Avoiding high prices for replacement blades for the W220 have been problematic in the past. The OE blades are 27" (690mm). The newer style blades (actually, Bosch Aero Twin blades) have commanded prices of up to $150 for a pair through dealerships.
I have in the past bought a 28" blade for the driver side, and a 26" blade for the passenger - since 27" blades are hard to find.
The last set of blades I bought were TRICO, similar in appearance to the Aero Twins - they were awful. They were flimsy and did not make good contact with the glass, leaving unswept areas. When I tried to bend them for better contact, they came apart. The Rain-X blades look sturdier, but I do not like the look of the mount; it is not as nice as the OE.
I saw one S500 later years not sure what year it had Michelin some kind of frame less blades looked very good.
Aero Twins isint it like $18 per blade at the wallmart ???
you happen to have a part number for the OEM replacement set?
on the inserts, there appears to be some sort of strange retaining clip. The stock inserts do not have this.
Also, whats the difference between the 3 bosch sets on the autopartswarehouse?
thanks.
No, I don't have the number.
I'll know more about that clip when mine arrive.
One Bosch set is the older, non-Aero Twin blade set. The only thing I can imagine being different between the two sets of Aero Twins is the mount. Rain-X makes a mount that would fit both a hook-shaped connector, as well as a post mount. One of the Aero twins (probably listed for 2000- 2006 models) is probably like that. My OE Aero Twins have a mount only for a post, not a hook. My guess (and that's just what it is) is that the other set is shown for the 2002-2006 models and has a post mount only.
My blade inserts arrived today; they were not for the Aero Twin blades, and they were not the part number shown on the web page. The inserts that arrived were for the older style blades; they had a molded-in metal backing. The Aero Twin inserts have no metal, they are rubber only.
I am returning them (and Auto Parts Warehouse's return procedure is a slow nightmare); the part number for the older style blades I received was 3 391 014 995. The part number for the 930mm (27 inch) Aero Twin insert is W0133-1718274 - which is shown on the website, and which they verified after consulting catalogs. AFTER 40 MINUTES OF DISCUSSION AND DESPITE SHOWING THEM THEIR LISTING ON THEIR WEBSITE, AUTO PARTS WAREHOUSE DOES NOT STOCK THE AERO TWIN INSERTS - only the blades. They could not answer why they show the proper part on their site, but do not stock it (apparently, it was not a back-order situation) and tried to sell me a whole set of blades.
In the event anyone can locate Aero Twin inserts, I went ahead and opened up my wiper blade; to make the video a bit clearer, see the photos below. The end cap is held on by two nipples that fit behind the metal mount (arrows). I found it easiest to insert a small screwdriver between the rubber on the front side of the blade, and the cap, lifting slightly; then removing the screwdriver blade and pushing hard against the back edge of the end cap. It pops off. It is only necessary to remove the upper end cap (the one that would be at the top of the windshield when wiping). The end cap is shown partially removed.
The next item not clear in the video was bending a retaining "spike" up to release the blade. The "spike" penetrates the rubber insert slightly to hold it in place. See the second picture. If you remove the lower end cap rather than the upper, you will not see this "spike" and the insert will not slide out. You can guess how I know that.
After all that, it would have been easier to just buy the darned things complete. But I'll buy from someone else. I don't mind a simple error, but I am furious that they tried to blame their website problem on me, and tried to tell me I ordered something I didn't (I ordered the only inserts on the page that were shown for my car, no other inserts were shown; and despite confirming the part number, they tried to tell me I ordered the wrong thing).
More research shows the 930mm (27") Aero Twin blades to be available through a number of other sources at under $40 per set - parts geek, drive wire, and others. Search by the Bosch blade part number, W0133-1617736.
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