[RixT]

A pair of wiper blades in the UK is £68 and given their build with heater and washer functionality, binning them feels somewhat wasteful. So, having received a free pair from the dealer, took a deeper look at the old wiper blade construction.

The blade construction is a main unit with two end caps and a slotted rubber wiper. Each end cap is held with a clip:

Its pivoted from the top inner side of the cap such that it raises when the cap is pushed on and drops down, latching the cap. To release the cap, the clip needs lifting. Its not designed to be moved other than at build so needs prying with pointed tweezers or flat blades to grip, though the blades need to be about 0.5mm thick to get either side of the clip. If you press the clip down, still latched and harder to lift. Lifting the clip without damaging it is difficult.

The cap slides off revealing the metal strip within the blade and access to the rubber which can slide out:



Importantly, the dimensions are: 5.5mm width; 9mm overall height; Vertical gap used to slide in the rubber is 2mm

The profile and dimensions will need some experimentation. 6mm width may fit but it'd be tight.

If a replacement piece is inserted, the cap can be pushed back on and the clip pressed down again. I'm tempted to give it a generous amount of superglue around the top of the cap and secure it back permanently and not have any glue come in contact with the rubber. This means it'd be possible to do two rubber replacements before never being able to get the caps off which doesn't seem too bad particularly if you're suffering with excessive wiper wear/smearing

So, next step is to find some suitable inserts.

[ricerboi]

Originally Posted by RixT

A pair of wiper blades in the UK is £68 and given their build with heater and washer functionality, binning them feels somewhat wasteful. So, having received a free pair from the dealer, took a deeper look at the old wiper blade construction.

The blade construction is a main unit with two end caps and a slotted rubber wiper. Each end cap is held with a clip:
Attachment 3387003
Its pivoted from the top inner side of the cap such that it raises when the cap is pushed on and drops down, latching the cap. To release the cap, the clip needs lifting. Its not designed to be moved other than at build so needs prying with pointed tweezers or flat blades to grip, though the blades need to be about 0.5mm thick to get either side of the clip. If you press the clip down, still latched and harder to lift. Lifting the clap without damaging it is difficult.

The cap slides off revealing the metal strip within the blade and access to the rubber which can slide out:

Attachment 3387009

Importantly, the dimensions are: 5.5mm width; 9mm overall height; Vertical gap used to slide in the rubber is 2mm
Attachment 3387011
The profile and dimensions will need some experimentation. 6mm width may fit but it'd be tight.

If a replacement piece is inserted, the cap can be pushed back on and the clip pressed down again. I'm tempted to give it a generous amount of superglue around the top of the cap and secure it back permanently and not have any glue come in contact with the rubber. This means it'd be possible to do two rubber replacements before [...]

Yeah would be awesome with some silicone inserts.

[freshxdough]

You don’t need to remove any caps to get the blades off. You can simply push the wiper rubber end inwards about an inch then pull it out of its slot where the cap is mounted to the arm. And slide it out. And slide it back in. I flipped my driver wiper insert because even from factory it was streaking heavily at the middle left of the windshield . After flipping it it behaves like a brand new blade.

[FultonMDUSA]

Originally Posted by freshxdough

You don’t need to remove any caps to get the blades off. You can simply push the wiper rubber end inwards about an inch then pull it out of its slot where the cap is mounted to the arm. And slide it out. And slide it back in. I flipped my driver wiper insert because even from factory it was streaking heavily at the middle left of the windshield . After flipping it it behaves like a brand new blade.

That's amazing advice. Here's my video of it!

[FultonMDUSA]

Originally Posted by RixT

So, next step is to find some suitable inserts.

OK, I took pictures of the numbers on the wiper inserts (original on vehicle, 2023 model built on 11/22). They repeat and increment, so I believe the 2029/2030 are just the location in the batch.

I'm hoping others on this group can find a source!

BTW the driver's side insert is exactly 26.5 inches in length.

[FultonMDUSA]

Numbers on replacement passenger side wiper inserts unfortunately appear to be different.

[LeeInCT]

amazing thread! Now if we can find a source for the silicon insert!

[FultonMDUSA]

Well, I believe the iX uses the Valeo Visioblade wiper. Still haven't found any place to buy just a replacement insert.

If I ever see a Valeo brand wiper in any auto parts store or department, I may just take a chance on a 27"+ generic wiper to see if the insert is the same.

[DesertStorm]

I found some potential replacement wiper blades on aliexpress.com...they are 6mm but otherwise appear to match the profile of the originals.

I bought qty 4 of the 28" length.

It'll take a few weeks to get here, I thought I would take a chance for $12.

If they work, it'll be a bargin!

[Toastmaster]

Originally Posted by freshxdough

You don’t need to remove any caps to get the blades off. You can simply push the wiper rubber end inwards about an inch then pull it out of its slot where the cap is mounted to the arm. And slide it out. And slide it back in. I flipped my driver wiper insert because even from factory it was streaking heavily at the middle left of the windshield . After flipping it it behaves like a brand new blade.

This works perfectly, thanks!

[NotASheepRB]

Originally Posted by DesertStorm

I found some potential replacement wiper blades on aliexpress.com...they are 6mm but otherwise appear to match the profile of the originals.

I bought qty 4 of the 28" length.

It'll take a few weeks to get here, I thought I would take a chance for $12.

If they work, it'll be a bargin!

That sounds great. Can you share the link to the item in Ali Express?

[DesertStorm]

Originally Posted by NotASheepRB

That sounds great. Can you share the link to the item in Ali Express?

I ordered Type B - 28" (700 mm). I cannot yet say if they work or not, since I'm still waiting for them to arrive.

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/32568...yAdapt=glo2usa

[jono987654321]

DesertStorm did the blades arrive yet and, more to the point, did they work?

[x5toledo]

A little over a thousand miles in my 50 and the car is great - apart from the wipers. Autoglym screen polish has helped but another blade clean and possible swap around today, with rain forecast.

In the UK the Valeo part is 572332 / Silencio VA332 (https://www.valeoservice.co.uk/en-uk...96739982/about) - but from a quick search online there are no easy options to buy, seemingly.

[grueber]

My wipers started to streak and I pulled out and flipped the wiper inserts. Really easy. It worked better than I expected and is streak-free.

Did anyone find compatible inserts? Seems wasteful to buy a whole new wiper set.

[Bmwno6]

Got a OEM complete set for my iX as spare:

61-61-5-A0B-571 Windshield Wiper Blade Set $57.14

[lonant76]

Originally Posted by DesertStorm

I found some potential replacement wiper blades on aliexpress.com...they are 6mm but otherwise appear to match the profile of the originals.

I bought qty 4 of the 28" length.

It'll take a few weeks to get here, I thought I would take a chance for $12.

If they work, it'll be a bargin!

Re awakening this old thread. Really interested if these inserts from Aliexpress worked???? Thanks

[MAMOHT]

I got the ones from Amazon. Those are great. Totally broke the clips too but the caps sit so tight that there is no problem.

https://a.co/d/eNFQPfi

[Bmwno6]

I was at the BMW dealer a few days ago for something else and asked to have the wiper blades replaced and it cost me $75 including labor.

[NomoTesla]

Originally Posted by Bmwno6

I was at the BMW dealer a few days ago for something else and asked to have the wiper blades replaced and it cost me $75 including labor.

That doesn't seem so bad. The parts alone, mail order, are $56.

[sstar2211]

I changed the wiper blades today by myself. The wiper blades which have the same length as the original are Bosch 700U and 550U. You need to extract the blades by removing the metal bar, however.

Thanks for showing the tricks. Appreciate!

[Cobby]

Thank you to everyone that has posted on this thread.

I’ve just purchased an iX M60 which I am thoroughly enjoying, apart from the juddery wipers.

I’ve just extracted the rubber blades and swapped them around, and this appears to have done the trick. No need to take the end cap off. Just pull the rubber back into the blade and then pull out once clear of the end cap.

However, I found some refills from Amazon which for just under £7 is worth also trying.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/...LSZEBIIUN&th=1