[SnowCover]

does BMW sell just the wiper rubber strips for the X1 wiper blades?

[FZI89]

Originally Posted by SnowCover

does BMW sell just the wiper rubber strips for the X1 wiper blades?

Nope. None of the official brands do that. You will have to buy the stalk too. Replacing just the rubber strips is also a lot more effort than just replacing the stalk with the rubber strips on them.

Bosch manufactures the blades for BMW, so instead of buying them from BMW for double the price, just buy them directly from Bosch.

[SnowCover]

Originally Posted by FZI89

Nope. None of the official brands do that. You will have to buy the stalk too. Replacing just the rubber strips is also a lot more effort than just replacing the stalk with the rubber strips on them.

Bosch manufactures the blades for BMW, so instead of buying them from BMW for double the price, just buy them directly from Bosch.

Is this something that only BMW USA does?

My BMW dealer has just the wiper refill rubber inserts for other BMWs. (saw them do that during the 30k miles service for my friend's X3) It was in a BMW packaging. The bag came with two rubber refills and two end caps. The parts dept guy tried to find it for my u11 x1, but didn't find it in the computer. He said he would check next week and let me know.

Here's an example: https://www.getbmwparts.com/oem-part...ll-61618265555

[FZI89]

Originally Posted by SnowCover

Is this something that only BMW USA does?

My BMW dealer has just the wiper refill rubber inserts for other BMWs. (saw them do that during the 30k miles service for my friend's X3) It was in a BMW packaging. The bag came with two rubber refills and two end caps. The parts dept guy tried to find it for my u11 x1, but didn't find it in the computer. He said he would check next week and let me know.

Here's an example: https://www.getbmwparts.com/oem-parts/bmw-windshield-wiper-blade-refill-61618265555

It’s difficult to tell from that photo, but is that just the rubber piece or is it the rubber with the plastic part that holds it (what I maybe mistakenly referred to as the stalk)?

This is what I bought (for the front):

[SnowCover]

Originally Posted by FZI89

It’s difficult to tell from that photo, but is that just the rubber piece or is it the rubber with the plastic part that holds it (what I maybe mistakenly referred to as the stalk)?

This is what I bought (for the front):

at the BMW dealership, the tech opened the end cap and pulled out the rubber insert in the middle. He inserted a new rubber insert in and put the included new plastic cap back on. Took him less than 30 seconds for each wiper. (again, this was my friend's car, not the X1)

the parts guy said the BMW rubber refills(left and right) was just $10 per set. The entire BMW wiper blade set was about $49.

[FZI89]

Originally Posted by SnowCover

at the BMW dealership, the tech opened the end cap and pulled out the rubber insert in the middle. He inserted a new rubber insert in and put the included new plastic cap back on. Took him less than 30 seconds for each wiper. (again, this was my friend's car, not the X1)

the parts guy said the BMW rubber refills(left and right) was just $10 per set. The entire BMW wiper blade set was about $49.

Yep that’s the BMW price! $50 isn’t too bad, but still extortionate compared to other shops.

In Austria the front set costs €88 ($98) and the rear wiper is €30 ($34) if you buy them from BMW.

I bought the Bosch front set for €21 ($24) off Amazon (€40 at a local car shop, which is less than half the price that BMW is selling them for).

Bosch supplies these wipers to BMW, but when you buy them from BMW, the Bosch logo is removed. That is literally the only difference.

[rittiej]

PIAA sold by Cravenspeed. My go to for my BMW’s.

[markronnie]

The Bosch wiper brand are great. For decades I’ve been using Bosch ICON’s or Marathon’s on all my vehicles. They are designed to put just the right tension on the windshield to wipe them without squeaking. Since there is no exposed metal, they work well in the winter as well because snow nor ice builds up.

I believe the “Aero” are thinner versions of the ICON’s & have the same connectors as Bosch’s other series.

Can’t go wrong with Bosch.

[COOLGREANY]

Originally Posted by FZI89

I bought the Bosch front set for €21 ($24) off Amazon (€40 at a local car shop, which is less than half the price that BMW is selling them for).

I usually go with Bosch as well. Strange, the Amazon listing in USA for that Bosch part number indicates it doesn't fit the 2024 X1 but it does fit the 2023 X1. Same when I check the main auto parts stores (FYI, cheaper than Amazon and also military discount).

https://www.amazon.com/3397007945-Ae...dp/B00L7YHJY8/

The length is the same on the MY2024 (26" and 16") so perhaps the parts database hasn't caught up yet?

[FZI89]

Originally Posted by COOLGREANY

I usually go with Bosch as well. Strange, the Amazon listing in USA for that Bosch part number indicates it doesn't fit the 2024 X1 but it does fit the 2023 X1. Same when I check the main auto parts stores (FYI, cheaper than Amazon and also military discount).

https://www.amazon.com/3397007945-AeroTwin-Replacement-Blades-Passenger/dp/B00L7YHJY8/

The length is the same on the MY2024 (26" and 16") so perhaps the parts database hasn't caught up yet?

I would say the latter is the case. Database just needs to catch up. When I bought the 20” wheels from BMW, it said that it’s not compatible with my car (even though it was made for it!) so, with third party equipment, I would say it just needs some time.

[SnowCover]

Originally Posted by FZI89

Bosch supplies these wipers to BMW, but when you buy them from BMW, the Bosch logo is removed. That is literally the only difference.

the original wipers that came on my '23 X1 had "Valeo" on them. on the bottom of the connector, it said "Made in Europe" which I had never seen on anything before.

The new set that I bought from the BMW dealer a couple of months ago looked the same, but they were "Made in Belgium" and did not say "Valeo"

it was amusing when I found many parts on the X1 that were "Made in China" most of them were electrical parts. I saw that after I removed a lot of interior and door panels when I replaced the audio system with aftermarket amps(one for the F/R speakers and one for the subwoofer) and Morel speakers.

[FZI89]

Originally Posted by SnowCover

the original wipers that came on my '23 X1 had "Valeo" on them. on the bottom of the connector, it said "Made in Europe" which I had never seen on anything before.

The new set that I bought from the BMW dealer a couple of months ago looked the same, but they were "Made in Belgium" and did not say "Valeo"

it was amusing when I found many parts on the X1 that were "Made in China" most of them were electrical parts. I saw that after I removed a lot of interior and door panels when I replaced the audio system with aftermarket amps(one for the F/R speakers and one for the subwoofer) and Morel speakers.

The original wipers that came with my car had no branding, but were marked “made in Serbia”. BMW sources their wipers from both Bosch and Valeo. It just depends on the model and region.

I know the majority of European BMWs will have Bosch, but I think (I might mistaken) many US-made/US-bound BMWs will have Valeo.

[markronnie]

Anyone know the size & type of the rear wiper? Inches & mm?
I think most are 12” (300-305 mm)

I’ve had vehicles with A & B blades. The A’s are for straighter windows & B’s are for windows that have a greater curvature to better sweep the windshield.

[FZI89]

Originally Posted by markronnie

Anyone know the size & type of the rear wiper? Inches & mm?
I think most are 12” (300-305 mm)

I’ve had vehicles with A & B blades. The A’s are for straighter windows & B’s are for windows that have a greater curvature to better sweep the windshield.

14”/350mm for the rear

[COOLGREANY]

Originally Posted by FZI89

14”/350mm for the rear

Hmm. The one on our 2024 X1 is 12" so perhaps a minor change from 2023?

[FZI89]

Originally Posted by COOLGREANY

Hmm. The one on our 2024 X1 is 12" so perhaps a minor change from 2023?

Now I’m not too sure anymore! I checked 3 sites and they all show 14” for the rear. The only way to know for sure is to measure the actual wiper!

I doubt there is any difference from 2022-2024 in the wiper blade size. If it’s in fact 12”, I don’t think 14” would even fit vertically when wiping.

[markronnie]

I’ll measure my 24 X1 for length but would you know if the rear is a type a A or B?

[SnowCover]

Originally Posted by FZI89

Now I’m not too sure anymore! I checked 3 sites and they all show 14” for the rear. The only way to know for sure is to measure the actual wiper!

I doubt there is any difference from 2022-2024 in the wiper blade size. If it’s in fact 12”, I don’t think 14” would even fit vertically when wiping.

just pulled my rear wiper off for this picture...

from left to right, it's exactly 30cm. (edge to edge of the actual rubber strip)


is today "X1 rear wiper question" day? I've answered questions questions about the rear wiper in three different thread today.

[COOLGREANY]

Originally Posted by SnowCover

just pulled my rear wiper off for this picture...

from left to right, it's exactly 30cm. (edge to edge of the actual rubber strip)

That corresponds with my earlier measurement (12 inches) so I was surprised to see that some were reporting 14 inches.

[SnowCover]

Originally Posted by COOLGREANY

That corresponds with my earlier measurement (12 inches) so I was surprised to see that some were reporting 14 inches.

technically, it's not quite 12 inches.... 30cm is 11.81 inches.

I guess that's why BMW is not calling it a "footlong" wiper. (remember the class action against Subway alleging that their "footlong" subs were only 11 inches long?)

[schnell325]

Originally Posted by SnowCover

technically, it's not quite 12 inches.... 30cm is 11.81 inches.

I guess that's why BMW is not calling it a "footlong" wiper. (remember the class action against Subway alleging that their "footlong" subs were only 11 inches long?)

[FZI89]

Originally Posted by SnowCover

just pulled my rear wiper off for this picture...

from left to right, it's exactly 30cm. (edge to edge of the actual rubber strip)


is today "X1 rear wiper question" day? I've answered questions questions about the rear wiper in three different thread today.

Now to add some confusion 🤣: aren’t they meant to be measured flat/straight? (E.g. pushed down against the window)