Bosch Icon's review

Originally Posted by KrisL

The edge of the 420B wiper doesn't touch the windshield when it's in the rest position (due to the curvature of the windshield). The 419B does. Either is fine, really... 420B will just give you an additional 1/2 inch of swipe on each side.

Thank you for another great tip, Kris! I'm going to get it done sometime this weekend!

Today, I went to a local parts store (Advanced Auto Parts) and got the Icons. I have an '02
330ci cabrio and the 422B fit perfectly on the drivers side and the 419B fit about as good as you can get it on the passenger's side. I could have gone with a 420B (it's an inch longer) on the passenger's side but, like somebody else mentioned in this thread, you only get about another 1/2" of coverage because even with the 419B, the blade begins to lift off the windshield at the end tip. So, what you're probably going to get with the 420B (as apposed to the the 419B0) is maybe another 1/2" of covereage but alot of smearing.

I doubt that BMW changed anything over time for the E46 with respect to the wipers (I haven't found anything anyway). So, what I described above should hold true for all E46's. What was really good about going to a brick'n mortar auto parts store was that they brought the wipers out to may car and fitted them. I probably paid a few bucks more than online (I paid $31 for everything) but it all worked out great.

Hopes this helps others,

Tom

Originally Posted by Topshelf

Did you remove the little plastic piece on the drivers side towards the bottom that holds the factory blade in place? If not, just know that if your wiper starts missing a big section in the middle, take that piece out. It was causing all kinds of problems on mine, but I didn't know what the problems was until I found that.

Does removing the plastic piece cause the blade to not make good/consistent contact with the windshield? I just bought a set of these and have wondered how necessary that piece is.

The letter designates the type of connector on the wiper. Hook-slot connector, Pin-type arm, Straight-end connector, etc. That is why most of us here use the A type... Same cars. At least in the current models. E46, E9X's and so on.

Originally Posted by N0Roof330Cic

The letter designates the type of connector on the wiper. Hook-slot connector, Pin-type arm, Straight-end connector, etc. That is why most of us here use the A type... Same cars. At least in the current models. E46, E9X's and so on.

Your new screen name is "Gravedigger"....


(you`re responding to a thread that`s been dead for nearly *five years*)

Yep, and now that the new wiperless car has been invented no one ever needs to worry about windshield wipers anymore, YAHOO!!!

I am a relatively new owner of a 2006 325 CiC (E46) - will the Bosch ICON 422B/419B fits my car? Anybody else find any other Brand/Model (i.e. Michelin/Rain-X) that will fit?

Thanks in advance.

Yo Cajie,

I am not sure of the numbers but do know the Icons work. I took the ones off my Subaru and put them on the Wife's BMW. I threw out the boxes but can look at my orders to see the numbers in the next couple of days. But as long as you get the right length they will work. I think I used a 22 when it called for a 23 or something like that, but it is not a problem. And the sleek look of the icons is nice.

Originally Posted by N0Roof330Cic

Yo Cajie,

I am not sure of the numbers but do know the Icons work. I took the ones off my Subaru and put them on the Wife's BMW. I threw out the boxes but can look at my orders to see the numbers in the next couple of days. But as long as you get the right length they will work. I think I used a 22 when it called for a 23 or something like that, but it is not a problem. And the sleek look of the icons is nice.

Thanks for prompt reply - I was mainly concerned with the mount (size of the J Hook) of the ICON's. I did a fit test with a Michelin Hybrid Stealth (that the Michelin website claims will fit) and unfortunately, these did not fit - the size of the J Hook was incompatible...

These are the ones I have for my car, so the length is not right, but the attachment works.
Bosch 18A ICON Wiper Blade, 18"
Bosch 24A ICON Wiper Blade, 24"

Originally Posted by N0Roof330Cic

These are the ones I have for my car, so the length is not right, but the attachment works.
Bosch 18A ICON Wiper Blade, 18"
Bosch 24A ICON Wiper Blade, 24"

Thanks for info!