OEM Wiper Blade Refills -- No Longer Made???

[zonefive]

I've tried aftermarket wiper blades including the Bosch icons and I didn't like them. The problem is that there is a wind deflector on the OEM driver's side, and without it, there is a distinct wind noise coming from the wipers without it.

So, I need wiper refills, but BMW doesn't make them any more. One is supposed to buy the entire arm, which is 40 bucks a side, just to get the rubber replaced. AYFKM??!!

Are there any non-OEM rubber refills that can fit? I can re-use the metal guides.

[X5SND]

Did you try here: OEM / Performance Parts for Audi, BMW, Mercedes Benz, Mini, Porsche & Volkswagen - ECS Tuning

Call them to confirm.

[zonefive]

Thanks! These are for 2004 on but I'm glad there are aftermarket alternatives.

I called two dealers and they told me that BMW no longer sells/manufactures that part for my car --

[X5SND]

^^why sell refills when we can sell the whole arm? (dealer logic)

[X5SND]

^^why sell refills when we can sell the whole arm? (dealer logic)

[TiAgX5]

You can pick up a set of Michelin Stealths from Walmart. The OE blade frames slip out of the arms and these slip right in.

[zonefive]

The Stealths or any other aftermarket blade do not have the wind deflector and therefore are unacceptable -- they make a very unpleasant noise at highway speeds.

[Qsilver7]

Originally Posted by zonefive

...So, I need wiper refills, but BMW doesn't make them any more. One is supposed to buy the entire arm, which is 40 bucks a side, just to get the rubber replaced. AYFKM??!!

Are there any non-OEM rubber refills that can fit? I can re-use the metal guides.

I know that the part data base says that the rubber refills are only for 9/2004-up...but a bit of detective work might discover a work around.

For instance, in the part nbr index...items #3, #4, #5 have no "date" restrictions...thus applies to all X5s. Item #6 for early build dates have ended...so the part required falls to the next line below...which also has no "date" restrictions.

But then when you look at item #7 (the rubber refill)...you again run into the 9/04 date restriction...but if the BMW rubber refills have the metal reinforcement rods that are designed for easy length selection with the pre-cut snap locations...then you may be able to adapt the refill to your pre 9/04 X5.

I would drive to my local BMWs parts dept and remove each wiper blade (#5 driver's & #6 passenger's) in the parking lot (make sure to protect your windshield from being damaged in case the arm snaps back down)...take them to the counter and ask to see the refills (#7 in the diagram & index) to see if the refill can be threaded through the "fingers" of each blade, and if needed...cut the rubber & snap the metal rod to length.

RealOEM.com * BMW E53 X5 4.4i WIPER ARM/WIPER BLADE


Below are some images of the old (NLA) no longer available value-line BMW rubber refills...perhaps item #7 in the diagrams is similar, and if so, may be able to be adapted to fit (just a guess...someone will need to be the trailblazer to find out)

[Ricky Bobby]

I replaced my stock wipers with the Bosch icons (424A and 422B) 2 years ago and have noticed no additional wind noise or negative effects, and with periodic cleaning of the blade itself when I wash the car to keep crud off of it, they usually last me years before needing to be changed.

I had Icons on my 99 VW VR6 Jetta 10 years ago, they lasted me 4 years strong and sold the car with them, no degradation whatsoever.

I guess your trials were different however with the E53, sorry to hear that, I think the Icons are great wipers!

[TiAgX5]

Originally Posted by zonefive

The Stealths or any other aftermarket blade do not have the wind deflector and therefore are unacceptable -- they make a very unpleasant noise at highway speeds.

??? The entire length of the stealth blade is a wind deflector.