anyone else hate these pos wipers? is there an aftermarket wiper that works worth a crap?

 

i am with you...in a way. I took off my original wipers and replaced them with the super duper PIAA silicone models. A month or so later I went back to the MINI parts.

 

I have had no issues with mine so far and they get used....ALOT! But I am sure that I will be looking at replacements when spring time hits

 

All I have ever read it that no aftermarket wiper fits the windshield curve properly. But...I am happy w/my OEM ones. On my 2nd pair in 2 years & no complaints

 

I tryed a nice pair of michelen wipers and i curse them every time i need to use them. Guess i'll have to find the oem ones.

 

Really? What issues did you have with them?

I have had PIAAs now for about a month, been through a couple bits of nasty weather, and personally, I love them!


-Paul!

 

Hi,
I installed the Valeo wipers from The Tire Rack........

So far so good!!

 

I found a set of Bosche microedge that work great. I think they are actually different sizes. It's the rear wiper that I can't seem to get a replacement for and it's a total piece of garbage.

DJD

 

Don't forget that replacement wiper blades are free during the warranty period, even including installation.

 

Winter in Kansas City is brutal on any wipers, regardless the brand. My OEM wipers work pretty well, considering all the grime and salt! I have found that preping the windshield makes lots of difference. Rain-X works well.

 

I use the Rain-X washer fliud works great and I bought OEM blades. They work good but they're made of BMW gold ,you know!

 

JCW?


Mine were fine, short of shredding in Kansas...
Have you tried RainX or similar on the windshield?

 

I use PIAA Silicone 17" and they are beautiful... silent, no judder and fit perfectly. Bought mine from http://www.myminiparts.com/

 

Anyone seen the recent ad on TV for Rain-X wiper blades? ANybody have any experience with them? They claimed to curve to better make contact with windshield surfaces.

Ken

 

I agree with dimini, prep is the key. Next time you wash you car, run your bare fingers over the windshield just like an OC detailer does his paint. You are feeling for tiny little bits of grit and sap and anything that is not smooth.

You can claybar you windshield, but I have found that taking a flat razor (Home Depot about four inches wide with a plastic handle) and some soapy water and using it like an ice scraper will make your windshield very slick. Be careful with the razor near your rubber seals.

Also everytime you wash, be sure to raise your wiper blades and run your fingers down the rubber edge. Any roughness means you have some grit embedded or maybe a chunck of rubber is missing... any of this will give you a streaky result or worse, one tiny grain of sand embedded in the rubber can permanently scratch your windshield.

Most of the time I run my fingernail down the edge of the rubber part feeling for grit and hopefully dislodging it.

Contrary to some, I like RainX. I use the stuff directly out of the bottle and put at least two coats on. Then the hard part... you need to polish it off, and off, and off, until there is no haze. I don't add water when I polish. Also put some RainX on a paper towel and directly wipe down your rubber blades.

Most of the time I don't even turn on my wipers (not necessary) unless it is a real frog strangler.

Just my obversations.

YD

 

also, if your wiper blades are a bit worn, you can always "refresh" them with a rag with some vinegar on them, it only works a couple times, but helps extend their life. The vinegar eats the rubber away a bit, but it smooths the edge out.