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I have read nearly all postings on the subject of rear wiper refills/inserts and have been to Oreillys, Napa and Advance and none have refills or anything that will fit.
Have attached a pic of my wiper blade showing the groove that the blade should slide into. ECS tuning says they have it but don't allow for returns in case theirs is not correct.
04 MC40
That's happened to me before, I found it much easier to just get the blade replacement with the carrier. It snaps off & on easily and I don't have to waste time trimming/jerry rigging a blade to fit where it normally doesn't.
That's happened to me before, I found it much easier to just get the blade replacement with the carrier. It snaps off & on easily and I don't have to waste time trimming/jerry rigging a blade to fit where it normally doesn't.
Can you tell me where you got it from? Any info would be appreciated so I can place an order.
Thanks
Bounce out to www.partsgeek.com. They have just about any Mini part you need and the prices are great.
Tried 3 more people at partsgeek and got 3 different answers. The last guy asked me to look at this part. $10 to return it. Does your wiper look like mine?
Rather than having to keep buying the complete rear wiper arm assembly; I found (real) *silicone* refill wiper blades on Amazon. I don't mind cutting and inserting new wiper blades.
If you decide to go this route; just doing the DIY frameless refill wiper blades; IMO - It is important to source REAL *SILICONE* blades. The traditional rubber ones will dry out, split and crack in no time.
Early on I had also come to realize there is a difference in length of the wiper blades between pre-facelift ('03-early '04) = 12" and facelift (July '04+) = 10". Which made it equally confusing since I have a pre-facelift '04 R53.
Notwithstanding:
I never use my rear wiper. Personally I cannot stand seeing that clean arched swipe through the surrounding amount of dirt that collects on the rear window.
Dirt and sand will scratch the glass.
I carry a duster, squeegee, a spray bottle of soapy water and chamois in the rear hatch and wipe/wash down the rear of the car after every drive.
I know. I'm one of "those guys"...
Rather than having to keep buying the complete rear wiper arm assembly; I found (real) *silicone* refill wiper blades on Amazon. I don't mind cutting and inserting new wiper blades.
If you decide to go this route; just doing the DIY frameless refill wiper blades; IMO - It is important to source REAL *SILICONE* blades. The traditional rubber ones will dry out, split and crack in no time.
Early on I had also come to realize there is a difference in length of the wiper blades between pre-facelift ('03-early '04) = 12" and facelift (July '04+) = 10". Which made it equally confusing since I have a pre-facelift '04 R53.
Notwithstanding:
I never use my rear wiper. Personally I cannot stand seeing that clean arched swipe through the surrounding amount of dirt that collects on the rear window.
Dirt and sand will scratch the glass.
I carry a duster, squeegee, a spray bottle of soapy water and chamois in the rear hatch and wipe/wash down the rear of the car after every drive.
I know. I'm one of "those guys"...
I am like that and I get upset with myself if I trigger the rear wiper.
I wish I had more detailed info on your silicon blades but I don't know exactly what manufacturer has the wiper designed to fit the groove in my wiper arm that you can see in the photo. Its proving to be challenging as all the parts stores don't have anything that will work. All wipers are packaged so its hard to see if they have the silicon or rubber that will fit in the groove/channel and that I can cut down to 11 3/4.
I am like that and I get upset with myself if I trigger the rear wiper.
I wish I had more detailed info on your silicon blades but I don't know exactly what manufacturer has the wiper designed to fit the groove in my wiper arm that you can see in the photo. Its proving to be challenging as all the parts stores don't have anything that will work. All wipers are packaged so its hard to see if they have the silicon or rubber that will fit in the groove/channel and that I can cut down to 11 3/4.
I've ordered and tested a few brands from Amazon.
Each that claimed to be "silicone" did not meet the "burn" test. With each different order I snipped off a small 1/16" sliver and held a lighter underneath them.
Silicone doesn't burn, smoke or melt.
Although a bit more expensive - I think this is the only
that passed the test. I believe they are genuine silicone.
Or you can try PIAA. I don't have any first hand experience with PIAA, but someone I met mentioned that is where they order refills for their cars.
I've ordered and tested a few brands from Amazon.
Each that claimed to be "silicone" did not meet the "burn" test. With each different order I snipped off a small 1/16" sliver and held a lighter underneath them.
Silicone doesn't burn, smoke or melt.
Although a bit more expensive - I think this is the only (silicone) brand from Amazon that passed the test. I believe they are genuine silicone.
Or you can try PIAA. I don't have any first hand experience with PIAA, but someone I met mentioned that is where they order refills for their cars.
I looked at that Amazon piece and it has the same issue I am running into in that it has a flat area and it will not fit into the groove, unless there is something I am missing on how this will fit into the small groove.
PIAA's website shows the typical issue in that I don't see how it going to go into the channel/groove as its flat. Am I totally wrong and that the flat area of the replacement blade really will fit into what looks like a very small channel/groove I am talking about?
I am like that and I get upset with myself if I trigger the rear wiper.
I wish I had more detailed info on your silicon blades but I don't know exactly what manufacturer has the wiper designed to fit the groove in my wiper arm that you can see in the photo. Its proving to be challenging as all the parts stores don't have anything that will work. All wipers are packaged so its hard to see if they have the silicon or rubber that will fit in the groove/channel and that I can cut down to 11 3/4.
As for other wipers, I really like these wipers on ebay sold by seller Duragears. I keep them on at least 6 cars and they last lots longer than the premium bosch blades. $18pr complete blades. Sometimes they ship with a spare set of refills. https://www.ebay.com/str/duragears?_....m3561.l161211
I understand your frustration, the small blades have the life span of a cupcake at a weight watchers meeting. I have been working for a while to modify a stock rear wiper arm to accept part of a disassembled front wiper so it can be refilled with an inexpensive blade. I just haven't been happy with what I have come up with yet, but I still keep working on it.
