I can only tell you what I experienced once, after starting to use Rainx washer fluid - I replaced my wipers soon afterwards (Bosch, or Anco?) and within a 2-3 month period, the wiper edge started to peal away from the rest of the wiper and leave a sticky residue on the glass :mad: - Never had this happen before in any of my 40 years of driving - I assumed it was due to the Rainx as it was the only new addition to my routine. - No problems since then :thumbup:

OEM Wipers work GREAT
 

I think the OEM wipers on my 2005 X5 work great (BETTER THAN ANYOTHER CAR I HAVE OWNED).

I am a Rain X user and have used the washer fluid in my BMW with good results. The OEM wiper work great with or without Rain X. With Rain X the water beads off the windshield.

My X3 only has 5500 miles, but with all the rain recently, the wipers seem like they are 100k miles old. I want to get them replaced under BMW's free maintenance plan. Do I just have to go to the dealer and ask for new ones? Will I get any trouble since it is so soon?

My brother-in-law has the PIAA's on his e46 and says they are the best thing ever.

Does your X5 have the rain sensor? And if so, do you use Aquapel on the area over it?

FWIW, Consumer Reports tested blade and the Valeo 600 series and the RainX Lattitude came in 1st and 2nd place. The Bosch Icon was rated eight, and the PIAA Super Silicone was 7th.

Note: The RainX did not clean really great, but it had a long-life, cleaning the same after six months while all the others had declined measurably. So go for the Valeo 600 if you want the best cleaning action.

P.S. One side effect I have found with Rain X is that your windshield will frost-over more readily overnight outside. I guess the same properties that cause the moisture to "ball up" also tend to encourage frost development. I did a test one Fall, going into Winter, and treated only one side of the windshield with Rain X. On many mornings I would come out and find that the Rain X-treated side had frost on it that I had to scrape off, while the non-treated side was clear of frost.

Yeah I know. I posted the article that you are quoting from already on another thread. The test was done before the newest ones came out and IMHO is outdated information.

Good info on Rain-X though. They should fix that problem and come out with Rain-Y.

Bought the Bosch Icon, installed them, love them, recommend them.

Switched to the Bosch Icons, so far so good. Did need to remove the factory guide on the drivers side wiper arm that helped hold the blade down.

I'm up for a new pair of rubbers so I think i'm going to swap in the RainX ones.

Very useful information, thanks.

Seeing as how frost is an issue for Alberta almost 8 months of the year.