Wiper Blades
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,143
Likes: 1,297
From: Southern US
2010 E550, 273 Engine: 2012 S550, 278 Engine
Just little info here.
I feel the MB wiper blades are not he best of quality. I don't know who makes them for them. Could be Bosch?
But, I did a little experiment with the wiper blades. I bought Bosch Icon blade for about $20 and took the actual wiper blade out of it and put it in the MB wiper holder. This just because the Bosch wiper holder looks ugly where it connects to the wiper arm.
Will see how the Icon works compared to OEM wiper but just letting you know with little "hands on" you can actually change the "insert" in the MB wiper blade holder at least once.
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 405
Likes: 46
S213 E450 4Matic, W111 220SE - prior cars: 3x W212, W210 E55 AMG, W202 C43 AMG, W126 300SE
How much of a job was it to change the blade inserts?
I too have had wiper blade issues. The originals on my car started chattering like crazy within 4 months, 4 months after I got a set under warranty, they were chattering again. I took it back and the service advisor was curt and said the blades weren't the problem, so I just said to hell with it, and bought my own set of Icons, and also found a cheapish OEM set on ebay. I've also cleaned the windshield to an insane degree - scratch free cleanser, magic eraser, solvent, etc, it's clean now. I am running the OEMs now, as I like the blade holder design more than the clunky Bosch holder, too. As is my luck, it hasn't rained much since I switched them again, but I keep the Bosch ones in the trunk. No chatter yet, but I've only used them maybe 3x in more than two months. If the chatter comes back, I'd prefer to change the inserts and keep the cleaner look.
The OEM blades are Valeo, I believe.
I too have had wiper blade issues. The originals on my car started chattering like crazy within 4 months, 4 months after I got a set under warranty, they were chattering again. I took it back and the service advisor was curt and said the blades weren't the problem, so I just said to hell with it, and bought my own set of Icons, and also found a cheapish OEM set on ebay. I've also cleaned the windshield to an insane degree - scratch free cleanser, magic eraser, solvent, etc, it's clean now. I am running the OEMs now, as I like the blade holder design more than the clunky Bosch holder, too. As is my luck, it hasn't rained much since I switched them again, but I keep the Bosch ones in the trunk. No chatter yet, but I've only used them maybe 3x in more than two months. If the chatter comes back, I'd prefer to change the inserts and keep the cleaner look.
The OEM blades are Valeo, I believe.
Just little info here.
I feel the MB wiper blades are not he best of quality. I don't know who makes them for them. Could be Bosch?
But, I did a little experiment with the wiper blades. I bought Bosch Icon blade for about $20 and took the actual wiper blade out of it and put it in the MB wiper holder. This just because the Bosch wiper holder looks ugly where it connects to the wiper arm.
Will see how the Icon works compared to OEM wiper but just letting you know with little "hands on" you can actually change the "insert" in the MB wiper blade holder at least once.
I feel the MB wiper blades are not he best of quality. I don't know who makes them for them. Could be Bosch?
But, I did a little experiment with the wiper blades. I bought Bosch Icon blade for about $20 and took the actual wiper blade out of it and put it in the MB wiper holder. This just because the Bosch wiper holder looks ugly where it connects to the wiper arm.
Will see how the Icon works compared to OEM wiper but just letting you know with little "hands on" you can actually change the "insert" in the MB wiper blade holder at least once.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,143
Likes: 1,297
From: Southern US
2010 E550, 273 Engine: 2012 S550, 278 Engine
How much of a job was it to change the blade inserts?
I too have had wiper blade issues. The originals on my car started chattering like crazy within 4 months, 4 months after I got a set under warranty, they were chattering again. I took it back and the service advisor was curt and said the blades weren't the problem, so I just said to hell with it, and bought my own set of Icons, and also found a cheapish OEM set on ebay. I've also cleaned the windshield to an insane degree - scratch free cleanser, magic eraser, solvent, etc, it's clean now. I am running the OEMs now, as I like the blade holder design more than the clunky Bosch holder, too. As is my luck, it hasn't rained much since I switched them again, but I keep the Bosch ones in the trunk. No chatter yet, but I've only used them maybe 3x in more than two months. If the chatter comes back, I'd prefer to change the inserts and keep the cleaner look.
The OEM blades are Valeo, I believe.
I too have had wiper blade issues. The originals on my car started chattering like crazy within 4 months, 4 months after I got a set under warranty, they were chattering again. I took it back and the service advisor was curt and said the blades weren't the problem, so I just said to hell with it, and bought my own set of Icons, and also found a cheapish OEM set on ebay. I've also cleaned the windshield to an insane degree - scratch free cleanser, magic eraser, solvent, etc, it's clean now. I am running the OEMs now, as I like the blade holder design more than the clunky Bosch holder, too. As is my luck, it hasn't rained much since I switched them again, but I keep the Bosch ones in the trunk. No chatter yet, but I've only used them maybe 3x in more than two months. If the chatter comes back, I'd prefer to change the inserts and keep the cleaner look.
The OEM blades are Valeo, I believe.
The job was easy. Took a wide flat screw driver and inserted it at the bottom end underside between the blade holder and the end cap. Little twist popped the cap off.
On Bosh wipes the end cap broke when I took it off.
After end caps were off I pulled the blade inserts out but to get the Bosh insert all the way to the MB holder I had to take the upper end cap off also. Reason is that at the upper end there is a small clip that keeps the upper end of the insert in place and to be able to get the insert all the way under the clip I had to use a very small screw driver to gently pry the clip open to slide the insert under it. After this just pushed the end caps back in place.
It took 10 min with all learning, could do it now in less than 5.
Last edited by Arrie; Nov 6, 2013 at 08:12 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,031
Likes: 8
From: Chicago (Palos Park)
2023 CLA 250, 2021 GLC43, 2003 CLK320
Hi, I ordered Bosh ICON 24OE 3 397 008 685-E2A blades and it does not look like it will fit. Did not take it out of the box yet but looking at the mount. Ordered it from Amazon where it shows it should fit my 2011 E350.
Any idea which exact Bosh model we need?
Any idea which exact Bosh model we need?
Last edited by dariusf; Nov 27, 2013 at 06:26 PM.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,143
Likes: 1,297
From: Southern US
2010 E550, 273 Engine: 2012 S550, 278 Engine
It fits but is ugly. I took the wiper insert out and installed in the MB holder. See my previous posts.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,425
Likes: 0
2000 W210 E55->2003 R230 SL500->2004 W211 E55->2007 997TT+2007 E63->2010 GLK350->2012 E550 4matic
Michelin Stealth $11.99 from Costco Canada 24 inches
Not having been too pleased with the MB wiper blades, picked up a set of Michelin Stealth from Costco here in Canada. At $11.99 each, it's significantly cheaper and if it fails on me soon, I can always refund.
Last edited by W210; Jun 21, 2014 at 06:00 PM. Reason: added URL
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 405
Likes: 46
S213 E450 4Matic, W111 220SE - prior cars: 3x W212, W210 E55 AMG, W202 C43 AMG, W126 300SE
Several months ago I did the Arrie Bosch retrofit using the stock Valeo blade holders. No more chatter - and it was just as easy as he described. If one is both particular about chatter and about ugly non OEM blade holders, it is a recommended fix.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 744
Likes: 28
From: Houston, TX
2014 E550 Coupe and 2010 E350 Sedan
I love my MBs, but I get angry every time I think about how loud the wipers are. I never had a wiper problem with any other car. It is maddening, and apparently common among our cars. Buy a Benz and have crappy wipers :/
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,425
Likes: 0
2000 W210 E55->2003 R230 SL500->2004 W211 E55->2007 997TT+2007 E63->2010 GLK350->2012 E550 4matic
Used my Michelin Stealth for a day so far so good. At $12 I can keep changing them all year. The MB ones are loud.
Let the savings begin:
