silly windshield wiper questions - New 2009 2010 BMW Z4

tranquility · 10-23-2011, 03:24 PM

What do you do to maintain them, just a simple wipe-down of the blades? How often do you replace them and do you buy oem or aftermkt (if so, what brand is good)? Do I replace the whole arm or just the rubber blades? Thx.

jparnes1 · 10-23-2011, 05:18 PM

they're covered under warranty once a year for your first 4 years. Maintenance? No idea.

z4z4z4 · 10-24-2011, 04:00 PM

http://www.rainx.com/Tips_Information/Maintenance.aspx

cdeslandes · 10-24-2011, 04:20 PM

You need to replace just the inserts. As mentioned above new inserts are covered under free maintenance once a year - at least in the U.S.

I personally lift my wipers off the windshield if I park the car and freezing precipitations are forecast. That way they don't stick before I had a chance to clean the windshield. That's the only "maintenance" I can think of.

tranquility · 11-20-2011, 04:24 PM

The inserts as in the 2 rubber squeegee things? How much do they cost and I guess I can get them anywhere?

STOOF · 11-20-2011, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdeslandes

You need to replace just the inserts. As mentioned above new inserts are covered under free maintenance once a year - at least in the U.S.

I personally lift my wipers off the windshield if I park the car and freezing precipitations are forecast. That way they don't stick before I had a chance to clean the windshield. That's the only "maintenance" I can think of.

+1

If i know snow is coming i lift the wiper arms so the blades dont freeze in that position.

Memphis1 · 11-20-2011, 10:07 PM

you guys realize the bottom of the windshield is heated so that the wipers don't stick, right??

toplessrydr · 11-20-2011, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by z4z4z4

http://www.rainx.com/Tips_Information/Maintenance.aspx

+1

Apply RainX to the glass as well. Works great.......you might not even need to use the wipers in light rain.

STOOF · 11-21-2011, 12:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Memphis1

you guys realize the bottom of the windshield is heated so that the wipers don't stick, right??

not overnight when the car is off

tranquility · 02-16-2012, 01:59 AM

Should I just buy from the dealer the squeegee part: I tried to shop at other auto stores and they don't have that shape of rubber squeegee...it's so damn annoying: can't they just make one w/ the same shape?

Anyone manage to buy just the rubber squeegee part other than from the dealer? Which one? Thx.

jparnes1 · 02-16-2012, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toplessrydr

+1

Apply RainX to the glass as well. Works great.......you might not even need to use the wipers in light rain.

I've tried Rainx but didn't like it. It leaves a coating on the glass that's thick enough to show little specks when it's hit by particles in the air. After a week there are all these specks that can't be wiped off without removing the Rainx.

toplessrydr · 02-28-2012, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jparnes1

I've tried Rainx but didn't like it. It leaves a coating on the glass that's thick enough to show little specks when it's hit by particles in the air. After a week there are all these specks that can't be wiped off without removing the Rainx.

I never notice a problem like you stated but that does not mean it doesn't happen. The RainX will wear off. As for the spots, could it be on the glass prior to you applying the RainX? If you are still having problems with the spot try BioClean. We have it here on the west coast. It's one of the better product I've used on glass to remove stains and water spots.

tranquility · 10-23-2012, 07:40 PM

So do you just replace the whole unit or just the inserts because I can't find the inserts in stores (unless they sell them at the dealer)...not sure if there are less expensive options or just get a better aftermkt model?

tranquility · 11-06-2012, 07:57 PM

Do you guys just swallow the bullet, those OEM wipers costs like $80!!! However, not sure if aftermkt ones are a perfect fit since the 2 wipers are not equal length. Any other recommendations?

Crazykoh · 11-07-2012, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tranquility

Do you guys just swallow the bullet, those OEM wipers costs like $80!!! However, not sure if aftermkt ones are a perfect fit since the 2 wipers are not equal length. Any other recommendations?

Last time I bought wipers they were sold singly. So you buy the two different lengths to match the car.

rking117 · 11-07-2012, 04:36 PM

at most auto part stores you can purchase generic refill blades that snap off to the right length. They usually put them on for me with purchase and cost something like $5.00 USD. dont stress over cleaning the blades replace them every March or April. you pick the month.

Dr Stig 2 · 11-09-2012, 02:40 PM

My dealer rubs them down with carbon powder. It softens them up and cleans them. They are as good as new. They do it every six months or whenever I drop in.
Here they charge $200 for a pair of OEM. Ouch

z4z4z4 · 11-09-2012, 09:05 PM

I recently replaced mine with the latest RainX model, the Latitude. I believe they cost about $45. The sizes recommended were 22" and 19", but the only issue is the passenger side blade does not conform to curvature of windshield on the outboard lower surface....as if a bit long. I chose them after experiencing our new 2012 740Li that came with the equivalent.

10-23-2011, 03:24 PM	#1
tranquility sportscars only Drives: 2011 Z4 sDrive 35i Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Toronto Posts: 1,175 iTrader: (0)	silly windshield wiper questions What do you do to maintain them, just a simple wipe-down of the blades? How often do you replace them and do you buy oem or aftermkt (if so, what brand is good)? Do I replace the whole arm or just the rubber blades? Thx.
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10-23-2011, 05:18 PM	#2
jparnes1 Major Drives: 2006 525xi, 2012 Z4 35i Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 1,005 iTrader: (0)	they're covered under warranty once a year for your first 4 years. Maintenance? No idea. __________________ 2006 525xi, Orient Blue Metallic, Beige leather, Dark Poplar trim, Premium Package, Cold Weather Package 2012 Z4 35i, ED 2/24/2012, Melbourne Red Metallic, Black Leather, Carbon Trim, 6MT, ///M Sport, CW, PP, PS, NAV, CA, Alpine HID Angel Eyes, pedal covers, stubby antenna.

10-24-2011, 04:00 PM	#3
z4z4z4 First Lieutenant Drives: 2002 M3, 2011 Z4, & her 740Li Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: mild mediterranean breezes Posts: 391 iTrader: (1)	http://www.rainx.com/Tips_Information/Maintenance.aspx __________________

10-24-2011, 04:20 PM	#4
cdeslandes Captain Drives: 2010 Z4 s35i Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Connecticut Posts: 648 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2013 Volvo XC90 [0.00] 2010 BMW Z4 sDrive35i [5.00]	You need to replace just the inserts. As mentioned above new inserts are covered under free maintenance once a year - at least in the U.S. I personally lift my wipers off the windshield if I park the car and freezing precipitations are forecast. That way they don't stick before I had a chance to clean the windshield. That's the only "maintenance" I can think of. __________________ 2010 BMW Z4 s35i 2013 Volvo XC90

11-20-2011, 10:07 PM	#7
Memphis1 Lieutenant Colonel Drives: Z4 SDrive 35i Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: CT Posts: 1,843 iTrader: (0)	you guys realize the bottom of the windshield is heated so that the wipers don't stick, right?? __________________

11-20-2011, 04:24 PM	#5
tranquility sportscars only Drives: 2011 Z4 sDrive 35i Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Toronto Posts: 1,175 iTrader: (0)	The inserts as in the 2 rubber squeegee things? How much do they cost and I guess I can get them anywhere?

02-16-2012, 01:59 AM	#10
tranquility sportscars only Drives: 2011 Z4 sDrive 35i Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Toronto Posts: 1,175 iTrader: (0)	Should I just buy from the dealer the squeegee part: I tried to shop at other auto stores and they don't have that shape of rubber squeegee...it's so damn annoying: can't they just make one w/ the same shape? Anyone manage to buy just the rubber squeegee part other than from the dealer? Which one? Thx.

10-23-2012, 07:40 PM	#13
tranquility sportscars only Drives: 2011 Z4 sDrive 35i Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Toronto Posts: 1,175 iTrader: (0)	So do you just replace the whole unit or just the inserts because I can't find the inserts in stores (unless they sell them at the dealer)...not sure if there are less expensive options or just get a better aftermkt model?

11-06-2012, 07:57 PM	#14
tranquility sportscars only Drives: 2011 Z4 sDrive 35i Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Toronto Posts: 1,175 iTrader: (0)	Do you guys just swallow the bullet, those OEM wipers costs like $80!!! However, not sure if aftermkt ones are a perfect fit since the 2 wipers are not equal length. Any other recommendations?

11-07-2012, 04:36 PM	#16
rking117 Lieutenant Drives: Z4 3.0i & 128i Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Central Florida Posts: 435 iTrader: (0)	at most auto part stores you can purchase generic refill blades that snap off to the right length. They usually put them on for me with purchase and cost something like $5.00 USD. dont stress over cleaning the blades replace them every March or April. you pick the month.

11-09-2012, 02:40 PM	#17
Dr Stig 2 Criminally Insane Drives: Like a Demon! Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 1,458 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 BMW X3 30D M-S ... [5.00] 2010 BMW Z4 35is [5.00]	My dealer rubs them down with carbon powder. It softens them up and cleans them. They are as good as new. They do it every six months or whenever I drop in. Here they charge $200 for a pair of OEM. Ouch __________________ Dr Stig 2010 Z4 35is 2011 X3 30d M Sport Australia

11-09-2012, 09:05 PM	#18
z4z4z4 First Lieutenant Drives: 2002 M3, 2011 Z4, & her 740Li Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: mild mediterranean breezes Posts: 391 iTrader: (1)	I recently replaced mine with the latest RainX model, the Latitude. I believe they cost about $45. The sizes recommended were 22" and 19", but the only issue is the passenger side blade does not conform to curvature of windshield on the outboard lower surface....as if a bit long. I chose them after experiencing our new 2012 740Li that came with the equivalent. __________________

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