Wiper replacement choices

[Dave1027]

What's the best choice? I'm thinking the standard designs look better than the frameless but do they work as good? The frameless type requires a modification to the arms.

Stock BMW (http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E46-330Ci-M54_3.0L/Exterior/Wiper/ES169962/)

BMW EVO (http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E46-330Ci-M54_3.0L/Exterior/Wiper/ES256038/)

OEM type Bosch (http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E46-330Ci-M54_3.0L/Exterior/Wiper/ES10332/)

Bosch Icons (http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E46-330Ci-M54_3.0L/Exterior/Wiper/ES253179/)

[Vas]

I had good luck with Piaa silicone wipers.

[danewilson77]

I love the Bosch Icons. Currently rolling with 20"/22" RainX Latitudes.

"No flamesuit required"

[Just_George]

I just put the Bosch icons on the 330ci...they seem to make a lot more (wind) noise than the oems did. Might search for replacement rubber for the oem arms.

[NoVAphotog]

I have the ICONs, but might be going back to OEM, these have developed a NASTY habit of leaving an almost permanent streak mark at the end of the rotation, RIGHT in front of my eyes. Not sure what is causing it, but I know the previous OEMs did not do it regardless of how dirty my windshield was which I would guess is a contributing factor to the current issue. But even after a wash and through cleaning of the blades and glass, the next rain storm I use them for a bit and am left with a line mark where the passenger side blade stops.

[3ZHP]

I know our OEMs were discontinued a few years ago. Still not sure of what my next ones will be.


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[NoVAphotog]

I know our OEMs were discontinued a few years ago. Still not sure of what my next ones will be.


http://www.getbmwparts.com/partlocator/index.cfm?action=MorePartInfo&PartID=1145735&siteid=214672&catalogid=4462

[kayger12]

These:
http://www.amazon.com/Bosch-3397001394-Original-Equipment-Replacement/dp/B00167Y3ZO

[3ZHP]

Are replacement wiper inserts still available?


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[Dave1027]

Are replacement wiper inserts still available?

I read that refills can be purchased at the dealer. I need new complete blades because my old ones are showing their age. The plastic air deflector looks old and the metal frames have a small amount of rust.

[Simmsled]

These:
http://www.amazon.com/Bosch-3397001394-Original-Equipment-Replacement/dp/B00167Y3ZO

I have these and they are perfect.


Are replacement wiper inserts still available?


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Yup. Just have to trim them. Available at dealer and pretty much anywhere original parts are sold.

[3ZHP]

I have these and they are perfect.



Yup. Just have to trim them. Available at dealer and pretty much anywhere original parts are sold.

When I checked at a dealer last year the inserts were no longer available and you had to purchase complete new blade assemblies



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[ELCID86]

I got the OEM ones from BMW of Fairfax. They had to source them from Germany but came in within a week or two.


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[danewilson77]

These:
http://www.amazon.com/Bosch-3397001394-Original-Equipment-Replacement/dp/B00167Y3ZO

Great price as well.

The friendliest forum on the planet.

[3ZHP]

Thanks for the heads up, I just called my old dealer and they also said that BMW no longer offers them


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[derbo]

When I checked at a dealer last year the inserts were no longer available and you had to purchase complete new blade assemblies



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This is silly? I swear I just bought then. Granted I had to cut the inserts myself but I bought them for under 6 bucks.


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[ELCID86]

This is silly? I swear I just bought then. Granted I had to cut the inserts myself but I bought them for under 6 bucks.


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Same here. But they were about $14.

[Rovert]

That's all I use. Just the OEM wiper inserts. $12/year. They just work. LOL

[ELCID86]

Wow, if they are still availalbe, the price has sure gone WAY up.

http://www.bmwoffairfax.com/order-parts-online.htm
Part Number 61610037009
Part Name SET OF WIPER BLADES MSRP $37.15 Online Price $29.72

Or maybe this is what we want: 61617004901 (http://www.trademotion.com/parts/2006/BMW/330Ci/index.cfm?action=partDetail&section=ELECTRICAL&group=CHASSIS%20ELECTRICAL&subgroup=WIPERS&component=FRONT%20BLADE&partnumber=61617004901&vehicleid=187305&siteid=214697)

Online Price $14.92

[derbo]

weird i have these part numbers listed;

BMW OEM Wiper Refill Driver's Side (BMW P# 61-61-7-010-247) $5
BMW OEM Wiper Refill Passenger's Side (BMW P# 61-61-7-010-248) $5


but it doesn't exist anywhere I searched online. When I get them at the dealership parts store, it's usually the same piece anyways with new metal liners.


Also FYI,

61-61-8-233-577 is the plastic clip that tends to break all the time.

[prowlerflyer]

I have experimented with several different brands and surprisingly have gone back to the OEM wiper arms. For me, they offer the most consistent clean wipe, chatter resistance, and actually I like the look.

[Dave1027]

Yep, after considering the choices, I went with the stock replacement BMW blades. This way, next year I'll simply replace the inserts.

[derbo]

Yep, after considering the choices, I went with the stock replacement BMW blades. This way, next year I'll simply replace the inserts.

Inserts is the cheapest way to go. I never had problems with the open setup. Wipe rain x on the shield as well and it will be great for at least the year.


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[Snuffalufigus]

Icons work pretty well for me

[NoVAphotog]

I have experimented with several different brands and surprisingly have gone back to the OEM wiper arms. For me, they offer the most consistent clean wipe, chatter resistance, and actually I like the look.


Icons work pretty well for me

I've had ICONs for a few months now and while they were great for the first month or so, they've fallen quickly from grace considering the price point. The passenger side blade leaves a nasty streak mark when it stops right in the center of my vision...even RIGHT after cleaning the windshield and blades. OEM never did that...

[TheFinanceGuy]

I've had icon's on all of my cars. Had them on the Subaru for about 30 months with zero issues. I actually just bought a set for the X5. Trying something different for the ZHP.

[ELCID86]

OEM.

[johnrando]

I thought there was something about them not selling OEM ones anymore? :dunno

[ELCID86]

I thought there was something about them not selling OEM ones anymore? :dunno

I just got two sets of refills from BMW of Fairfax (via "Bruce the Courier").

[Snuffalufigus]

I've had ICONs for a few months now and while they were great for the first month or so, they've fallen quickly from grace considering the price point. The passenger side blade leaves a nasty streak mark when it stops right in the center of my vision...even RIGHT after cleaning the windshield and blades. OEM never did that...
Ahh okay makes sense. I just bought mine a couple weeks ago so I'm hoping that doesn't happen to me!

[danewilson77]

Icons work pretty well for me
+1

"No flamesuit required"

[Dave1027]

I went with the stock BMW blades mainly because I believe they conform to the windshield better. The frameless design imo is more rigid and for that reason does not have as even a contact.

[ryankokesh]

Recently picked up a pair of these PIAA SI-Tech (http://www.tirerack.com/wipers/detail.jsp?ID=1202&autoMake=BMW&autoModel=X3+3.0I&autoYear=2005&autoModClar=Standard+Model) wipers... they claim to not fit our car but they do. I think the wipers themselves are pretty on par with icons, but they come with this crazy little silicon-infused wipe thing that you put on like rain-x or something. The beading afterwards is just insane. I've honestly never seen anything like it. It's like rain-x on crack. I end up not even using the wipers because the water just beads off :facepalm

[Cadeez]

Not sure why everyone is having trouble finding the OEM wiper blades, or saying they don't make them anymore, because I just called my local dealership (Kuni BMW Portland) and they have a ton in stock for $33 a pair. Complete with the little wind fairing thing and everything, not sure if they are 23"/20" or 22"/20", but I suppose they are whatever BMW says came on the car. My 2 cents

[3ZHP]

They have changed the blade and that is what you need to buy now. These new ones have a different insert than the ones that came on our cars. Historically, I have bought inserts for $3 or $4 each and trimmed them to size. That ant happening any more. Now I have to buy new blades first, then I will be able to replace the new style inserts as needed.

[Cadeez]

Ahh, gotcha, makes sense. The parts guy did say they didn't carry the inserts... How much different can the blades really be? They're OEM BMW right? Or Bosch, either way? I live in Oregon, so I see about 200 days of rain per year, good wipers are a must up in herr! Not sure what crappy brand I have on now, probably Bosch Excels from Autozone. But they skip which is hugely annoying, plus the worst part is the drivers wiper misses a little piece in the bottom middle of my windshield where the Bermuda wiper triangle usually is, drives me up the freakin wall. I was gonna try Icons until I read this thread, plus I'd have to modify the drivers wiper arm...

[ELCID86]

BMW of Fairfax has both new wipers and replacement blades. I recently bought two sets of refills.

[ELCID86]

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-wiper-blade-set-e46-3397001394

[gregolas]

If you have the part numbers and can wait on shipping, Husker BMW in Nebraska is my go to place for parts (matches my employee discount when I worked at the dealer). As long as you have the wiper insert part number, they have them! I bought two sets (4 blades total for ~$22).

[johnrando]

Nice!

[ELCID86]

If you have the part numbers and can wait on shipping, Husker BMW in Nebraska is my go to place for parts (matches my employee discount when I worked at the dealer). As long as you have the wiper insert part number, they have them! I bought two sets (4 blades total for ~$22).

I have been using Husker recently. Very competitive prices indeed.


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[gregolas]

I have been using Husker recently. Very competitive prices indeed.


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The only issue most people have is the shipping time since they need to gather parts before they ship out your order. To me its worth the discount!