[BM57]

I'm looking for replacement wiper blades that are better than the original BMW ones. I'd like them to be smooth, chatter free, flexible, have an aerodynamic spoiler, low profile, good for 4 seasons, high quality, and known to work well with the F3x.

I suspect some members will say that they have their wiper blades replaced annually for free at the dealer. Please keep in mind that wiper blades are not included with the BMW Maintenance Program in Canada, so we have to pay for them unless a person buys into the BMW Service Inclusive Plus program for additional $ (which covers wiper blades, brake rotors, and brake pads which are all otherwise not included with the 4 year new car warranty.)

I've read some of the older threads and several people have mentioned that they weren't satisfied with the original BMW wipers. There are many other choices of wiper blade manufacturers to choose from including Bosch, Michelin, PIAA, Rain-X, Trico, ANCO, Valeo, AERO, SilBlade, AC Delco, etc...

What brand do you guys have and how do you like them? I'm considering the Bosch Icon (Left 24OE & Right 19OE). Below are some links about them:

ICON Product Features and Benefits / Blade Quality
https://www.boschautoparts.com/docum...f-5ef8eddcc017

ICON Beats the Competition in Blade Durability
https://www.boschautoparts.com/docum...0-6af2d4ed0a6b

ICON Connection Types & Arm Lengths
https://www.boschautoparts.com/docum...8-5c717ee68f14

ICON Consumer Brochure
https://www.boschautoparts.com/docum...9-9b958d9cf818


However, I read in other threads that some members bought the Bosch Aerotwin wiper blades. Any reason why they didn't choose the ICONs? Which one's are better for the F3x, the ICON or the AeroTwin?


Here are some pics of the Bosch ICON:













Here are some pics of the Bosch AeroTwin:













For anyone who cares to read some wiper blade reviews:

The Best Windshield Wipers for Your Car
http://thewirecutter.com/reviews/bes...-for-your-car/

Best Windshield Wiper in 2016 - Windshield Wiper Reviews
https://thoroughlyreviewed.com/home-...-wiper-review/

Top 10 Best Wiper Blades in 2016 Reviews
http://topbestviral.com/top-best-wiper-blades-reviews/

The 5 Best Wiper Blades
http://www.comparaboo.com/best-wiper-blades

Best Wiper Blades 2016
http://wiperbladeguide.com/

Top 10 Best Windshield Wipers In 2016
http://www.tenbestreview.com/automot...shield-wipers/

Best Wiper Blades
https://bestseekers.com/best-wiper-blades/

Wiper blades tested: windscreen wipers product - Auto Express
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/accesso...s-product-test

Best Wiper Blade Buying Guide - Consumer Reports
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/w...ying-guide.htm

[Emilim]

Originally Posted by BM57

I'm looking for replacement wiper blades that are better than the original BMW ones. I'd like them to be smooth, chatter free, flexible, have an aerodynamic spoiler, low profile, good for 4 seasons, high quality, and known to work well with the F3x

I know you put a lot of work into organizing your post, but I'll just put this out there first: the original OE blades fit your description the best.

I know you asked for an alternative, but imo if price wasn't an issue there's little reason to go aftermarket when it comes to the wiper blades.

[spuntyb]

Aerotwins for me. I was using the PIAA's but they didn't work well with the aquapel that I put on the glass. Plus they were $80 a pop. Lots of streaking and noise, so not worth the $. Switched to the aerotwins and haven't looked back. No noise, no streaking. OEs weren't terrible, but they would wear out in like 6 months. The aerotwins aren't much more and they streak slightly less than OE.

[Dang3r]

I use SWF, thats OEM stuff and is working perfect for my car.

[BM57]

Originally Posted by Emilim

I know you put a lot of work into organizing your post, but I'll just put this out there first: the original OE blades fit your description the best.

I know you asked for an alternative, but imo if price wasn't an issue there's little reason to go aftermarket when it comes to the wiper blades.

I don't mind buying the Genuine BMW blades if they are the best option. It's only because I read that so many members had found other brands to be better than the Genuine ones that made me want to find the better alternative.

[BM57]

Originally Posted by spuntyb

Aerotwins for me. I was using the PIAA's but they didn't work well with the aquapel that I put on the glass. Plus they were $80 a pop. Lots of streaking and noise, so not worth the $. Switched to the aerotwins and haven't looked back. No noise, no streaking. OEs weren't terrible, but they would wear out in like 6 months. The aerotwins aren't much more and they streak slightly less than OE.

I saw that thread "http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1082645" where you mentioned that you were buying the PIAA wipers because you weren't happy with the Genuine wipers. I guess you found out afterwards that you weren't happy with the PIAAs either and switched to the Bosch Aerotwin. That's the benefit of trying many different wipers yourself it makes it easier to choose what works best for you.

Are you still using Aquapel?

[BM57]

Originally Posted by Dang3r

I use SWF, thats OEM stuff and is working perfect for my car.

I didn't see SWF advertised here and so I did a little research. I found out that SWF stands for "Spezial Werkzeugfabrik Feuerbach" and they've been around since the 1920s according to this site: http://www.wiperblades.co.uk/swf-wipers/

It appears that SWF wipers are marketed through Valeo as an 800 series wiper:
http://www.valeoserviceusa.com/produ...800-swf-series

I found several listings for wipers to fit my car in the Valeo catalog but not the SWF wipers:
http://www.valeoserviceusa.com/catalog
http://www.valeoserviceusa.com/products/wiper-systems


So I went to the German site:
https://www.swf-wischer.de/de/neuigkeiten/pkw

and then to the SWF Catalog:
http://www.valeoservice.com/data/mas...72.pdf?rnd=286

Do you have the HBlade? VisoiFlex?

[Dang3r]

Uh, oh
You did a lot of German language research, I didnt mind that by posting the link. But to answer your question, its them here.

[BM57]

Originally Posted by Dang3r

Uh, oh
You did a lot of German language research, I didnt mind that by posting the link. But to answer your question, its them here.

I thought it might have been the Visioflex. Thanks for the link

That seems like a reasonable price (39,99 € is about $60 Canadian or $45 U.S. Dollars.)

This is what the prices are for the wiper blades I've been looking at:

BMW Genuine wiper blade (set) Part number 61 61 2 241 375 :
MSRP $100.00 Canadian + Tax [Total price $112.00]

compare to U.S. price:
MSRP $58.35 in U.S. and Online price is $46.68


Bosch Icon 24OE Left and 190OE Right sold at Canadian Tire for:
Bosch Icon 24OE $26.99 + Tax [Total price $30.23]
Bosch Icon 19OE $24.99 + Tax [Total price $27.99]


Bosch AeroTwin sold as a set at Canadian Tire for:
Bosch AeroTwin (Part Number : 3397118929) $64.99 + Tax [Total price $72.79]

[Rick4345]

I use the Bosch Icon on my E46.

I'm pleased with them and will put them on my f30.

[spuntyb]

Originally Posted by BM57

I saw that thread "http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1082645" where you mentioned that you were buying the PIAA wipers because you weren't happy with the Genuine wipers. I guess you found out afterwards that you weren't happy with the PIAAs either and switched to the Bosch Aerotwin. That's the benefit of trying many different wipers yourself it makes it easier to choose what works best for you.

Are you still using Aquapel?

I still use the aquapel. Bought a bulk package of the break-pack applicators a while back and still have a few left.

[BavarianFanatic]

I've tried the aftermarket variants and none seem to hold up or work as well as the genuine article. They're expensive, but work better when compared to the alternatives.

[BM57]

Originally Posted by spuntyb

I still use the aquapel. Bought a bulk package of the break-pack applicators a while back and still have a few left.

Thanks. I just wanted to make sure.

Btw I called Bosch and they said that the AeroTwin wipers are what they consider to be an equivalent product to the oem BMW wipers and are a great product. They also mentioned that the ICON is a more premium solution and has an advantage over the AeroTwin because of a better rubber material used in them which gives them greater longevity. The best part is that the ICONs are cheaper in Canada than the Aerotwins and are half the price of the Genuine BMW wipers

[BM57]

Originally Posted by BavarianFanatic

I've tried the aftermarket variants and none seem to hold up or work as well as the genuine article. They're expensive, but work better when compared to the alternatives.

Out of curiosity, have you tried the Bosch ICONs?

[BavarianFanatic]

Originally Posted by BM57

Out of curiosity, have you tried the Bosch ICONs?

Yes. Interestingly, fitment was poor (on our E61). The blade didn't engage firmly on the wiper arm so the blade would "flop" a bit during use. I think I picked up an OEM set after about the 3rd time I drove the car in the rain. It was very annoying.

[BM57]

Originally Posted by BavarianFanatic

Yes. Interestingly, fitment was poor (on our E61). The blade didn't engage firmly on the wiper arm so the blade would "flop" a bit during use. I think I picked up an OEM set after about the 3rd time I drove the car in the rain. It was very annoying.

Thanks for sharing your experience.

[JuanF30]

I just got a pair of new BOSCH ICON wipers but i cant find the way to install them to my F30.
Can anyone help me please?
I have looked in google and youtube, but dindt have luck

[kingmonkey8]

Originally Posted by JuanF30

I just got a pair of new BOSCH ICON wipers but i cant find the way to install them to my F30.
Can anyone help me please?
I have looked in google and youtube, but dindt have luck

Did you get a set of plastic adapters with the wipers?
You need to use the correct adapter for the BMW wiper arms.

[JuanF30]

Originally Posted by kingmonkey8

Did you get a set of plastic adapters with the wipers?
You need to use the correct adapter for the BMW wiper arms.

I just ordered from amazon.
They are BOSCH ICON 19B, 24A.
I was looking from google and saw another one but its "19OE".
Does the letters after the numbers mean anything?
Sorry but im new in these

[kingmonkey8]

Originally Posted by JuanF30

I just ordered from amazon.
They are BOSCH ICON 19B, 24A.
I was looking from google and saw another one but its "19OE".
Does the letters after the numbers mean anything?
Sorry but im new in these

Did you not get a set of adapters in the box. There should be a BMW one.
the one on at the moment doesn't look like a BMW one. You need to replace with the BMW adapter.

Make sure you put the wipers into service mode first so you can lift the wipers, otherwise you can scratch the top edge of your bonnet.

[kingmonkey8]

Originally Posted by JuanF30

I just ordered from amazon.
They are BOSCH ICON 19B, 24A.
I was looking from google and saw another one but its "19OE".
Does the letters after the numbers mean anything?
Sorry but im new in these

Looking at your wipers I don't think you have the correct wipers. These look like the universal ones.
You need to exchange them for ones that fit or come with the adapters for BMW cars.

As per the first post. You need to get the Bosch Icon 24OE & 19OE
the 24 and 19 is the size and the OE is the fitment.

[Billfitz]

The OEM wipers are perfectly OK, and at this price there's no reason to look elsewhere:
https://www.bmwpartswholesale.com/oe...ItMGwtbDQtZ2Fz