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

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.

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

Call them to confirm.

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 --

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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!

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