1st Gen R53 Cooper S Wiper Blades - 1st Gen MINI- Recommendations

Discussion in '1st Generation: 2002–06 R50, R53 & 2004–08 R52' started by Nathan, Mar 3, 2013.

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  1. Nathan

    Nathan Founder

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    #1 Nathan, Mar 3, 2013
    For the longest time I used the OEM blades. Replaced them one time when I first moved to Ohio, ya see, it didn't rain much in TX and the MINI lived in a Garage. After the OEM blades I went with a Bosch Icon before this winter started. Not a fan. The passenger side blade misses a large swath of the window on the far right side. The left side one is about dead now too. Leaves streaks after only a few months. It has been a tough winter here though so it may be normal for it to be in this state with the use the blade has seen this season.

    Looking for a replacement that is not the Bosch Icon. Need to replace the entire blade at this point, not just a refill.

    What brands have served you well?

    Thanks
     
  2. sethat46

    sethat46 Well-Known Member

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    #2 sethat46, Mar 3, 2013
    I have always used rain x wipers but I recently bought the Trico Onyx blades and the passenger side doesn't want to lay down. However, they clean the window quite well with no streaking thus far. But I'm going back to rain-x; I find the wipers with the moon shape stay down the best any way.
     
  3. Dave.0

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    #3 Dave.0, Mar 3, 2013
    Last edited: Mar 3, 2013
    These are EXCELLENT Snow belt blades they last long time and don't miss the far passenger side of our extremely curved windshield.

    PIAA Super Silicone Wiper Blades

    PIAA Super Silicone Wiper Blades

    All those new Bosch Icon "bar /beem style" wipers are made for SVU's and cars with big flat windshields like a Honda Accord not cars with curved glass.
     
  4. Crashton

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    #4 Crashton, Mar 3, 2013
    I love my Bosch Ikons. Maybe that's because I'm not experiencing the problems you are Nathan. Parking outside kills wipers pretty fast. I put RainX blades on my son's Maytag. He likes them & I may buy a set to try on the MINI.
     
  5. rkw

    rkw Well-Known Member

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    #5 rkw, Mar 3, 2013
    I use the PIAA Super Silicone blades in combination with AquaPel (like Rain-X repellent, but lasts much longer). The two together work especially well.
     
  6. Nathan

    Nathan Founder

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    #6 Nathan, Mar 3, 2013
    It's not so much that they didn't last long. This is a tough place with all the construction dust lately, I get that. It's the fact the right side doesn't lay flat and misses so much.
     
  7. Steve

    Steve Administrator
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    #7 Steve, Mar 3, 2013
    :Thumbsup: here for PIAA Super Silicone. I actually bought the Super Sporza blades that have the little spoiler on them that's supposed to help keep them from lifting, etc, but I have no idea whether that helps at all. Both blades fit the glass with no missed spots/areas.

    I've had them on the car for something like 7-8 years now (in MD, not Ohio, but very rarely garaged) and the original silicone inserts still clear the glass like they did when new. I haven't even used any RainX (or equivalent) since applying the stuff that came with the blades when I installed them. They're sort of like a science experiment at this point, the metal frame has surface rust yet I can't get myself to replace them because I'm so amazed at how well they still work and I want to see how long they'll last. Turns out the relatively high purchase price was a real bargain.
     
  8. Crashton

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    #8 Crashton, Mar 3, 2013
    Even my oem blades missed the far right hand side of the screen. It's not a problem for me. Yep the dust will help eat the blades. When you use the wipers you grind the dust into the blades & screen. Not sure what the answer is.

    I've been meaning to try AquaPel sounds like a good product.

    Sounds like I should be trying the Piaa blades. Is there a special color of wiper fluid for those? :smile5:
     
  9. Nathan

    Nathan Founder

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    #9 Nathan, Mar 3, 2013
    Interesting. Just compared pricing at a few spots and OutMotoring beats even Amazon on a set of the PIAA Super Silicone, 18" for left, 19" for right.
     
  10. lotsie

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    #10 lotsie, Mar 3, 2013
    Yes those are the right sizes. I used 18" on both sides, as the last inch or so was ineffective anyway.
     
  11. Jason Montague

    Jason Montague New Member
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    #11 Jason Montague, Mar 3, 2013
    :cornut: PIAA's here too. At the time though I couldn't find a PIAA for the boot window so it's OEM.:Thumbsup:

    Jason

    OOPS- MARGI is 2nd generation(08 R56 BRG MCS/JCWm)
     
  12. SNEEEZY - Erika

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    #12 SNEEEZY - Erika, Mar 3, 2013
    Any interest in buying a gallon of Aquapel and having an "application party" at MOTD?
     
  13. Dave.0

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    #13 Dave.0, Mar 3, 2013
    Last edited: Mar 3, 2013
    18 for both sides and Blue is the correct washer fluid. :wink:

    I order from Tire Rack because a get them overnight since they are only down the road in Delaware.

    Just an FYI you can remove the white PIAA logos from the wiper arm with a little light wipe with acetone or lacquer thinner to keep the solid black OEM look.
     
  14. ScottinBend

    ScottinBend Space Cowboy
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    #14 ScottinBend, Mar 3, 2013
    Another great option for a USA company are the Silblades. Silicone wiper and a 5 yr warranty. I just recently replaced my 6 yr old ones as they finally started to show a little streaking. I can't say enough good things about them. You should really give them a look see.

    I also use the Auqapel, so that may help with the long life.
     
  15. ScottinBend

    ScottinBend Space Cowboy
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    #15 ScottinBend, Mar 3, 2013
    Unfortunately it is only available in the one time use applicators. The stuff can't be stored in contact with the air.
     
  16. Crashton

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    #16 Crashton, Mar 3, 2013
    ^^^ Mystery solved, that's the long & short of it. :D
     
  17. AliceCooper

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    #17 AliceCooper, Mar 3, 2013
    So the blades mentioned in the posts above I assume will work well here in the deep south ? or does anyone have a preference for blades down this way where the UV rays and extreme heat tear wipers up swiftly.
     
  18. mrntd

    mrntd Well-Known Member
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    #18 mrntd, Mar 3, 2013
    Chuck the detailing place we were at Saturday does AquaPel. They my windshield when I had the tint done. It is working very well.
     
  19. Jason Montague

    Jason Montague New Member
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    #19 Jason Montague, Mar 3, 2013
    :cornut: My PIAA's are 3yrs old. I'm in Sherman,Tx. No wear yet.:Thumbsup:

    Jason
     
  20. AliceCooper

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    #20 AliceCooper, Mar 3, 2013

    Very cool I will have to give those a whirl, Texas is going to be about the same climate wise as Florida I would think. :Thumbsup:
     
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