1st Gen R53 Cooper S Wipers PIAA super silicones.....

Discussion in '1st Generation: 2002–06 R50, R53 & 2004–08 R52' started by west7, Dec 14, 2013.

  1. west7

    west7 Member

    Sep 17, 2011
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    For all those whose have used the PIAA wipers, did the 19" blade for the passenger side conform to the windshield properly? Did you put a super sporza 18" on the driver side to have the spoiler like the factory blade?
     
  2. Nathan

    Nathan Founder

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    I used these once, didn't like them. The passenger side did not conform with the curve of the windshield for me.

    I've gone back to using OEM wipers and replacing the inserts every few months.
     
  3. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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    I use them and just put 18" on each side. These are the only blades I use.
     
  4. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

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    I use Bosch Icon blades & have for years. The right hand blade does miss a bit of the lower right corner, not a problem for me. A big plus for me is they do not ice up like an open beam style blade does. A pair lasts me a year.

    Like Dave says an 18" blade on both sides is an option. Or do a front wiper delete & not have any wiper problems.
     
  5. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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    I really have considered the front wiper delete. You would be amazed at how much RainX and Aquapel clear the glass when driving. :eek:
     
  6. TheModFather

    TheModFather Well-Known Member

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    I thought about removing mine as well, but for an entirely different and more fun reason...

    Ultimately I decided against it. Given our sometimes freakishly un predictable weather patterns here in CO, I don't want to get caught in a quick moving shower without them. Now if I lived somewhere like Phoenix, or Barstow... No wipers or door glass for me. :)
     
  7. ScottinBend

    ScottinBend Space Cowboy
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    Loves my Aquapel!
     
  8. ZippyNH

    ZippyNH Well-Known Member

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    Piaa wipers seem to last forever....
    Have had a set on my car for several YEARS (forget which silicone ones)....got the curved frames from outmotoring...they fit/conform perfectly...has been reasonably freeze resistant in the ice, no streaking....pretty amazing... Best of all they fit like oem, but LAST!!!
     
  9. old81

    old81 Club Coordinator
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    With all this commentary, does Outmotoring handle the blade replacements for the PIAAs?

    TY... Don
     
  10. rkw

    rkw Well-Known Member

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    I don't see the refills on the Outmotoring site. I got PIAA refill blades from Amazon, about $9 each.
     
  11. ScottinBend

    ScottinBend Space Cowboy
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    I replaced my original OEM wipers when they got bad with Silblades......I just replaced those with my second set this past spring. Love them.
     
  12. CHKMINI

    CHKMINI Club Coordinator
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    If you need refills I suggest that you call Aaron and see if he has them.
     
  13. AAONMS

    AAONMS Well-Known Member
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    :ThreadJack:
    I’ve used rain-x for decades and other than a treatment does not last near as long as it did way back when, it still works well in the intended purpose.
    Can’t say I’ve ever heard of Aquapel.
    One a scale of 1 to rain-x, how well does Aquapel work?
     
  14. Savvy

    Savvy Well-Known Member
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  15. ScottinBend

    ScottinBend Space Cowboy
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    For me......RainX +10
     
  16. rkw

    rkw Well-Known Member

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    Here's a comparison by a MINI owner: http://www.jwardell.com/mini/2006/04/11/rain-x-vs-aquapel/

    and video:
    [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-qhq_AigpM"]Rain-X vs. Aquapel - YouTube[/ame]

    I have used both and found that Aquapel works at least as well as Rain-X, and lasts much, much longer.
     
  17. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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    If you are OCD about cleaning your car Rain-X will last as long as AquaPel. :devil:

    I put on Rain-X every time I detail my car.

    PS Rain-X works great on rims to keep brake dust from sticking.
     
  18. west7

    west7 Member

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    I'm leaning towards going back to oem. If tried the beam style blades but the miss a portion of the passenger side, as many are aware of, and while I don't use wipers very often I prefer full and even contact when I do. Does the use of aquapel or rainx improve the lifetime of the factory blades?
     
  19. west7

    west7 Member

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    Wow! I'll definitely try rainx on my wheels. It seems like I detail my can and the next time I drive it, I begin to see brake dust on my rims. Drives me nuts!
     
  20. Dave.0

    Dave.0 Helix & RMW Powered
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    If you dress your tires and make them shinny the overspray attracts the dust also. So make sure you polish / treat your rims after the tires are dressed.

    I put tire dressing on my tires before I wax or do the windows because that crap sticks to everything.
     

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