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    Jun 20, 2008 2:35:42 AM

    mnalla
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    mnalla
    Loc: Portland, OR USA
    Posts: 34, Gallery
    Registered on: Apr 1, 2008

    To rear wiper or not to rear-wiper that is the ???

    Hi all:

    I am in the process of building options to order my 09 C4S. As I live in Portland, OR and with the frequent rain I am wondering if I should order the rear wiper or not. I have heard that the angle of the rear windshield takes care of rain build up. Is this really true?

    For me functionality is as important as looks as some have suggested that it detracts from the clean lines!

    Any thoughts or opinions would be greatly appreciated, especially from those who live in rainy climates.

    Thanks.

    Murali

    Jun 20, 2008 2:54:22 AM

    carreraman
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    carreraman
    Loc: Miami, FL
    Posts: 163, Gallery
    Registered on: Dec 14, 2005
    Reply to: mnalla

    Re: To rear wiper or not to rear-wiper that is the

    I'm in the same boat. So far I have opted NOT to put the rear wiper. I walked the lot and didn't see a single 911 with it.

    Jun 20, 2008 2:56:19 AM

    MMD
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    MMD
    Loc: usa
    Posts: 9652, Gallery
    Registered on: Dec 16, 2004
    Reply to: carreraman

    Re: To rear wiper or not to rear-wiper that is the

    Get the rear wiper if you think you'll use it seasonally.

    In the summer pull off the wiper blade, find a nice plastic cap somewhere and cap the stud.

    Jun 20, 2008 3:14:01 AM

    ridleyguy
    Junior
    ridleyguy
    Loc: Toronto , Canada
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    Registered on: May 18, 2008
    Reply to: MMD

    Re: To rear wiper or not to rear-wiper that is the

    I don't see that my C4S is much different from most other cars in terms of visibility through the rear window when it is raining. Adding a rear wiper to me, is the same as having one on an SUV. Clearly you would have improved visibility with a rear wiper. For Portland, it likely makes sense because of the number of rainy days you have per year.

    Jun 20, 2008 4:05:41 AM

    MMD
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    MMD
    Loc: usa
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    Registered on: Dec 16, 2004
    Reply to: ridleyguy

    Re: To rear wiper or not to rear-wiper that is the

    Rear wiper might make ultimate sense if you had snowfall to deal with on a seasonal basis during a slow commute?

    Jun 20, 2008 5:18:54 AM

    GnilM
    Rennteam Moderator
    Gnil
    Loc: VD, Switzerland , Switzerland
    Posts: 14174, Gallery
    Registered on: Mar 11, 2005
    Reply to: MMD

    Re: To rear wiper or not to rear-wiper that is the

    We do have quite some rain over here and I do not have the rear wiper.
    Once and a while, in town, the back can be covered with water, but as soon as you drive faster the water is pushed away.
    So, if you realy want to have always a clear view out of the back, then take the wiper ( it' s not so bad looking )
    If you want more 'pure lines' and don't mind sometimes to have a unclear view out of the back , then no wiper ( that was my choice with no regrets, even when snowing).

    Jun 20, 2008 6:29:01 AM

    reginos
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    reginos
    Loc: Nicosia , Cyprus
    Posts: 12130, Gallery
    Registered on: Mar 20, 2005
    Reply to: GnilM

    Re: To rear wiper or not to rear-wiper that is the

    Quote:
    Gnil said:
    We do have quite some rain over here and I do not have the rear wiper.
    Once and a while, in town, the back can be covered with water, but as soon as you drive faster the water is pushed away.
    So, if you realy want to have always a clear view out of the back, then take the wiper ( it' s not so bad looking )
    If you want more 'pure lines' and don't mind sometimes to have a unclear view out of the back , then no wiper ( that was my choice with no regrets, even when snowing).


    Moreover, there is no water jet so the use of the wiper is even more limited. Unless they added a jet on 997.2.

    Jun 20, 2008 7:23:17 AM

    bridggar
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    bridggar
    Loc: UK , United Kingdom
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    Reply to: reginos

    Re: To rear wiper or not to rear-wiper that is the

    Had it on my 996 - not on my 997 - I don't miss it.

    Jun 20, 2008 7:39:39 AM

    993Targa
    Rennteam Pro
    993Targa
    Loc: ZH , Switzerland
    Posts: 2522, Gallery
    Registered on: Sep 16, 2004
    Reply to: bridggar

    Re: To rear wiper or not to rear-wiper that is the

    I hardly ever use it on my 993 Targa. If you drive the window cleans itself. Only in traffic and when it rains a lot I put it on.

    Jun 20, 2008 9:14:05 AM

    Alex_997TT
    Rennteam Master
    Alex_997TT
    Loc: Reading , United Kingdom
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    Reply to: 993Targa

    Re: To rear wiper or not to rear-wiper that is the

    I didn't spec and my rear view is always perfect, no matter what the conditions.

    Remember that even if you get the wiper then here is no water jet that comes with it, so you will just be scraping dirt anyway.

    Jun 20, 2008 9:46:14 AM

    ResB Offline
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    ResB
    Loc: Yorkshire, where roads are twisty... , United Kingdom
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    Registered on: Jan 19, 2006
    Reply to: Alex_997TT

    Re: To rear wiper or not to rear-wiper that is the

    Quote:
    Alex_997TurboRSC said:
    I didn't spec and my rear view is always perfect, no matter what the conditions.

    Remember that even if you get the wiper then here is no water jet that comes with it, so you will just be scraping dirt anyway.



    I didn't know that. Good job I never spec'd it then.

    Jun 20, 2008 10:58:37 AM

    easy_rider911
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    easy_rider911
    Loc: London , United Kingdom
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    Registered on: Nov 8, 2004
    Reply to: ResB

    Re: To rear wiper or not to rear-wiper that is the

    The rear wiper is really only useful for shifting overnight accumulations of light snow, morning dew, thin frost etc that you would otherwise scrape off with a rubber scraper. You get my drift

    It's not actually needed while it's raining. The rain just slides off.

    True - there's no water jet so any 'dried on' marks won't get removed.

    The downside is that, while not ugly by any means, it does clutter the lines on the rear and it eliminates the rear visual symmetry. That matters to some people and doesn't to others.

    Plus, does a rear wiper really belong on a 180mph sports car? It makes it look like a VW Golf IMO!

    Jun 20, 2008 12:50:35 PM

    69bossnine
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    69bossnine
    Loc: FL, USA , United States
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    Registered on: Jan 27, 2005
    Reply to: easy_rider911

    Re: To rear wiper or not to rear-wiper that is the

    In Florida it rains very frequently... As others have said, the rain sheds off nicely... Even when parked, I can see adequately enough to maneuver.

    We've debated this before, and those who are for the wiper, you'd think they want to be able to read a book from their rear view mirror!

    I've never once "needed" the wiper for any parking situation, I've always felt I've got decent visibility, even in driving rain.

    Yes, in the snow, you'd be inclined to have it.

    And man, is a wiper a flippin PITA when washing/cleaning your car. They snag your towel, they hold water, they get in the way, they suck. I wish I could ditch my windshield wipers for some newer technology. Also, there's always that inevitability of the blade slipping out of the arm on one end, or ripping, and then the next time you turn the wiper on it permanently scores/scratches your glass....

    Oh, and they're ugly too...

    Bottom-line, don't order it unless you absolutely need it for the climate you're in. For Portland, rain, I'd say don't bother...

    Jun 20, 2008 2:46:10 PM

    MMD
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    MMD
    Loc: usa
    Posts: 9652, Gallery
    Registered on: Dec 16, 2004
    Reply to: 69bossnine

    Re: To rear wiper or not to rear-wiper that is the

    Seasonally remove rear wiper and have not-overpoweringly distracting blue tinted items showing under the red stud which you can cap. Worth it? I dunno.

    Jun 20, 2008 7:28:30 PM

    roadtrip
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    roadtrip
    Loc: new mexico, usa
    Posts: 1172, Gallery
    Registered on: May 31, 2006
    Reply to: MMD

    Re: To rear wiper or not to rear-wiper that is the

    at first i was disappointed my tt didnt have the free wiper...rennteam posts and a some rainy driving quickly changed my mind...water dosent accumulate on the back glass....tales of broken glass from a mis-handled wiper,hmmm...the clincher for me however was seeing a tt in person with the wiper, just didnt look good ,imo

    Jun 20, 2008 10:14:45 PM

    Ronnie
    Co-Pilot
    Ronnie
    Loc: good old England (sometimes Hong Kong)
    Posts: 206, Gallery
    Registered on: Apr 13, 2005
    Reply to: roadtrip

    Re: To rear wiper or not to rear-wiper that is the

    rear wiper is ugly... don't do it. You won't miss it. I don't have one and it doesn't hinder me.

    Jun 20, 2008 10:54:03 PM

    fritz
    Rennteam VIP
    fritz
    Loc: BaWü , Germany
    Posts: 10248, Gallery
    Registered on: Jul 23, 2003
    Reply to: ridleyguy

    Re: To rear wiper or not to rear-wiper that is the

    Quote:
    ridleyguy said:
    I don't see that my C4S is much different from most other cars in terms of visibility through the rear window when it is raining. Adding a rear wiper to me, is the same as having one on an SUV. Clearly you would have improved visibility with a rear wiper. For Portland, it likely makes sense because of the number of rainy days you have per year.



    My second car is also a 4x4 and I wouldn't dream of not having a rear wiper on it, because the vertical rear window gets dirty quickly and really needs it. On the other hand, I learned long ago that a 911 does not need a rear wiper and have lived happily without one ever since.

    Jun 21, 2008 1:11:32 PM

    Nat
    Newbie
    Nat
    Loc: Miami, Fl , United States
    Posts: 39, Gallery
    Registered on: Mar 5, 2007
    Reply to: fritz

    Re: To rear wiper or not to rear-wiper that is the

    I have it and hardly ever use it and it rains a lot here in Florida. Wouldn't order it again.

    Jun 21, 2008 2:07:11 PM

    KMM
    Expert
    KMM
    Loc: Boston, MA , United States
    Posts: 1745, Gallery
    Registered on: Feb 5, 2004
    Reply to: Nat

    Counter Argument: Yes Rear Wiper

    The rear wiper is not just about function. As pointed out, if you are moving at any reasonable speed, rain will not accumulate (unlike SUVs and similar cars, where poor aerodynamics cause your own road spray to stick to the rear window.) It does help in parking lots and with snow at slow speeds.

    The real reason to get the rear wiper is because it harks back to the original 911s of the late 60s and 70s. When I was growing up, I was fascinated by these cars that had a rear wiper! It was part of the notion that with Porsche, function reigned supreme...

    Kamal (MA)

    Jun 21, 2008 2:25:09 PM

    mnalla
    Newbie
    mnalla
    Loc: Portland, OR USA
    Posts: 34, Gallery
    Registered on: Apr 1, 2008
    Reply to: mnalla

    Re: To rear wiper or not to rear-wiper that is the

    All:

    Thank you very much for the replies and much valued input. I am now leaning towards not ordering the rear wiper unless of course as some have suggested it is a good insurance item to have in the rare occasion I am in snow with the car.

    Jun 21, 2008 4:01:16 PM

    mex99
    Pilot
    mex99
    Loc: UK
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    Registered on: Feb 28, 2008
    Reply to: mnalla

    Re: To rear wiper or not to rear-wiper that is the

    If it is snowing wiping the rear windscreen will be low down your list of priorities when driving nearly 400 hp thru the rear wheels!!

    Glad you've seen the light - car is much cleaner without the wiper.

    Jun 22, 2008 9:15:44 AM

    ElTonioni Offline
    Junior
    ElTonioni
    Loc: UK , United Kingdom
    Posts: 79, Gallery
    Registered on: Jun 30, 2005
    Reply to: mex99

    Re: To rear wiper or not to rear-wiper that is the

    I don't think I will bother again mainly because the thing creates so much blooming wind noise.

    I'm toying with the idea of removing it for the summer but does anyone have a suggestion of something to tidily cap the spline?

    Jun 22, 2008 11:00:37 AM

    John H Offline
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    John H
    Loc: Cheshire, UK , United Kingdom
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    Registered on: Oct 20, 2005
    Reply to: ElTonioni

    Re: To rear wiper or not to rear-wiper that is the

    I wish now I hadn't ordered mine - certainly won't bother next time.

    BTW - if you are removing it, be sure to make allowances for the fact that....if you have your front wipers on, your rear wiper will automatically start when you engage reverse gear.

    Jun 22, 2008 11:15:42 AM

    550 Spyder
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    550 Spyder
    Loc: MD, USA
    Posts: 90, Gallery
    Registered on: Dec 25, 2004
    Reply to: John H

    Re: To rear wiper or not to rear-wiper that is the

    rear wiper is only useful is seriously poor weather condition areas (ie heavy snow areas). not needed for rain as rain flows right off the window.

    I agree with the many posts that it is not the prettiest option. you may want to consider against the option and save a few bucks.

    Jun 22, 2008 1:54:01 PM

    MMD
    Rennteam VIP
    MMD
    Loc: usa
    Posts: 9652, Gallery
    Registered on: Dec 16, 2004
    Reply to: 550 Spyder

    Re: To rear wiper or not to rear-wiper that is the

    Would be really cool if Porsche released statistics on how many customers order this option.

    Heck..., would be mind boggling to get the whole story of what percentage of cars are ordered with which options!

    Jun 22, 2008 2:24:03 PM

    Pentium Offline
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    Pentium
    Loc: Earth , Romania
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    Reply to: mnalla

    Re: To rear wiper or not to rear-wiper that is the ???

    On a 911 the rear wiper it's a waste of money 99% of the time. For the other 1% just delay your journey or wait for the rain to slow down/stop

    Jun 22, 2008 3:56:27 PM

    SoCal Alan
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    SoCal Alan
    Loc: Orange County , United States
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    Reply to: MMD

    Re: To rear wiper or not to rear-wiper that is the

    Quote:
    MMD said:
    Would be really cool if Porsche released statistics on how many customers order this option.

    Heck..., would be mind boggling to get the whole story of what percentage of cars are ordered with which options!



    I honestly don't remember ever seeing this option on a 997. Then again, I live in So Cal.

    Jun 22, 2008 9:04:55 PM

    Paul S in TX
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    Paul S in TX
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    Reply to: bridggar

    Re: To rear wiper or not to rear-wiper that is the

    Quote:
    bridggar said:
    Had it on my 996 - not on my 997 - I don't miss it.



    Same here--and you want to know what I don't miss about not having the wiper? The risk of some chump at the dealership lifting it up to clean the rear glass and letting it fall back down, which puts a nice nasty scratch in the paint. It happened twice to mine; the second time the bodyshop that had just finished repainting the area for the wiper scratch, scratched it during clean up. You should have heard the conversation we had on that one.

    Unless Porsche has redesigned the arm to prevent it from turning over when it's lifted, it is a scratch waiting to happen. If you get one, do yourself a favor and tape the blade to the arm with electrical tape every time you take it to the shop for anything.

    Jun 22, 2008 10:16:08 PM

    MMD
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    MMD
    Loc: usa
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    Reply to: Paul S in TX

    Re: To rear wiper or not to rear-wiper that is the

    Like the C4, the wiper is probably ONLY intended for markets like Scandinavia and Northern Canada.

    (kidding)

    Jun 23, 2008 8:42:46 AM

    W211
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    W211
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    Reply to: MMD

    Re: To rear wiper or not to rear-wiper that is the

    I kind of like mine. Used it many times in the snow. Wish it can spray though.

    Even in moderate rain I activate it as I often drive in the city at lower speed.

    I'm a diehard form follows function type of guy, so no regrets at all, will do it again if I live in places where it rains often or snows.
     
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