BMW X3 Forum
BMW X3 Forum
Welcome to the ultimate BMW X3 community.
BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      11-23-2011, 06:29 PM   #1
greg2step
X3 Owner/Driver
greg2step's Avatar
United_States
211
Rep
785
Posts

Drives: 2018 X3 M40i
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Baltimore, Maryland, USA

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
slow wiper speed in heavy rain

I mentioned this as kind of a side blurb on another thread a few weeks back but its prob my biggest complaint so far so i"m starting a thread.

In the heavy rain that seems to have hit the area several times since getting my X3 - i feel like the fast setting on the front windshield wipers isn't fast enough - or more likely there should one be one speed faster than there is.

few times now i've been out driving in heavy rain and i want them to go a notch faster, keep hitting the faster lever but its maxed out.

I would love to compare a 2008 3 series to see how my last BMW was, and also compare my X3 to another F25 to see if its mine, or a design flaw, or just my imagination.

anyone else notice this or have an opinion? not a huge deal, not rushing off to the dealer, but at some point I need to compare it to some other BMWs and different cars.
__________________
2018 X3 M40i G01 | Phytonic Blue | Mocha | Premium+Exec | Driver Assist | Adaptive M Suspension
2011 X3 XDrive35i F25 l Deep Sea Blue l Mojave Leather l Sport, DHP, Premium, Nav/Technology, Cold Weather, Convenience [traded in]
2008 328XI E91 Sportwagon l Sparkling Graphite [traded in]
Appreciate 0
      11-23-2011, 09:08 PM   #2
shaikh_sakib
Sak
Canada
4
Rep
26
Posts

Drives: 2012 BMW X3 35i
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Toronto, ON Canada

iTrader: (0)

Coming from an Accord, when I tested the wipers, the first thing I noticed is that the wipers aren't nearly as fast as what I had. I only had my x3 for a few weeks and it hasn't rained hard yet. There was one day when it was raining steady (not too hard) and I had rain sensors turned on, wipers slowed down at a stop light and sped up as my speed increased and felt that the speed of wipers was adequate (again - haven't tested in heavy rain).
Appreciate 0
      11-23-2011, 09:54 PM   #3
Nahoa
Lieutenant Colonel
United_States
45
Rep
1,876
Posts

Drives: F25 35i Mineral Silver/Black
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Virginia

iTrader: (0)

Why did you feel it needed to be faster? We're you actually having trouble seeing? I tend to think wper speed is overrated and keep the auto setting on the lowest possible. In a year a probably use the fastest manual setting only once.
__________________

Last edited by Nahoa; 11-23-2011 at 10:02 PM..
Appreciate 0
      11-24-2011, 02:08 AM   #4
RSchneider
Private First Class
Austria
5
Rep
125
Posts

Drives: 2011 X3 xDrive30d
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Vienna, AUT

iTrader: (0)

Was always under the impression fast wipers don't really help in a downpour. Even if the windscreen would be free of water you still can see only a few meters.
Appreciate 0
      11-24-2011, 07:33 AM   #5
mibmwx3
Private First Class
mibmwx3's Avatar
United_States
9
Rep
157
Posts

Drives: 2019 X3 M40i
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Michigan

iTrader: (0)

Top speed is slower than what I'm used to. With poorer eyes at night in a downpour, higher speed wipers would be appreciated.
Appreciate 0
      11-24-2011, 07:42 AM   #6
Le Chef
Banned
United_States
16
Rep
412
Posts

Drives: BMW X3 35i
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Chicago

iTrader: (0)

I guess you could slow down too...we've had a couple of big downpours in trips and you just slow down with everyone else.
Appreciate 0
      11-24-2011, 08:09 AM   #7
mibmwx3
Private First Class
mibmwx3's Avatar
United_States
9
Rep
157
Posts

Drives: 2019 X3 M40i
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Michigan

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Le Chef View Post
I guess you could slow down too...we've had a couple of big downpours in trips and you just slow down with everyone else.

I actually pulled off the road until the rain let up.
Appreciate 0
      11-24-2011, 08:58 AM   #8
Harplayr
Lieutenant
19
Rep
424
Posts

Drives: 2011 BMW X3 28i, F25
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Chicago

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by mibmwx3 View Post
Top speed is slower than what I'm used to. With poorer eyes at night in a downpour, higher speed wipers would be appreciated.
I find that RainX or similar products help visibility in heavy rains.
Appreciate 0
      11-24-2011, 09:32 AM   #9
mibmwx3
Private First Class
mibmwx3's Avatar
United_States
9
Rep
157
Posts

Drives: 2019 X3 M40i
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Michigan

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Harplayr View Post
I find that RainX or similar products help visibility in heavy rains.
Thanks. Will give it a try. I have some in the house, but I haven't used it for a while and never on my X3.

Last edited by mibmwx3; 11-24-2011 at 10:54 AM..
Appreciate 0
      11-24-2011, 02:07 PM   #10
X5plug-in
Lieutenant
72
Rep
532
Posts

Drives: BMW
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: UK

iTrader: (0)

I find that on auto setting even with the frequency on the highest setting the wipers are not clearing lighter or normal rain. I have not had this problem with previous BMWs so I am a bit mystified. Rainx might help but should not really be needed. There seems to be a significant gap in the effect between the fastest auto intermittent and the normal speed it the wipers are set to on manually. I seem to be getting a lot of rain that fits into this gap in function.
Appreciate 0
      11-24-2011, 04:00 PM   #11
ivanoski
F25 X3 2.0 Diesel
ivanoski's Avatar
1
Rep
48
Posts

Drives: 2012 BMW x3 20d 8SpdAUTO BLACK
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Tegucigalpa, Honduras

iTrader: (0)

I THOUGHT I WAS THE ONLY ONE, i find myself bahsing the wiper lever wishing the damn things could wipe faster!!!! this can't be right? Very frustrating when one lives in a tropical country where it fucking rains balls all the time
Appreciate 0
      11-24-2011, 05:19 PM   #12
mibmwx3
Private First Class
mibmwx3's Avatar
United_States
9
Rep
157
Posts

Drives: 2019 X3 M40i
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Michigan

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by X3buyerScotland View Post
I find that on auto setting even with the frequency on the highest setting the wipers are not clearing lighter or normal rain.
I don't use the auto setting in heavy rain, but even by manually pushing the wiper lever up to the highest point, it is still slower than my previous vehicle.
Appreciate 0
      11-24-2011, 06:25 PM   #13
Beyu
Lieutenant
United_States
13
Rep
579
Posts

Drives: 135i
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: WA

iTrader: (0)

The auto wipers don't seem to be very sensitive either. On a few occasions I had to switch them on manually because the auto wipers think a slower speed was adequate.

Would replacing the wipers with a better quality one help with visibility problems? I don't want to use rain-x and keep applying that stuff since it rains so much in Washington.
Appreciate 0
      11-24-2011, 06:56 PM   #14
Horsedoc67
Private
United_States
0
Rep
55
Posts

Drives: 2010 35i Z4 2011 X3 35i
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Ventura, CA

iTrader: (0)

Last Sunday I drove 150 miles in moderate to heavy rainfall from Paso Robles, CA to Ventura, CA with the wipers in the rain sensing mode and had no problem with forward visibility. The car felt glued to the road as if in dry conditions.
Appreciate 0
      12-07-2011, 06:58 PM   #15
greg2step
X3 Owner/Driver
greg2step's Avatar
United_States
211
Rep
785
Posts

Drives: 2018 X3 M40i
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Baltimore, Maryland, USA

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Thanks for all who replied. Tonight was the first time I drove in really crazy heavy rain since this thread. I have to agree that faster wipers would not help me see any better in rain this bad. I do believe the wipers were faster on the highest speed on all past cars and SUV's i've had, but i'm not sure it really matters.

i will say this, the X3 is fantastic in the rain, it really holds the road so well.

i think i'm going to be about 50 miles too far east to test out how it rides in the snow tomorrow morning. maybe next storm.
__________________
2018 X3 M40i G01 | Phytonic Blue | Mocha | Premium+Exec | Driver Assist | Adaptive M Suspension
2011 X3 XDrive35i F25 l Deep Sea Blue l Mojave Leather l Sport, DHP, Premium, Nav/Technology, Cold Weather, Convenience [traded in]
2008 328XI E91 Sportwagon l Sparkling Graphite [traded in]
Appreciate 0
      12-07-2011, 08:29 PM   #16
paul386
Second Lieutenant
18
Rep
274
Posts

Drives: 2011 X3 35i Jet Black
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Florida

iTrader: (0)

Just to clarify, everyone know there is an "intensity" adjustment knob on the wiper control stalk for the auto wipers, right? Similar to the "intensity" control on the auto A/C.

I live in Texas so we don't get rain. However, it is rain just a few days ago and it was the first time I have really had to use the wipers! I found the slow setting on the auto wipers to not quite be sufficient but the next highest was fine. I haven't driven in heavy rain yet.

On a side note I find the windows to roll up and down quite slowly and it makes a lot of noise doing it when it is cold out!

Whenever there is heavy rain I turn on my hazard lights and drive excessively slow on the highway. Ha! Just kidding I can't stand people who do that.
Appreciate 0
      12-07-2011, 08:52 PM   #17
greg2step
X3 Owner/Driver
greg2step's Avatar
United_States
211
Rep
785
Posts

Drives: 2018 X3 M40i
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Baltimore, Maryland, USA

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by paul386 View Post
Just to clarify, everyone know there is an "intensity" adjustment knob on the wiper control stalk for the auto wipers, right? Similar to the "intensity" control on the auto A/C.
yes, but that only applies to Auto mode - when you press the auto button in and the green light is lit. when you push the lever up a few times it goes to the fastest speed.

the control is the same as it was on my E91 both front and rear.
__________________
2018 X3 M40i G01 | Phytonic Blue | Mocha | Premium+Exec | Driver Assist | Adaptive M Suspension
2011 X3 XDrive35i F25 l Deep Sea Blue l Mojave Leather l Sport, DHP, Premium, Nav/Technology, Cold Weather, Convenience [traded in]
2008 328XI E91 Sportwagon l Sparkling Graphite [traded in]
Appreciate 0
      12-07-2011, 09:32 PM   #18
mibmwx3
Private First Class
mibmwx3's Avatar
United_States
9
Rep
157
Posts

Drives: 2019 X3 M40i
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Michigan

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by paul386 View Post
Just to clarify, everyone know there is an "intensity" adjustment knob on the wiper control stalk for the auto wipers, right?
I have mine set to the highest speed, but I don't use the automatic in heavy rain. In really light rain, I often click the auto switch off and back on again, because it doesn't keep the windshield dry enough for me.
Appreciate 0
      12-08-2011, 12:35 AM   #19
sfax
Brigadier General
sfax's Avatar
United Kingdom
91
Rep
3,855
Posts

Drives: BMW X3 2011 F25
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Berkshire, UK

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by paul386 View Post
Just to clarify, everyone know there is an "intensity" adjustment knob on the wiper control stalk for the auto wipers, right? Similar to the "intensity" control on the auto A/C.
I thought it was sensitivity not intensity? As in triggered by less or more rain?
__________________

F25 xDrive20d SE __ professional multimedia package | dynamic package | climate package | 309s | xline | xenons | electric seats | folding mirrors | business speakers
Appreciate 0
      12-08-2011, 01:56 AM   #20
paul386
Second Lieutenant
18
Rep
274
Posts

Drives: 2011 X3 35i Jet Black
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Florida

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by sfax View Post
I thought it was sensitivity not intensity? As in triggered by less or more rain?
Well it isn't more sensitive really... it just goes more frequently when it is raining... right?
Appreciate 0
      12-08-2011, 02:25 AM   #21
sfax
Brigadier General
sfax's Avatar
United Kingdom
91
Rep
3,855
Posts

Drives: BMW X3 2011 F25
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Berkshire, UK

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by paul386 View Post
Well it isn't more sensitive really... it just goes more frequently when it is raining... right?
- I think we mean the same thing. I mean sensitivity as in it takes less rain to activate the wipers, i.e. they are more sensitive to rain. It's a good function because I had auto wipers on my last VW but they were only on or off and it's better in the BMW
__________________

F25 xDrive20d SE __ professional multimedia package | dynamic package | climate package | 309s | xline | xenons | electric seats | folding mirrors | business speakers
Appreciate 0
      12-08-2011, 02:34 AM   #22
paul386
Second Lieutenant
18
Rep
274
Posts

Drives: 2011 X3 35i Jet Black
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Florida

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by sfax View Post
- I think we mean the same thing. I mean sensitivity as in it takes less rain to activate the wipers, i.e. they are more sensitive to rain. It's a good function because I had auto wipers on my last VW but they were only on or off and it's better in the BMW
Yeah BMW gives the driver all sorts of little adjustments to tune the car to their liking... The AC, even in auto, is adjustable as is the wipers!
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:06 PM.




xbimmers
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST