Installed them a couple weeks ago, but of course no rain to test them out.

Before with the OEM blades(3yrs.,~29K miles) they'd just smear the crap out of the rain and during light drizzles it would make visability WORSE if I used them. Even though they *appeared* fine, I knew the AZ sun had dried them out and made them stiff.

Anyways, it finally lightly drizzled today and OMFG what a difference. I could NOT believe the clarity and how clean/dry, ie no spots/smears, they worked.

Before you ask, I followed members' suggestions here and got the 26" and 17" REFILL at Options Auto Salon, http://www.optauto.com/webstore/basket.asp?in=yes, for $14+shipping, which I believe is cheaper then OEM and about the same as your cheap/generic auto-parts store.

So, if you're a dumb azz like myself and still driving on OLD hard/cracked OEM wipers, these are a steal IMO.

And THANKS to those members for pointing out killer blades at a bargain price IMO.

 

hahahaha. the dealer i saw on friday told me my blades were streaking and that it would be $37 to replace them.

 

I agree. The PIAA wiper inserts are worlds above the slightly used stock blades. The PIAAs are quiet (they don't squeek or shudder) and they clean evenly and to top it all off they have a similar affect to rain-x washer fluid in that the water beads up upon wiping.

 

Yeah, I mean they CLEANED the 'mud' spots off the windshield.

Plus, they *sound* cool too.

 

3 yrs with the same wiper blades would probably explain why you were having those problems. I'm thinking they should be replaced every 6 months or so.

 

When I bought my max a week ago, it still had a set of "Nissan" wipers on it. I took them off and scrapped them for a set of autozone ones until I can find a set of Bosch wipers. I have a hard time finding them in the right size for some reason.

 

OMG!! they are tearing you a new one in the rear....

My passenger one began to rip so I figure I replace both since my max has 28k miles on it (about 26 months of california weather....mostly garaged and/or covered though).

I got mines for 12 bucks .... both the driver and passenger side...

Try another dealer.... because another dealer in town sold theirs 4 bucks more a piece....

I'll stay OEM until these new sets wear out since some of the aftermarkets only seem to last 8 to 12 months.... and the wiper frames themself aren't nearly as good as the OEM's.... IMHO...

 

yeah my blades are horrible...ive been wanting to get these jut keep forgetting and guess what the next 7 dyas here its raining ....im screwed

but ill most likley order these tonight
-J

 

I've heard nothing but great things about the PIAA silicone blades, so I'll be getting them when it comes time to replace.

However, my stock Nissan OEM wipers are AWESOME! I've had them on for 1.5 years since I bought the car, and they're great. Work better than any others I've had before...

 

It's always garaged and those are 90+% hwy miles.

Looking at the OEMs sitting here and they LOOK brand new, ie no cracks, tears, and they feel rubbery.

 

Actually, when you flex the DOWN-stroke side you can see micro cracks in the side of blade tip and it feels less elastic, but only the UP-stroke side it looks brand new and has strong bounce to it.

 

funny thing is i replaced them in jan. one side is OEM other side is bosch. of course they were going to streak. it hasnt rained in SC for weeks. my windshield was covered in pollen. i have to take it to a gas station everyday to clean it.

 

Ooooh...GOOD idea~!

I'm going to buy the cheapie brand and put it on one side to see what difference NEW vs. NEW makes.

 

I also had the stock blades about 3 years. Everytime I washed the car I used tire shine stuff to lube up the blades. This makes them last real long. If I didn't use them to clear ice, they probaly would have lasted longer.

 

I still have the original blades on my car and they don't seem bad, but it really is time that I change them. I've never tried PIAA's...I'll definitely check them out.

 

what do they *sound* like??

 

I dunno what sound he is talking about but my PIAA blades dont make any noise compared to stock. They are quiet

 

The blades work really well with rain-x glass wax. The oil packet that came with the blades will wear off after a month. Use rain-x wax once a month on your windshield, the blades move even smoother and glide over it. I though my PIAA blades would be destroyed over the winter clearing the snow but they are still moving water like new.

 

I have installed the Bosch Micro Edge Excel and very satisified with them. But I guess they are all the same when new out of the box, wait to see them act in the long run.

 

Mine should be here in the morning. ordered them last week.

 

great the 17" is out of stock. My wipers suck I need some replacements. Any other places to purchase these reasonably priced?

 

http://store.yahoo.com/rodi/piwiblre.html

 

Matt.....it's bullshiet.....they tell u they are outta stock on the site, the next day u get emailed saying they shipped....big game..why i dunno


on point tho, i've had piaa wipers for maybe 6-8 months now and I found that maybe it was a dry day or somethin but they left streak marks on my windshield...i tried wax and it didnt work...any ideas to clean the streaks off???

 

thanks for the link it was actually $2 cheaper that optauto after shipping

 

It was mostly a joke, but the old ones made a noisy screech/chatter sound and the new blades are a constant SWOOOOSH, SWOOOSH.

Probably just new vs. old dried hard blades though.

 

autobarn.com is a little cheaper i got mine delivered for $23 and they are $26 for the same thing
Well $3 big deal i guess, shipping is a little cheaper

 

Will the Piaa refills fit the 2k OEM blades (frames)? Or will it only fit the "PIAA" branded wiper frame?

 

OEM...all you need are the REFILLs.

 

Yeah, I ordered a bunch of other crap too and the shipping price didn't really change, so it's better to order MORE stuff.

I ordered refills, 2-sets of PIAA SW 194s, and one PIAA SW H3 all for like $56 shipped and it showed up the next day or two, IIRC.

 

I just use Rain X. I rarely use my wipers Last Max had 130K miles with original wipers. But if I need some-Ill heed your recommendations and buy these.

 

+1...i use rain X and it helps a great deal. but i have had to change them every year. i will get the piaa ones next time...

 

Rained again today.

I'm BLOWN AWAY at the difference vs. dried/cracked/hard OEM blades.

I'm still kicking myself for driving even ONCE in the rain with the old ones.

 

I've been meaning to replace these since I still have the originals =X lol. It's been nothing but rain here and it's likely to stay that way for a llittle while. I just bought them for $22.93 shipped at the autobarn. Thanks for the links guys.

 

Measure your windshield for clearance.

I +1 on each of my wipers for even more coverage.

 

The PIAAs have been the most useful mod I have gotten so far. (sorta) But they actually do work 400% better than OEM. I think it really has to do with the silicon you put on your windshield first...but oh well.

 

hmmm got the wipers a couple days ago and just opened them up. I didn't recieve any of this silicon with them???

 

its a small white package with a folded up wipey in it.....

 

I didn't get that wipey

 

I've had mine for 2 years 3 months and they still clean well. Why replace something that still works? They should be replaced when they are no longer effective and not on some arbitrary interval.

 

i replace mine every 6 months or so...
but 2 a year is a must....i get very annoyed even if i see the slightest streak that they leave...
after each winter (the snow & ice) in jersey, your blades most likely don't survive...unless you warm the car up for 20 minutes so everything melts... i'm too lazy....
i go out & buy a new set every six months and live with it....