BMW E46 windshield wipers

[Tampa330i]

I was driving in the rain today for the first time and it feels like my wipers are not doing too good of a job. It also feels like someone might have done some type of rain-x on there because the water was beading off the top of the windshield as I brought it up in speed.
Our wipers are 2 different sizes I believe, can anyone confirm the lengths of each side? Does anyone have any suggestions for the best windshield wiper brand?

[danewilson77]

I think it may be 22/24......

I recommend Bosch Evo II.....

This is what ecs has.....but doesn't indicate the size...

http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E46-330i-M54_3.0L/Search/Wiper/ES10332/

They may both be the same. I can't remember. I will continue to look around...but I am sure someone else will answer up.

[Tampa330i]

Cool, thanks. I'm sure autozone can point me to the right ones, if they sell those. If not I've gotta order a cooling refresh from ecs, anyway. My intake will be here Wednesday if ups is reliable. They're still on sale and back in stock.

[az3579]

I went to advance auto to buy blades and they do not carry blades for E46's, for some reason. It's so weird. Apparently I have to get mine ordered.

[adb1028]

I got bosch icons from advanced auto when they were having a special on them. I think the sizes are 22/20. Just measure them to be sure.

[Linh]

Confirm 22/20 on the sizes. O'reillys had B1G1 for some Bosch wipers blades.

[gr330zhp]

I just buy the rubber inserts from Bav Auto. I like to keep the OE blades on my car because they have the wind deflector. You wouldnt think it does much til you change them

They used to be much cheaper than now, but still cheaper than other arms.

[Tampa330i]

I ended up going with these: http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E46-330i-M54_3.0L/Exterior/Wiper/ES10332/

[danewilson77]

Who makes them? Good deal. New wipers make me happy.

[kayger12]

Looks like bosch. I had a set on the 325. Liked them.

[danewilson77]

Bosch Evo II's???

[kayger12]

Bosch Evo II's???

Lol- just re-read the posts, spotted post#2 and realized you already posted those.

[danewilson77]

Yup.....I have lots of grace though...

[kayger12]

Yup.....I have lots of grace though...

No doubt. You spoon fed me twice and still resisted the urge to flame.

Now THAT'S a good guy.

[jjcools]

Be careful when asking auto parts stores. The last two sets I got from Autozone were an inch shorter than what was OEM. Very strange

[Tampa330i]

The ones I got from ECS fit perfectly and do an awesome job so far. I've only had them on maybe twice since I got them installed 2 weeks ago.

[kayger12]

The ones I got from ECS fit perfectly and do an awesome job so far. I've only had them on maybe twice since I got them installed 2 weeks ago.

Good to know. Just ordered some up yesterday.

[billschusteriv]

+1 for the factory wipers and wind deflector.

I love the performance of the RainX Latitude, Bosch Icon, and Michelin (equivalent).... but they really only work on the drivers side. They perform horribly on the passenger side - they don't maintain contact at bottom of the windshield on the outside edge and it annoys me. Dirt and streaking...

On the touring, I'm currently using the Bosch Icons in the front because one of the clips broke on my factory wipers. It no longer hold the blades in place. I still have them on my parts shelf - one of these days I'll buy the part to fix it.

The factory rear wiper works fine - got a whole new rear blade from BMW. It was rusty when I bought the car.

[Tampa330i]

I never changed the wipers on my mitsubishi, not once. I was pretty shocked the first time I swiped these and it cleared every spec of everything off the windshield. It's the first clean wiper job I've seen in some 5 years.

[MrMaico]

When I bought my car it needed new blades so I just went to Napa to get some inserts to tide me over until I needed to order some other things. They are just their generic inserts but they worked so good (quiet) for around $6 each that I never bothered to order OEM inserts. I did have to shorten the pass. side one a bit but you'd never know it was modified. They come in two different widths so I had to make sure to get the correct (narrower) one.

I'm not a fan of the look of those Icons etc. I much prefer the stock look of the OEM wipers but using the part number that ECS lists and checking it at a dealer website they show as NLA. It looks like BMW only sells an Icon style wiper now. So now I'm debating if I should order a set of those from ECS just to have a spare set on hand in case those become NLA someday. I've already had to replace a clip on one of mine, part #8 here.....

http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=BD53&mospid=47713&btnr=61_1065&hg=61&fg=45&hl=33

Happy New Year everyone.......Barry

[TRELO]

I put on a set of valeo oem wipers. Suck monkey balls. I need teh icon!


Opa iPhone

[knevor]

PIAA Super Silicone wiper blades, I have had them on both of my E46's. First thing I bought when I bought my current car.

[GSEN820]

I just put on some Bosch from Autozone works good for me seeing all this San Diego rain comes and goes

[holyc0w]

What wipers is everybody using these days?

Mine are getting annoyingly squeaky.

[JPMo]

I've got OEM (which work great) but I really want to try the PIAA super silicone. I've become super obsessive about having clear glass in the rain and if the silicon can help me not have to coat my glass, than I'm all for it.

Has anyone put PIAA silicon inserts on their OEM wipers?

[John in VA]

Has anyone put PIAA silicon inserts on their OEM wipers?

Member knevor did - posted it on 06/27/2011, three posts above your inquiry. He's been gone from here since 11/2011: http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showthread.php?432-BMW-E46-windshield-wipers&p=76617#post76617

[Dave1027]

OEM/BMW brand here too. You can get them online for about the same cost as any other

[holyc0w]

Any special German tricks required when replacing them?

[holyc0w]

I got the Bosch twin spoiler wipers. So far they are dead quiet and wipe well. It's a huge contrast to my old squeaky ones.

I'm not big on the Icon style wiper blades, as they seem not to distribute the pressure as evenly.

[dpark]

Just order the OEM replacements at FCPEuro and never pay for them again. They have a lifetime warranty on everything they sell. Once mine start streaking I just order a new pair, pay for them, then contact FCP for an RMA, ship my old ones back and they refund the purchase back on my credit card. Easy-peasy. Do the same thing with the cabin air filter and all brake pads and rotors.

I wish I had used them when I replaced my fuel pump and alternator (didn't know about them at the time), since those will probably go out again soon (they died at the 8 year mark and the car is 14 years old now).

I ordered my DISA from them and will be ordering my CCV replacements from them too. I know others have had issues with them, but I've had nothing but great service and am very happy with them.

[pedro2u]

I assumed the FCP lifetime warranty covered defects. But I just read their warranty. Wow, that's amazing. Even wear and tear items. Program works exactly as you explained........

[san]

I assumed the FCP lifetime warranty covered defects. But I just read their warranty. Wow, that's amazing. Even wear and tear items. Program works exactly as you explained........

Even engine oil and filter


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[BMWCurves]

Reminds me, I should warranty my old OEM Euro wipers from FCP before I leave for the 4th


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[pedro2u]

Question:

who pays for return freight when you RMA the old part(s)? They even take back fluids but they have to be in the returned bottles. Can't picture me sending back oil.... yet alone the return freight expense based on weight

[san]

Question:

who pays for return freight when you RMA the old part(s)? They even take back fluids but they have to be in the returned bottles. Can't picture me sending back oil.... yet alone the return freight expense based on weight

Return shipping is on you. I returned used oil using UPS for about $15...


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[Vas]

Question:

who pays for return freight when you RMA the old part(s)? They even take back fluids but they have to be in the returned bottles. Can't picture me sending back oil.... yet alone the return freight expense based on weight

Return shipping is covered by you.

I just did a return for an oil change kit from VA to their office in CT. Cost with UPS was roughly $10.

[pedro2u]

I think we're redefining "thrift"! I'm in!