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How to buy BMW E39 wiper blade refills

127K views 271 replies 98 participants last post by  haolibird 
#1 · (Edited)
What do you use when you need to replace your E39 wiper blade rubber inserts?

Went to the AutoZone near me but they didn't carry the 25" drivers side nor the 22" passenger side Trico or Anco wiper blades for my E39.

Looked 'em up on realoem to find the E39 wiper set of to be
- SET OF WIPER BLADES 61619070579 $50.78

But confusingly, the drivers side replacement part numbers are listed as
- WIPER BLADE RIGHT 61618209746 $30.13 +core
- WIPER BLADES 61618217711 $13.95

With the passenger side wiper part numbers just as confusingly listed as
- WIPER BLADE LEFT 61618209745 $30.13
- WIPER BLADES 61618217711 $13.95

Looking at the realoem picture below, I can't tell what the difference is between the various part numbers.

Can you edify me as to the answer to these questions?
1. What rubber refills (part number?) do YOU buy for your E39?
2. What is the difference between WIPER BLADE LEFT ($30) & WIPER BLADES ($14)?
3. Why does only the right side require a core charge and not the left side?


PS: It should be but I don't know why the title isn't "How to buy E39 25" driver side & 22" passenger side wiper refills"
 

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#224 · (Edited)
Technically the oem refills are 639mm long or 25.16 long. You only have to cut the one for the passenger side to fit., drivers side uses uncut, full 639mm length. The "711" oem refills (made by SWF/Valeo) do not come with the metal inserts. The other oem "441" version (also mentioned in this thread) came with the metal inserts. They were the "economy" or what BMW called the "value line". They were less expensive, and used as the warranty replacements, even though the 711 was what the car originally came with. They were discontinued by BMW a few years ago. If you cannot find the 441s, you may be resigned to buying the entire frame if you need the metal inserts. If you shop for the oem Valeo/ SWF on Ebay, you can get the pair for around $30 delivered. I prefer them over the Bosch versions, which fit and look oem...but seem to last slightly less long for me than the SWF/Valeo...and they cost the same.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-E39-525...ash=item4192cf9e1b:g:PmUAAOSw-7RVDH5O&vxp=mtr
The above Ebay listing is for the factory oem wipers with frames. The only difference is they don't come in the BMW box. ;)

FYI the 711 refills are only $6.20 each from www.autohausaz.com.

For rainy Seattle, and over the past 13 years of ownership with my 540, I have found the SWF/Valeo, oem blades and refills are the best value for the dollar, as they last the longest and give the best service.

Clean your windshield with a claybar before installation. :)
 
#225 ·
FWIW: If your wiper is 1 inch shorter, your car will survive. I had one of those expensive 26-inch Bosch blades go flying off my Outback in a rainstorm on the highway. I pulled over to the gas station and bought a universal fit 19-inch blade by Goodyear. That was last summer, and I can't tell the difference. I basically lost 3 inches of wipe at the bottom and top of the range, and you know what: I rarely find that I use those parts of the windshield anyway. Now imagine how inconsequential the difference between 24 and 26 inches is.

So if you are buying whole new arms anyway, get whatever is close and just drive on.
 
#237 · (Edited)
E39 wiper frames are not typically sold in retails stores, as they are unique to the model. Standard Bosch or any other "universal" fit frame will not fit. (even the refills are a unique, very narrow blade!) You will only find them at the BMW dealer, or a very well stocked import parts store, or BMW specialist store. Most of us simply buy the frames, or the refills online, as that is the least expensive way to obtain them.
 
#226 ·
I live in a very rural area and don't have the option of going to a dealer. I'm stuck with O'Reilly's or Autozone, OR ordering them online, but need the proper sizes! I's actually like to replce the metal portions anyway. They're a bit faded, not painting them! Is the correct size: 25/21 or 26/21 or something different altogether? I'm trying to verify stock sizes and measuring seems less than ideal at this point. Thanks.
 
#227 ·
I DO NOT want to be cutting anything and, shouldn't have to with the correct replacements It seems ridiculous to have to "trim" a stock size blade...metal part included, which is what I want. Way too much conflicting info! Sorry, but this thread in very confusing and I don't want to replace JUST the rubber strip, but not the whole arm either. Anyway, I don't have any dealer within 100 miles...need the whole unit, minus the arms. Please help me verify the proper sizes for driver and passenger sizes so I can hit up AZ or O'Reilly's. Thank you!
 
#229 · (Edited)
If you order/purchase the "blade"...you don't have to cut anything...its when you purchase the rubber refill that you have to cut.

BTW..just an FYI update...BMW has CHANGED the wiper blades offering AGAIN.

They will sell just the rubber (no metal inserts this time...you have to keep the ones you have and reuse them)...and they now sell a set of blades for around $30-$50 (dealer prices vary). Where as they were selling just the left or right side for approx $30...they are now selling a set of blades.

See the part nbr index at the following link for item #1....the 2nd nbr listed for #1 is for a set of wiper blades (BMW part # 61 61 9 070 579) . You should be able to shop online using this new 11 digit BMW part nbr to price check. If you order this set of blades...you just tilt your old blades away from the windshield, pop the old off, pop the new blades on, lower the blades, and be on your way. :)

FYI, I'm saying this from 1st hand experience, I just purchased a set of blades for my 2006 e53 from the local dealer this month. I paid $33.42 for a set of front wiper blades that came in the BMW box & was in stock...these blades just popped on in a minute...no cutting was needed. I also ordered/purchased a rubber refill for the rear wiper (instead of the entire new blade) and paid $6.50 for just the rubber refill. Below is my receipt where you can see the retail price and the net price (what I paid) after asking for a price match after looking up other vendor prices on the internet and presenting that information to them:

{these are front wiper blades for E53 X5 wiper blades...the e39 has something similar but different part nbr for front wiper blades}

The diagram and link to the part nbr database below is for the e39...again item #1 can be purchased as a "set" which includes the complete left & right front blades which includes the rubber...no cutting is required...just remove old and install new blades:
 

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#228 ·
I tried everything from $2 rubber only and worked my way up but I didn't find any that worked well for me until I found the Bosch 539 - this is pack of two wipers on frames (correct lengths for the E39) that just click onto the arms. Its not particularly cheap but its cheaper than the Dealer wipers and saves a lot of mucking around. Caveat - I live in Australia and the wipers may be different over here, but I dont think so.

Spod
 
#231 ·
I just recently found these at AutohausAZ. They've never steered me wrong...yet. Bosch 3397001539 - Windshield Wiper Blade Set; Front; Left and Right; SET of 2; OE Style; at: http://www.autohausaz.com/pn/3397001539. Looks like the "real deal" replacements I want, including the metal backing. Looks good to me! "All Bosch automotive parts are either OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) or made to their specs as a replacement part for the OEM unit."
Let me know if you guys see anything amiss here. Thanks!
 
#232 · (Edited)
Building off RDL's post explaining blades, refills, and wiper arms. It sounds like you want new blades which is what is showing in that link you provided.

Short Answer
Based on your previous comments buy OEM BMW branded blades this time, and next time buy the refills.

Check out the OEM BMW branded blades part #61619070579

ECS seems to have a good price
https://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/61619070579/ES169960/

You can also check getbmw parts they seem to be selling them, but their website is a little more confusing. Just contact them and make sure you are getting the set and not just left or a right blade for $33. The guys at getbmw parts are very helpful.

Long Answer
Yes it looks like those Bosch blades will fit on the e39. However, I would recommend against getting those Bosch blades. I say this not because the Bosch blades are bad, but because I believe in this case you are overpaying in the long run when you could get something else that does an equally good job. If you need blades because the metal part of your current oem blades are faded and you don't want to repaint them, then I suggest getting the OEM BMW part not the Bosch part. The Bosch ones perform just as well as the BMW ones, but once they wear out you have to buy the whole blade again for $33 as the Bosch ones are not refillable. Instead if you buy new OEM BMW branded blades when the rubber wears out you can just buy the refills that people mention in this thread for a fraction of the price, there is no need to replace the whole blade. The metal part of the blade should last you 5-10years perhaps longer.

I know this whole thing is confusing and a bit frustrating I went through the same thing when I first got my e39. The problem is BMW used a proprietary /unique mounting system between the wiper blades and wiper arms on the e39. But BMW did give you the ability to just replace the rubber strip that contacts the glass (refill) instead of replacing the whole blade. So instead of having tons of manufacturers offering replacement blades you have one or two offering refills and I believe just BMW and Bosch making replacement blades.

I previously had an e28 and I had used various types of Bosch blades on that car the last couple sets where the Bosch Icons. So when I got my e39 and it was time for new blades I wanted to install Icons because they were the best blades I had used, but I came across the problem that Icons are unavailable for the e39. I found It odd and frustrating that I could buy the best IMHO modern blades for my 1988 BMW, but they did not make them for my 2003 BMW.

Anyway I bought refills from my local BMW dealer, which were pretty cheap, and while it was a little confusing installing them I was able to do so and they worked just fine. The second time I needed blades my car was at a BMY indy shop for other work and they screwed up and put the Bosch blades like the ones you linked on my car instead of the refills. I was pissed, but of course my old blades were gone. So I have used the OEM bmw blades and refills, and the e39 Bosch replacement blades. The Bosch ones did not seem to work any better, and they did not seem to last much longer so I do not see an advantage to using them.

And when you do get refills if you order the correct ones may not even need to trim anything or it was so simple I don't even remember doing it. I think there are several refill options, and depending on which on you choose you could have to trim. Although since I have been stuck with the stupid Bosch replacement ones for a couple years now so perhaps parts availability has changed.

I know a lot of people on this board love the OEM blades and refill option and yeah they are good. But personally having used three different types of Bosch blades on my e28 I think the Bosch Icons are the best blades out there. For me they lasted twice as long as any other wiper blade I have used I would get 1.5-2yrs use out of them before they started streaking. And I drove that car in the snow. But Icons or other types of beam wiper blades are not an option on the e39. So I would say OEM refills and rainx are the way to go. Although one of these days I will do my sort of unnecessary and overly expensive wiper e60/e39 wiper arm conversion See here . But I have been nursing these Bosch blades along with rain-x for a while now.
 
#236 · (Edited)
I have installed SWF/Valeo (BMW) refills in the Bosch E39 wiper frames, no problem. Unless Bosch changed their E39 wiper frames recently. Bosch also makes a refill that fit both their wiper frames, as well as the factory BMW SWF/Valeo frames (in other words, the same width (and length) as the factory SWF/Valeo refill. The Bosch E39 refills are not easy to find, but I bought a couple sets a few years ago online. They came in an unusual European package with about 6 or 8 languages on them...obviously not for typical retail use in North America). I used to believe the Bosch were equal to the SWF/Valeo, but have found better life from the SWF/Valeo. Just my experience.
As you stated, nothing wrong with the Bosch, they fit and work fine...just don't seem to last quite as long.
 
#233 ·
In my old E39 the OEM part#61618217711 used to go for $2.5/each from Tischer.

To replace, just uninstall the wiper set, and then pull the rubber insert from the side with notched clips. That pull will cut the rubber insert into 2 pieces(top and bottom), but that is irrelevant since new insert will be installed anyway.

It takes finesse and time if pulled from the side without the notched clips.
 
#234 ·
Thanks for the long explanation. I can tell you spent some time on your reply. I don't mind spending $32 per pair at AutohausAZ every 2 years or so, OR only $28.00 per pair on Amazon for a verified fitment either. Some people think they're getting ripped off if they're spending more than $10 per pair of refills. I'll spend $18 difference and get the new metal backs too; that's just me.

http://www.amazon.com/Bosch-3397001...849&sr=8-1&keywords=1999+540+bmw+wiper+blades

Thanks again ;)
 
#239 ·
...
I don't mind spending $32 per pair at AutohausAZ every 2 years or so,
... I'll spend $18 difference and get the new metal backs too; that's just me.
...
Sounds reasonable to me to get what you want. The main thing is that you'll get blades (not refills :rofl:) that will fit the car.

And besides, blades don't last forever anyway. The pin joints become loose and the wipers start to click/clunk at the reversal of direction, which irritates me no end. So I save a few $ going the refill route, but not all that much in the grand scheme of things. I could only wish that an extra $18 every year or two was near the top of my repair and maintenance costs.
 
#235 ·
Okay, I will try ONE more time. As I stated in a previous post, the BOSCH wiper blades with frames, fit, and work similar to oem, and WILL accept the factory BMW refills. The issue I have is they do not last as long as the OEM factory blade, which are manufactured for BMW by Valeo/SWF. You can buy the exact BMW factory wiper blades with frames from this Ebay vendor for $30 for the pair, (drivers side and passenger side). They are the exact ones you would get from the dealer, only not in a BMW package. http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-E39-525...2cf9e1b:g:PmUAAOSw-7RVDH5O&vxp=mtr&rmvSB=true

When you buy these, they have the metal inserts, so going forward, you can purchase just the refills from autohausaz.com for $6.20 each, which I also previously posted.

Good luck and hope this helps. Feel free to PM me and we can talk over the phone, sometimes this stuff is way easier to explain that way. :)
 
#240 ·
I am in honolulu, and the bmw dealership had the refills, but when they quoted me the price I bought, the blades/frame for slightly more since it was hard to find someone who would ship to hawaii. I heard if you flip the rubber part so it is upside-down they will last longer.
 
#241 ·
#245 ·
Excellent summary, the first two offerings are identical...choose based on price or service preference. The third (bottom) listing is the factory oem wipers, made by SWF/Valeo, just not in the BMW packaging.

All will work fine, and accept the same factory refills, if or when needed. In my experience the SWF/Valeo will last several months longer in use than the Bosch.
 
#244 · (Edited)
Have you bought and fit them to your factory wipers on your E39 M5? I ask because I have never found a refill that will fit due to the unusual and very narrow width required for the E39 wipers. Lasting only a month or even three or four months is really not in the cards for me, most folks would prefer not to make extra trips and replacements if not necessary. For $13 I can get factory oem SWF/Valeo refills from autohausaz.com that typically last me 1.5 to 2 years in rainy Seattle, where they get plenty of use. ;)
 
#246 ·
I think I've found the wipers to replace mine with. Maybe a little pricey, BUT if they can get me through two monsoon seasons here in N. AZ, which is exactly this time of year, I'll be satisfied. The ones on there now are almost 4 y.o., from looking at the meticulous maintenance receipts from the one owner. After this, maybe I'll try the refills?? http://www.amazon.com/BMW-E39-winds...e&ref_=ox_sc_act_title_15&smid=A29XGYB1O66VEN
 
#247 · (Edited)
The ones I posted (twice) from Ebay are exactly the same item. The ONLY difference is the packaging...both are manufactured by Valeo/SWF. The Ebay ones are in the Valeo packaging, rather than BMW packaging. $30 with free shipping. By far the better deal for the exact same product. But if the BMW box is worth $7.49 to you, by all means. :) Note that you do NOT get the spoilers with either product...you only get the frames and blades. I checked the Amazon listing, as someone asked if the spoilers are included, and the seller said no. Made sense, since BMW gets about $30 each for those. ;)
 
#250 · (Edited)
Since this thread goes back multiple years...not sure which refills you're referring to. If it's rubber refills you want (not the entire blade)...BMW does sell them...the part nbr is 61 61 8 217 711 and is item # 2 in the diagram shown back in post # 229. They DO NOT come with the metal inserts like the old "value line" refills that ended with 441.

And that same posts shows my receipt where I just ordered a rubber refill from BMW for my e53's rear wiper (which I believe is the same part nbr for the e39 Touring). So which BMW part nbr where you asking them for?

BMW of Alexandria: http://parts.bmwofalexandria.com/products/WIPER-BLADES:618022-(61%2d61%2d8%2d217%2d711).html
 
#251 ·
Why don't you want to snip blade refills? You really can't screw it up. Just install it full length and simply chop up the excess?

They work perfect especially if you still have the oem or an oem windshield.
 
#257 ·
#263 ·
So you have not tested the fit yet? I noticed the OReillys search does not show it compatible with E39s, and all the reviewers that have posted own Japanese make cars....
 
#258 ·
Around 10 years ago I bought a pair of Trico refills and was unhappy with them. I'm a little vague on the details but recall they were a loose fit in the Valeo SWF blades and didn't wipe particularly well. I can't recall if they were noisy, streaky or both. I discarded them after a month or so. OTOH, at the time I was satisfied by the ...711 refills which are apparently no longer available.

But
  • I don't recall the Trico part # and these 47-800 on offer now may be different
  • I bought them over the counter from a local (Ontario, Canada) auto parts store, not from O'Reilly
 
#261 ·
Please keep us posted. It has been over a decade since Consumer Reports tested wiper blades, but back then, they found most of the mainstream aftermarket brands to include Anco, Trico, etc started streaking and perform poorly after only three to six months or so. At that time, they said from their tests, most of the factory OEM blades sold by car dealers far outperformed the aftermarket ones sold at mass merchant auto parts stores. In their testing most of the factory oem blades easily lasted a couple years. Granted this was before many of the newer PIAA, Bosch and others have launched "premium" branded blades.
 
#260 ·
I've had the Bosch replacement blades from FCP for probably close to a year now, and I have no complaints thus far.
 
#262 · (Edited)
Autohausaz seems to have very reasonable prices for the blades with frames, whether you chose Bosch or SWF/Valeo(OEM/OES).
Windshield Wiper Blade Set for 2001 BMW 540i (autohausaz.com)
Even with tax and shipping, not bad prices.

The advantage of FCP Euro, of course, is one and done, since they offer a lifetime warranty. So when the wear out, send em back for replacements. Actually, how the process works is you order a new set, then return the old ones for credit. I think FCP Euro's pricing accounts for this...
 
#264 · (Edited)
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#266 ·
Last changed mine in 2020 and still working good. Could be a bit better, but I think it's down to my car still having the original windshield that's pitting. I also keep them clean really does make a difference.

I've had hit and miss with aftermarket blades. Might try the Bosch ones next time since Genuine BMW ones are stupid expensive.

I thought about going the FCP route, but shipping things back to them from the Northwest can get spendy. If I bought the Bosch ones through them for $24.69 with free shipping. I'd probably pay the same if not more shipping them back when I do warranty replacement. I mean that might work better for the BMW ones being they are more expensive. But for the cheaper blades, not really worth the extra cost. Good example is when I did warranty replacement on the air and cabin filters. Cheapest I was able to send them back was $50 because of the oversized box FCP sent them in. And shipping is eventually going to get more expensive with the whole gas fiasco.
 
#271 · (Edited)
Someone told me NAPA Refill 68003 (currently $10.29) is the same as Trico Refill 47-800.
Can someone try the NAPA 68003 Refill and let the group know?
So far, it is probably true bc NAPA lists this NAPA Refill under the section "napa refill 47800".

If this is true, then it is good news bc you can get this locally at NAPA store...
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