I use Bosch Icons - because they're pretty (they look VERY clean on the car) and work OK - if I was more interested in function than form, I would use PIAA probably.
Tripledge silicone blades. They come with a lifetime warranty. $4.99 shipping on replacement blades and no returns of the old blades.
I got some of the Bosch Micro Edge's when the stockers crapped out at like 12K miles. So far so good... 26K now. They do whistle when at the top position on the highway but its alright lol I tries the 'frameless' RainX ones, but they look rediculous...ill stick with the good ol tiny metal framed ones
I put on a set of PIAA at least 5 years ago, maybe 6. The metal bits are starting to rust a bit but I'm still on the original set of silicone inserts and they're still working perfectly!
It was my daily driver/commuter (2+ hour round trip) for at least the first three of those years, including all days when it wasn't actively snowing. I'm now retired (temporarily) so no commuting, but it's my vehicle of choice (unless I have to haul something) during all but the worst winter months here in MD. FWIW, it's spent at least 95% of its life parked uncovered and in the driveway or on the street (i.e., outside the garage) as well.
Hehehe. That's why I asked. 35 bucks for wipers seemed steep. However, 5-6 years and still going strong appears to be worth it. Thanks.
i had the same exact problems with factory wiper blades for the past year or so. and just recently i decided to change them. i bought me some PIAA sporza silicone blades and from the posts ive read so far, they're pertty amazing. i havent had the chance to try them out yet, but im sure by this fall season ill be using them frequently. i got mine from mossmini MossMini.com - Parts & Accessories for Your BMW Mini Cooper
Hmm, I've been thinking of picking these up as I have a set of the Rain-X wipers that I used for one 100km highway trip and hated them so much that I am back to my stock wipers with a new rubber insert from 2 years ago. Now that is definitely worn and I need to replace that... My boyfriend (Sideways on MA) uses the same Rain-X ones with success, but they keep lifting off the windshield for me at highway speeds... not on his Cooper though at the same speeds... weird! $35 isn't too bad for the PIAAs as the Rain-X were $40 bucks Canadian for the set at WalMart... :frown5: (and they've been in my boot in the package for over a year :mad2
That is weird. I can't imagine there's an S vice non-S reason for this. You may just have a set of wiper arms that work differently than his...that is, either his press harder toward the windshield than normal or yours are a bit weaker than normal...maybe. I tried the Rain-X wipers on a different car and the driver side wiper always left a spot in the middle of its range where it was as if there was a low spot in the windshield. When I had the windshield replaced (cracked) I told the installers about it and one said "that's easily fixed." I figured there was some sort of adjustment to the spring in the arm that I didn't know about. When they were done with the installation he lifted the wiper arm, grabbed it with both hands and bent it a little toward the windshield. I was expecting a less brute force method and you should have seen the look on my face! It caused the blade to push down harder and it worked perfectly after that! I'm NOT suggesting you do the same to your MINI.....
Ordered new wipers today Finally have to change the wipers on our 2007S. Factory warranty has expired so time to go aftermarket. There are so many different choices available so I did a Consumer Reports search and came up with Valeo 600s as the best wiper with 900 series about mid-pack. Went to the Valeo site and found out that the 800 series is OEM for European cars which are imported to the states. So I figured that was the ticket. Ordered a set from Amazon today and to my surprise the set comes with both 18" and 19" blades, perfect. Hopefully they will have the correct curve for the windshield and will last and perform well.
i will just repost what i wrote on NAM as it was pretty decent. Unless the blades were specifically tested on a mini cooper... to heck with consumer reports. (does help with blade quality though) I have used Bosch blades on every car i have owned since 1997... long life and great quality... HOWEVER: the actual blade holder type (refer to as a beam) needs to be matched to the windshield. The Evolution/Icon single beam style works great on a windshield that doesn't have any sharp curves(like the mini does, but i still bought the evolutions). Also the Evolution has a little flutter at rest "above legal speeds" but clears the windshield well. ;-) I will try the Bosch Excel + next year just to see if the non-beam style works better on the passenger side edge of windshield.