My pet peeve is worn out or bad wiper blades and my MINI is at that stage right now. They are driving me nuts.

I am still under warranty and think I might get FREE ones from Autohaus, but am willing to pay for good ones.

Anyone know a good brand?

Saw this one:(but wanted to get your opinions)
PIAA SUPER SPORZA WIPER BLADES

For Your 2005 Mini Cooper Mini Cooper

 

AutoHaus will replace them if told during service intervals. PIAA SS are good blades. Especially if the are synthetic will last longer and wipe really clean.

 

I had PIAA on my e30.. Really nice, Love em. BOSCH Micro edge are really good too is you dont mind the $13 /ea

 

Bosch Micro Edge are good. PIAA Super Silicone blades are great. Tire Rack seems to have them on sale now. The Super Sporza's have airfoils like the OEM blades but they come only in 19" or larger. I have two 19s on Artoo and love them. The regular PIAA SS come in 18 and 19.

The PIAAs are not cheap but, IMO, well worth the money.

Rich

 

Thanks Fellow MINI-ITES!

 

I, also, have a question concerning blades. All of my replacements have been under warranty so far, so I have yet to replace them on my own. So, can you just pick up a set of Bosch at Autozone and change them yourself? Are they difficult to change? I apologize for such a silly question but for some reason I really seem to struggle changing wiper blades and was wondering what I might be getting into with the MINI. Thanks.

 

The Bosch blades fit fine on a MINI.

Mark

 

I highly recommend the Bosch Icon's. I'm on my second set now after 2 1/2 years and 2 Mini's and really like what they do.

http://www.boschautoparts.com/Produc...lades/Icon.htm

 

This is going to sound crazy, but clay bar and wax your windscreen. Also, take some warm water on a sponge and clean the blades themselves. You'll be amazed at what these steps can do!

 

as crazy as that sounds, that does make alot of since. the less contaminants in the windshield the less debris you wipers have to "scrape"..

good call, how did you come across that dare I ask?

 

This is the key...

In my opinion, merely keeping the windshield clean (with a sponge/squeegy thing), esp before it rains, will preserve wiper blades the best. What kills them is swiping across a sandy/gritty surface. Every couple of days (if it hasn't rained), I'll also pinch/slide my fingers along both front blades to remove the sand/grit that accumulates. Forget the rear blade though, that gets hopelessly gritty within a few miles.

I do wax all windows except the windshield. I just couldn't image putting any type of abrasive to windshield due to the risk of hazing (but then again, I've never "clayed" anything before), and I've had smearing problems in the past with windshield treatments like RainX.

 

1. 2. & 3.

1. Go to the detailing forum here on NAM and listen to anything BradB has to say!

2. Claying is the single best car detailing product/method to ever come about. I would suggest searching on it and giving it a try. (Mothers makes a great kit to get you started.)

3. Wax is not an abrasive (polishing waxes are to a certain extent). But think about it, glass is a hell of a lot harder than your clear coat and waxes are safe on that. And I've had more troubles with Rain-X hazing (and wearing off quickly) than I have wax. I've used NuFinish wax (a cleaner + synthetic wax that's tough as nails) on my wheels windows for years with fantastic results. The painted areas of the body always got more 'fancy' stuff.

Have fun!!

 

Adam,

Do you have something over there to practice your detailing obsession on?

Mike

 

Not at the moment. I have to give detailing advice by memory!

Owning and operating a car while living and working in London is a pricey and scary proposition! But maybe I'll pick up something to ship home at the end of our stay here...

 

Save your clay for your paint! Use glass cooktop polish on your outside glass. Most appliance stores have it.

NOTHING I have used does as good a job on cleaning outside glass as cooktop polish. Stoner's Invisible Glass for the inside.

I am using the Bosche ICONs.