I needed some new refills for my 2008 RX-350 front windshield wipers and went to the Lexus local dealer. The refills Lexus sells come without the metal inserts that provide rigidity - you have to reuse the ones in the blades you remove. For two flimsy pieces of rubber they wanted $32. I smiled, said no thanks, and went to the local NAPA store and found their store brand was $10 - and included the metal inserts. They fit perfectly. And they come with the metal inserts and plastic clips that hold the inserts in place while you slide the new refills into the blades. The removable plastic clips make it easier since the metal inserts have a tendency to slip out of place during installation and that can turn a 5 minute job into a real test of patience.

Seems to be a rule of thumb that the dealer runs higher end than...well than just about anywhere else.

I've tried wiper blades from all over the place though, and the Lexus ones last longer and wipe better than just about any other blade I've ever used...including significantly more expensive blades.

You can always order them online for less than the dealer...but I bet you'll be dissapointed in the NAPA blades.

Lexus brand wiper blade inserts:
$7.74 for the right one. here
$5.92 for the left one. here
$4.54 for the rear one. here

these don't come with the metal inserts either. I buy my inserts here and order 4 for each side at a time.
I think there is even a 10% discount on top of that price for LOC members.

steviej

I use the Bosch Ion blades. A little less than $20 each. It seems like a lot for wiper blades....

until it rains.

I tried the Lexus inserts & was left disappointed personally.....they lasted 4 months & were done.....although the Lexus dealer did tell me there is no difference between these & the Toyota ones.....maybe that's just in Canada?

I put on a set of Bosch Evolution blades on the Wife's Subaru Forester that I got as no charge replacements (for the Trico Neoform's which were expensive & nothing special either....lasted less than 5 months)......a little over 3 weeks now & so far so good...and we've had a fair bit of rain so we'll see how these fair over time. I've always had good luck with Bosch wipers personally. More info here...

http://www.boschautoparts.com/Products/WiperBlades/Evolution

Bren,
Let's see if you sing their praise next winter.
The Valeo "no hinge" type of wiper are very disappointing in freezing temperature +moisture, contrary to their marketing.

steviej

Agreed Steve.....time will tell. Set's of Bosch blades however have lasted me the longest of all the ones I have tried over the years.