for the Gen 1 MINIs.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...onversion.html





For Gen 2 its easier to do it with the hood up on reaching those lower mounts. Take the little caps off and access the lower nut, remove the nut and then if there stubborn , hit it with a dab of spray penetrating fluid.






Line the new ones up with the splines teeth and then to the windshield, and tighten down.



Here is the tool we used that made it easier:

http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/Wiper_Arm_Extractor/ES2190252/



Thanks