General "How To" Which Wiper Blades are right for my MINI?

We get a lot of questions at Mini Mania about wiper blades...

The MINI Cooper uses several different types of front wiper arms depending on the model and year of production. Each arm type requires a different replacement wiper blade, and the drivers and passenger sides use different length wiper blades. This guide lists the different arm types, which models use them, which MINI factory replacements are suitable and the installation instructions for each.

First Things First - Understanding Arm Types

Over the years, MINI Cooper has modified and changed their wiper blades so that it almost takes an engineering degree to replace them. However... if you know some of the fundamentals, it makes replacement a whole lot easier.

Wiper Blade Arms For MINI Coopers

There are five different Front Windshield Wiper Arm Types on the MINI and depending on your MINI, one of these types fits it.

Which Type of Arm Blade Fits Your Mini?

J-Hook "Old" Style
For the Gen1 MINIs it’s pretty easy. They all used the same J-Hook Blade ("Old" style)

R50 Hardtop (2002-2006)

R52 Convertible (2005-2008)

R53 Hardtop (2002-2006)

As did the early year Gen2s (2007 – 2012)

R55 Clubman (2008-2012)

R56 Hardtop (2007-2012)

R57 Convertible (2009-2012)

As the name suggests, the end of this wiper arm is shaped like the letter "J". The wiper blade gets 'hooked' onto the J.

Bayonet
This Wiper Arm is a simple rectangular blade. To remove the wiper blade, squeeze the tabs on the sides of the arm and pull the blade off. For installation, the wiper blade simply slides onto the arm until it 'clicks' in place.

Bayonet Wiper Arms fits these later year Gen2 models (2013 – 2015) :

R55 Clubman (2013-2014)

R56 Hardtop (2013)

R57 Convertible (2013-2015)

Pinch Tab
This arm has two components. The Tab at the end to position the blade, and the wings that are 'pinched' to release the blade so it can be pulled straight off. For installation, the tab at the end is inserted into the wiper arm and the blade is swung into the arm until the wings 'snap' into place securing the blade.

Pinch Tabs wiper blades are used on:

R58 Coupe (2012-2015) and R59 Roadster (2012-2015) used this Pinch Tab Wiper Arm

And the R60 Countryman (2011-2016) and R61 Paceman (2013-2016) used this Pinch Tab Arm

GEN 3 F-Series Windshield Wiper Blades used an assortment of wiper blade arms.

Top Button
This arm has a square opening on top for the release button. Press the square button and pull the blade off. For installation, the wiper blade slides onto the arm until the button pops through the opening and clicks into place.

Top Button Wiper Arms fit F54 Clubman (2016-2020)

J-Hook "New" Style The "New" J-Hook used by MINI are for the F55 Hardtop (2015-2020), F56 Hardtop (2014-2020) and F57 Convertible (2016-2021)


End Button
This arm has a square opening for a release button at the end of the arm. To remove the blade, press the button on the end and pull the blade away from the arm. To install, line up the 'hooks' with the wiper blade, then press the blade against the arm until it 'snaps' in place.

End Button Wiper Arm fits F60 Countryman (2017-2022)

Curious what wiper blade fits your MINI check out this APPLICATION GUIDE
For MORE detailed information including images read more HERE


What Wiper Blades do you like best for your MINI?