Customer Reviews

Bosch 418B ICON Wiper Blade - 18"

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

For more than 30 years, I've searched high and low for the perfect wiper blade. Being a little tiny bit obsessive about my car, one of the things I can NOT tolerate is a chattering, noisy, smeary, streaky wiper blade. Driving in the rain is hard enough without feeling like you're trying to look through a wax-paper windshield.

In the past, I'd put new wiper blades on my car two or three times a year and sometimes more, just to make sure I never had to deal with wiper smear or worse, wiper chatter. That sound is like fingernails on a blackboard to me!!

I'd also clean the rubber edge several times between blade changes, to keep the leading edge clean and free from debris and gooey tree gunk and junk. Due to my desire to keep the finest quality blades on the car, I'd only buy authentic Toyota blades for my 2003 Camry and then one day...

An associate at the local Toyota dealer talked me into buying the rubber inserts for the blades, rather than the whole blade assembly. For 20 minutes, I waited and watched as she fiddled around trying desperately to get the inserts into the arm assembly. Two days later (and 10 minutes of use later), while driving in a light rain storm, the whole thing came apart in pieces, scratching my windshield in the process. It was a Sunday afternoon (dealer was closed), so I drove directly to the auto parts store and told them I wanted the most expensive wiper-blade they sold. They took me to the Bosch Icon and said, "these are the best, but they're pricey."

I couldn't be more pleased with the quality and performance of this product. The two blades I bought for Cammie cost less than $50 which isn't THAT much contrasted against the frustration of not being able to see clearly through the windshield when it rains.

April 2008 UPDATE: I am on my second pair of Bosch Icons and I'm saddened to say that I am no longer "raving" about these things. While they're just swell for the first 60 days, they deteriorate quickly after that and become streaky and smeary. When I was buying wiper blades for my daughter's car, I asked the auto parts guy about the Bosch Icon. He replied, "I'm not that impressed with them either. They don't last long."

Great product. Limited compatibility, though. I've not found a pair for my Mercedes, but they're wonderful on my Toyota

What can you really say about wiper blades? I have a 2000 Civic hatchback and I can tell you these are the best blades I've ever owned. I read various reviews before making my purchase and found some people are way too critical. Keep in mind there are so many different cars on the road, each with a slightly different windshield. The fact that an after market design works this well on so many windshields is a testament to the bracket-less (pre flexed) design. I live in Los Angeles where I burn through blades more often that when I lived in Seattle. The reason is the heat dries and cracks the rubber. Blades are generally used here with a car's wiper fluid system to clean away dust and grime improving visibility. So if you think these blades are to costly for someone in a dry climate, think again, they're worth it for safety alone. This may eventually happen with these ICONS, but I expect the beefy quality rubber will last quite some time. For those in icy places the bracket less design I have read will not allow for snow and ice to build in the blade. ICONS also have a wide spoiler designed to catch the wind and keep the blade tight against the glass. The ICONS are super quiet, super easy to install (J hook). You should expect to pay $19 to $20 plus tax each, in a auto parts retail store like AUTO ZONE or PEP BOYS. AMAZON will be quite a bit less expensive. Check with BOSCH for any rebates. I received a $[...] rebate printed up from the Bosch website when purchasing any 2 ICONS, making the price a non issue. The Bosch auto parts website also has a parts finder so you can be sure to get the correct model number for your vehicle. NOTE: ICONS ARE NOT DESIGNED FOR REAR WINDSHIELDS. The spoiler design is counter productive in a rear application. Bosch has a few options for rear blades. I wasn't sure what was the best choice for my rear blade, so I called Bosch and a great rep. made a recommendation. The number for BOSCH 888-715-3616. I can't believe I wrote this much about wiper blades. Oh well.

I bought my second pair of Bosch Icon wipers about a year ago and it seems to be about time to replace them again. I'm not sure how long wipers are supposed to last, but they started leaving streaks about 4-5 months ago. The streaking isn't unbearable, but on colder days the residue left by the wipers doesn't readily evaporate making it difficult to see. I replaced my first set after about a year with similar use and results.

When I first put them on my car, they worked flawlessly. All of the rain droplets were removed from end to end of the wiper without any streaking. The design of the wiper applies even pressure throughout the blade and doesn't lift off while wiping at highway speeds.

I'm sure the life of your wipers will depend greatly upon your climate, but I've been getting about 6 months of good use from these. I usually park my car outdoors and feel that the infrequent rain and the sometimes dry weather of Los Angeles may have contributed to the hardening of the rubber blades. Overall, I'll probably stick with Bosch since they are good wipers. I'll just have to wait until they go on sale since they are a little pricey.

I've tried a lot of wiper blades and I like the Bosch Icon the best. At the time of this review, I have these blades installed on every car in my house. These blades clear the windshield easily and evenly. They last longer than most blades. The design keeps the blades on the windshield even at highway speeds. They work well in snow.

I don't compromise on wipers, headlights or tires. Driving is hard enough -- Why make your life more difficult with cheap wiper blades?

After seeing the ads on TV and reading some excited reviews here, I was expecting a tremendous job from these blades. Alas, they only do a satisfactory job.
Pros: good looking, less streaks, easy installation
Cons: not quiet, doesn't completely eliminate streaking even when brand new, and shivery
Bottomline: not a breakthrough in wiper blade business

After doing some research I bought Bosch Icon wiper blades for my 05 Mazda 3. I purchased them locally, with a buy-two-get-one-free mail in rebate deal from Bosch. So far I am very happy with them. Absolutely no streaking at all. They clean my windshield very effectively and are quieter than my old wiper blades (which were also Bosch, of the conventional type with metal frames). I also like the clean appearance, which looks good on my car. I've only been using them for a week so I can't comment on their durability or winter use.

Bosch Icons have been on my Olds Bravada for at least 5 years...they are just now barely streaking a bit so I have ordered another pair, plus one for my wife's new Malibu. With the winters we have up here in Northern Michigan, this blade is tops. Snow and ice cannot jam them up and you never find yourself beating the ice chunks off of them in the middle of a snow storm. One of those things in life that are a "you get what you pay for" item. I strongly recommended them to everyone, especially those in snow country. Oh...as usual, after way too much research, Amazon has the best price.

I have tried other brands of aero wiper blades, and keep coming back to the Bosch ICON's. These are the only blades that I will be purchasing from now on. I love them.

Nothing I have tried works as well as these. No need for specifics - wipers do only one thing - these do it better than any others. I have tried several over the years.