Are beam wipers worth it?

"Frank Grimes" (FrankGrimes)
12/30/2015 at 16:12 • Filed to: None

Do the fancy new beam type wiper blades all the hipsters are using work any better? Are the worth the added cost?

DISCUSSION (24)

Future next gen S2000 owner > Frank Grimes
12/30/2015 at 16:16

Yes. Especially in winter. The surface pressure is applied more evenly, plus no joints to freeze up. I’m not going back.

coelacanthist > Future next gen S2000 owner
12/30/2015 at 16:17

Second that, love 'em.

supra-squirrel > Frank Grimes
12/30/2015 at 16:18

Very much so. Primarily because of the more even despersal of tension over the length of the wiper blades.

They tend to last longer as well.

OPPOsaurus WRX > Frank Grimes
12/30/2015 at 16:18

Yes but i think they added function comes with and equal cost

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > Frank Grimes
12/30/2015 at 16:20

Yes, they are worth every damn penny. Every car I change wipers on gets a set of Bosch Icon blades.

Plus BMW is now putting those on some models (My Mini has them) from the factory. That ought to say something.

TheHondaBro > Frank Grimes
12/30/2015 at 16:20

From what I hear, yes. I recently got a pair of Bosch Icons so I’ll have to wait and see how they combat the Seattle rain.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Frank Grimes
12/30/2015 at 16:22

Definitely. Standard equipment on Mercedes for the last few years already. Completely worth it.

jariten1781 > Frank Grimes
12/30/2015 at 16:24

They’re better but not necessary. I use them, but it isn’t world changing.

yitznewton > Frank Grimes
12/30/2015 at 16:26

I don’t really like them. They don’t fit the tight curves of my windshield very well, and they chatter more. Frames forever!

Textured Soy Protein > Frank Grimes
12/30/2015 at 16:28

I’ve been using them for several years and like them, especially for winter. But I always shop around for what’s cheap.

Bosh Icons for like 25 bucks each or whatever are a ripoff, IMHO. I got them one time but they were no better than other, cheaper brands like Anco Countour or Trico Neoform. I’ve had good results from both of those.

If you go on RockAuto they have the wiper blades separated out into categories including beam-style. I can’t speak for all the other ones but those two I mentioned have done nicely. Be sure to search for the latest RockAuto coupon too.

CounterTorqueSteer > Frank Grimes
12/30/2015 at 16:39

I have 40k miles on a set and I swear they still work as well as when they were new. They've been through two brutal Summers and Winters.

Full of the sound of the Gran Fury, signifying nothing. > Frank Grimes
12/30/2015 at 16:40

I tried a set a couple of years ago and wasn’t happy with the results. Perhaps it depends on the length. My Mazda uses two different size wipers, and the long one, either 24 or 26 inches, would twist and smack the glass, obviously not doing a good job of wiping since it was the frame and not the blade against the windshield. I think these were Goodyears, and I’ve been afraid to try this design ever since.

Thankfully Costco has a really good return policy, and I got a full refund, even after an extended period.

HammerheadFistpunch > Frank Grimes
12/30/2015 at 16:41

My feelings on these are a solid

Kinja'd!!!

They work, maybe a little better...but its not something I can really get excited about.

CCC (formerly CyclistCarCoexist) > Frank Grimes
12/30/2015 at 16:49

I just slap on some RainX, and it does the job. If you want that increase in possible aerodynamics, get them. But meh

uofime-2 > HammerheadFistpunch
12/30/2015 at 17:41

wiper blades are always such a crapshoot.

The ones on my new car work so well I have half a mind to just get new OEM ones when they wear out of course I haven’t looked at the price yet...

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > Frank Grimes
12/30/2015 at 17:44

in my experience they are superior in every way. Noise, wiping performance, life span, visibility, freezing resistance, cleanability, style... I have been using them since before they were standard equipment on most every new car.

pip bip - choose Corrour > Frank Grimes
12/30/2015 at 18:06

yes they’re better , but not worth it the expense.

brianbrannon > Frank Grimes
12/30/2015 at 20:12

Aftermarket ones are universally shitty on all the cars I've worked on

Hooker > Frank Grimes
12/30/2015 at 20:57

What’s a beam wiper? (I ask knowing I may already have them on my car and not know it.)

Frank Grimes > Hooker
12/30/2015 at 21:01

it is made of less parts and is pre curved less susceptible to freezing and also supposedly fit against the windshield better.

Kinja'd!!!

Hooker > Frank Grimes
12/30/2015 at 21:03

This. I’ve had them. On cars with a much larger wiper on the driver side than the passenger, they tend to struggle. Though, so do most wipers. Bosch ICON’s are a ripoff unless you can get a two for one deal.

shop-teacher > Frank Grimes
12/30/2015 at 21:58

I tried a set of 22” rain-x beam wipers on my truck a few years ago and hated them. One winter and summer later, maybe 8 months total, and I couldn't wait to throw them away.

TrickJos > Frank Grimes
12/30/2015 at 22:00

Yes! They don’t skip across my windshield like the old style wipers did. It’s really nice that they don’t get stuffed with snow and ice too.

Frenchlicker > Frank Grimes
12/31/2015 at 00:12

Well it depends on the brand I’ve noticed. I’ve tried three so far: Valvoline, Rain-X, and Bosch. Valvoline, do not get even if it’s a two for one price at Kmart. Bosch, okay but only get if they are on sale at a two for one price or thereabouts. Rain-X, my personal favorite and I am currently using them and installed them in my mom’s car too.