X3 Window Wipers

[chuck abbott]

Has anyone had problems with their wipers on the X3? On a late summer trip my wife remarked about how poorly the wippers performed, leaving streaks on the window. At the time I thought it was maybe some substance on the glass that was making the blades sub par.

It is now winter and I can tell you that these wipers are going in the bin. Just did 450 miles in bad snow conditions and the wipers do not perform well. Moving across the window OK then moving back juddering and making a racket all the way. I have looked at them, cleaned them, but nothing seems to make a difference. I think the blades are not wide enough, and that makes them too stiff.

Now if I could buy a shop manual for this vehicle I could get these wipers off without botching up my new car.

Are you listening BMW.

Chuck Abbott

 

[x3me]

They Suck!

Has anyone had problems with their wipers on the X3? On a late summer trip my wife remarked about how poorly the wippers performed, leaving streaks on the window. At the time I thought it was maybe some substance on the glass that was making the blades sub par.

It is now winter and I can tell you that these wipers are going in the bin. Just did 450 miles in bad snow conditions and the wipers do not perform well. Moving across the window OK then moving back juddering and making a racket all the way. I have looked at them, cleaned them, but nothing seems to make a difference. I think the blades are not wide enough, and that makes them too stiff.

Now if I could buy a shop manual for this vehicle I could get these wipers off without botching up my new car.

Are you listening BMW.

Chuck Abbott

I've had mine replaced once already in just over three months, will get them swapped out this week too. They are terrible quality, is this typical of BMW?

 

[BigO1120]

I agree...the blades suck!!



I've noticed that too about the wipers of my X3. They leave constant streaks and they are the worst when it comes to misty rain. I hate them. I've wiped them down to see if there was any residue on the blades but that doesn’t work. I noticed the rear wiper is of poor quality too. I live in the East Coast and the weather has been getting bad so I do plan on getting the blades replaced. The one thing I cannot stand is when the wipers judder across the window on the return stroke.

So to answer your questions, I think that it’s a known issue with the X3s. I’ve test driven the X5, 325i, and Z4 (all in the rain) and I don’t recall the quality of the blades being as bad as the ones on the X3.

Hope this helps a little.

 

[BigO1120]

Does anyone know a good brand of wipers to replace the crappy ones that came with the X3 (from the front and rear windshields)? I just snowed yesterday where I live and the wipers did a terrible job in the snow. I need to get rid of them and replace them with some new ones ASAP before we get hit with some severe snow again.

Thanks!

 

[Militant-Grunt]

Michelin wipers are VERY good, i use them on my Land Rover discovery, never had a problem, most expensive and highest quality =)

 

[BigO1120]

I'm going to try the Michelin's (THANK YOU MILITANT-GRUNT). Has anyone brought this to the attention of their dealer and have they done anything about it?

 

[Jonesie]

My front wipers have been ok, but the back wiper is awful.

 

[LoMo987]

What about Bosch?? I heard they are good wipers as well, they are on my mercedes and no complaints here....

 

[BigO1120]

Bosch wipers are very good. I had them on my Rav4 before I got the X3 and they were pretty good. Come to think of it...I'm gonna get them on my X3.

 

[montrealbmw]

hi guys

i live in montreal, canada, and we've hit by severe snow in the recent days. the wipers have behaved quite well in my x3/05....

 

[chuck abbott]

OK Guys, I have solved the wiper problem on my X3 (Front only). Go down to your NAPA dealer and buy a NAPA 60-2259 and a NAPA 60-2059 Teflon Winter Edge Blades. They are not cheap but they are excellent in every type of weather. I live in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, and at this time of year we get a good deal of snow. In fact it has been snowing for the past 24 hours. Would have changed the rear one as well, but the NAPA guy said the blade is curved and is special for the vehicle. Too bad, as I don't think changing it out for an other one of the same ilk will do any good.

I hope you are listening BMW, it's the little things that make a big difference to car owners when they come to trade again.

I have Bridgetone Blizzak LM18 235/65-17 on for the winter, and they are outstanding in snow country. This is a great vehicle, and I am impressed with it's good road manners in bad weather conditions, and I have said it before, the heating system is the very best that I have had in many cars. Cheers, Chuck Abbott

 

[x3forskb]

I live in Sothern CA and it has been raining for 2 weeks, and I have no complaints about the wipers on my '04 X3/2.5i. They are performing very well. I have lived in snow before, and I can see where you may need to upgrade them for snow, but for genral rain, they seem great!

 

[BigO1120]

OK Guys, I have solved the wiper problem on my X3 (Front only). Go down to your NAPA dealer and buy a NAPA 60-2259 and a NAPA 60-2059 Teflon Winter Edge Blades. They are not cheap but they are excellent in every type of weather. I live in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, and at this time of year we get a good deal of snow. In fact it has been snowing for the past 24 hours. Would have changed the rear one as well, but the NAPA guy said the blade is curved and is special for the vehicle. Too bad, as I don't think changing it out for an other one of the same ilk will do any good.

I hope you are listening BMW, it's the little things that make a big difference to car owners when they come to trade again.

I have Bridgetone Blizzak LM18 235/65-17 on for the winter, and they are outstanding in snow country. This is a great vehicle, and I am impressed with it's good road manners in bad weather conditions, and I have said it before, the heating system is the very best that I have had in many cars. Cheers, Chuck Abbott

So we wouldn't be able to replace the rear blade with any regular blade? I never noticed that...I'll have to check the blade the next time I see my X3 (I'm currently in work).

 

[BigO1120]

The rear blade of the X3 is slightly curved and I tried installing a regular blade but, of course, it will not work. Any ideas where we could get a good quality blade to replace the rear blade for the X3s?