I was having problem with a wiper blade a long time ago so I posted up here to see what blades people recommended. Bosch was pretty much the consensus. They fit right, they're OEM, and they work well, quiet and smooth.

I bought one off Amazon and about 7 months later the blade started 'farting', where it goes across the windshield and makes that weird noise.

I contacted Bosch, they asked where I got it from and I said Amazon. Turns out that I bought it from a seller on Amazon, instead of directly from "Amazon Fulfillment". He said some of the sellers on Amazon buy stock from companies going out of business and though the item was brand new, the rubber was probably old from sitting on the shelf too long. I checked today and Amazon doesn't sell them directly from their fulfillment center. He said most any car parts place would be fine so long as they have a high turnover of inventory.

Bottom line.... your wiper's health depends on how fresh the rubber was when you bought it!

1991 300d

Thanks J!

__________________
[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

I bought PIAA blades for all my vehicles and have been very happy. They last indefinitely for me.

__________________
Current Diesels:
1981 240D (73K)
1982 300CD (169k)
1985 190D (169k)
1991 350SD (113k)
1991 350SD (206k)
1991 300D (228k)
1993 300SD (291k)
1993 300D 2.5T (338k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (442k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (265k)

Past Diesels:
1983 300D (228K)
1985 300D (233K)

The blades might not have even been actual Bosch. There are lots of fakes out there across all brands. Always buy from a reputable source and not E bay / Amazon unless you are willing to accept the possibility of sub standard parts.

If the blades were actual Bosch, they may have been shelf pulls or excess warehouse stock that has been baking in the sun or a hot warehouse.

I have plenty of experience with Bosch wiper blades. Chattering across the windshield after six months of use is not uncommon for any brand and Bosch is no exception.

MB OE blades have a 6 month recommended replacement interval. There is a little sticker you peel off that reveals a photo sensitive dot. As the blades get accumulated UV exposure the dot turns yellow.

The blades are also graphite impregnated which helps with reducing friction. The graphite wears away increasing the friction and the noise.

I am 99% certain that Bosch is the OE for MB wiper blades.

As for counterfeits on Amazon that is a rampant problem. You definitely have to watch the “fulfilled by” notices on the posting.

__________________
The OM 642/722.9 powered family
Still going strong
2014 ML350 Bluetec (wife's DD)
2013 E350 Bluetec (my DD)

both my kids cars went to junkyard in 2023
2008 ML320 CDI (Older son’s DD) fatal transmission failure, water soaked/fried rear SAM, numerous other issues, just too far gone to save (165k miles)
2008 E320 Bluetec (Younger son's DD) injector failed open and diluted oil with diesel, spun main bearings (240k miles)

1998 E300DT sold to TimFreeh
1987 300TD sold to vstech

6 months is horrible!! Even the OE Honda squeegees in my accord and van (both of those are custom for whatever reason) last 12 months routinely. Once I swap PIAA silicone I don’t change wipers again.

Unless there’s some specific reason to use MB OE, it seems like that lifetime is poor.

__________________
Current Diesels:
1981 240D (73K)
1982 300CD (169k)
1985 190D (169k)
1991 350SD (113k)
1991 350SD (206k)
1991 300D (228k)
1993 300SD (291k)
1993 300D 2.5T (338k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (442k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (265k)

Past Diesels:
1983 300D (228K)
1985 300D (233K)

How the car is stored matters a lot. If the car is outside in the sun for 6 months, the rubber will deteriorate much faster than a car that sits in a closed garage for a year.

Twisted wiper arms are the worst cause of chatter