It had never really occurred to me as I've been driving exclusively hatches, wagons and SUVs previously but it seems that actually most sedans out there lack a rear wiper! So when creating the configuration of my Superb I really wasn't sure to tick the rear wiper or not and left it out mainly because the car looks cooler without it. It's a 90 eur option in Sweden but that's trivial, I'm more worried how easy it will be to live with a car that lacks it. I would think that a sedan needs a rear wiper more than a hatch as the rear glass is lying down more so I am puzzled as to how so many traditional sedans (Audis, BMW, Merc) go without it (only started noticing this after I had to make a choice for mine).

 

So, opinions? People that skipped it on their sedans and like it or regretted the option? I think I can still alter this in my order, nothing has been confirmed yet from the factory.

Edited 4 December, 20187 yr by newbie69

I had a Passat CC several years ago which didn't have a rear wiper as that would have ruined the aesthetics of the car but I really did miss it on cold days or in really heavy rain.  The rear window was raked enough to almost clear itself at motorway speeds but not as well as a wiper would have done. 

 

I've ordered two Sportlines in the last 2 years, both with a rear window wiper spec'd.  No regrets. 

It really should have just been a standard fit item in my opinion. 

In the UK its free but even if it was cost option I would still have specified it. Used it many times this morning as the frost melted off the roof and washed down the rear window reducing vision.

 

Aesthetics would not bother me even if it were truly ugly, when I am in the car seeing out the back window is far more important.

 

Not bought a car since 1980 without a rear wiper and other than the Superb they were all standard.

I don't doubt the practicality of having one, for sure I'd use it too if it was there, I was just wondering how much of a PITA it could become if it wasn't.

My plan is to at apply some rain-X to make stuff flow away easier/on its own above say 40mph and hope I can get away with it... Had this on the windshield of my last car and it worked wonders. Practically no need to use wipers above 50mph.

I still think the sleeker rear look suits the Sportline well, in another trim I would have added it for sure. Only worry is that it's not simple to retro-fit if I change my mind completely. Is it just a matter of drilling the boot or I'd need to bring loom there that doesn't exist already?

14 minutes ago, newbie69 said:

 Only worry is that it's not simple to retro-fit if I change my mind completely. Is it just a matter of drilling the boot or I'd need to bring loom there that doesn't exist already?

I would go the other way and have it fitted, if you don't use it then you can remove it and fit a blanking plate.  Far easier and probably cheaper in the long run.  

 

I don't get the 'aesthetics' point of view.  It's a slab sided family barge, not a Pagani.  The wiper is almost invisible anyway as it sits on top of the black glass 'surround' of the rear window.  Give it a few months and everyone will be too busy looking at the aesthetically unpleasing sight of your rusted brake discs and hubs to worry about a rear window wiper 

Safety is too big an issue to fall for that "form over function" wheeze as far as the rear wiper is concerned. I use mine a lot. 

 

 

1 hour ago, penguin17 said:

  Give it a few months and everyone will be too busy looking at the aesthetically unpleasing sight of your rusted brake discs and hubs to worry about a rear window wiper 

 

We have had the Superb 21 months now and we are still waiting for the rear discs and hubs to rust, they still look like new. Having been promised this feature on many posts its very disappointing.

 

On our Kia Ceed the discs rusted the day after we bought the car and after a night on the drive (no need for rain) the pads would be rusted to the discs. Moving off was accompanied by a clunk as they  came unstuck. After 5 years still original and still doing it.

 

No complaints about the Superb.

 

I don't have one and don't miss it. OK if it is frosty I have to wait a bit to clear the rear screen after the heater warms up but I used to do that anyway. If it has been raining overnight a quick wipe can clear the standing drips (now there's a picture for a joke  ) in seconds.

Once under way I have never noticed that the vision from the rear window has been reduced to an unsafe level. The crud doesn't seem to collect on the window as it has on other cars so it is only ever raindrops.

I haven't treated the glass with anything other than bog standard glass cleaner.

  

2 hours ago, penguin17 said:

I would go the other way and have it fitted, if you don't use it then you can remove it and fit a blanking plate.  Far easier and probably cheaper in the long run.  

 

I don't get the 'aesthetics' point of view.  It's a slab sided family barge, not a Pagani.  The wiper is almost invisible anyway as it sits on top of the black glass 'surround' of the rear window.  Give it a few months and everyone will be too busy looking at the aesthetically unpleasing sight of your rusted brake discs and hubs to worry about a rear window wiper 

 

Agreed on the first point, much cheaper to retro-remove than to retro-fit, that alone probably settles my dilemma.

Regarding aesthetics though I think it's pretty simple really, less visual obtrusion, cleaner, sportier look. Principle applies to design in general, from cars, bikes, bicycles etc, far from a Pagani thing. Small things but if you've got an eye for them they make some difference. That been said, I wouldn't be surprised if someone thought all Superb variants look the same. I've had people confusing a Clubsport for a standard Golf for that matter. Still to me the Sportline looks significantly more pleasant in my eyes. I actually only started considering the Superb as a candidate after I found out about the Sportline.
 

 

10 minutes ago, Sagalout said:

I don't have one and don't miss it. OK if it is frosty I have to wait a bit to clear the rear screen after the heater warms up but I used to do that anyway. If it has been raining overnight a quick wipe can clear the standing drips (now there's a picture for a joke  ) in seconds.

Once under way I have never noticed that the vision from the rear window has been reduced to an unsafe level. The crud doesn't seem to collect on the window as it has on other cars so it is only ever raindrops.

I haven't treated the glass with anything other than bog standard glass cleaner.

  

Cheers, that's what I was mostly after to be honest. People that didn't have them fitted testifying whether they felt their drive was a pain or even dangerous because of this. Sure a rear wiper is a convenience and I also use mine from time to time (not that often though) but considering how many seem to be driving around without them I would imagine it's not a life-and-death feature. There's plenty of other items that have become obligatory due to safety regulations but a rear wiper is not amongst them.

Edited 4 December, 20187 yr by newbie69

3 hours ago, newbie69 said:

So, opinions? People that skipped it on their sedans and like it or regretted the option? I think I can still alter this in my order, nothing has been confirmed yet from the factory.

 

I wanted to have rear camera, so it was mandatory to add to spec rear wiper (very strange, but it was such requirement when I was building my spec of Superb). I don't liked it - because it looks very strange. but now I am happy with it. In summer - it is not needed, but in winter time when there is snow, when you drive all snow (even small amount) is "collected" on the rear window and stays here. This "aerodynamic effect" especially appears when I drive in city, on speed ~50-60 km/h. All snow from roof,  sky, even from road, finally lays down on rear window and wiper helps to get rid from it. So, in UK maybe this is not so important, but in Sweden I guess it matters.

I guess the rear wiper is required for the camera as the washer for the wiper also washes the camera lens (well it does on my Combi).

 

Rear wiper is a must have.

All the water and melting ice etc runs down the back window.

Maybe a roof spoiler may break the flow of water down the rear screen?

My previous two cars before the Superb 'sedan' (it's a fastback to me not a hatchback) were an A3 Saloon and a VW Passat CC. Neither of those had rear wipers of course.

 

Living with those over 6 years total.... I'd have liked a rear wiper I guess but once the rear window cleared the airflow seemed to sort it.

 

But on the Superb there is a lot of water that runs down the rear window on the move at times... I have a wiper of course. Why not. But it's something I'd spec again in a heartbeat anyway. But without it it's not as good for rear visibility as the other two cars I reference. I assume they were designed to re-direct water somehow because there is no wiper.

Also as said I think the rear wiper is needed for the rear view camera (must have a way of cleaning the lens).

defintely to wipe.

 

my sedan doesn't have a rear wiper, nor was it an option for us down under - stupid a55 mofos!!!

i would've definitely specc'ed it.  my rear windows get filthy with the slightest bit of rain drops - all the dirt just sticks to it.

 

as for the RVC and Rear Wiper combo u guys r talking about - none of those rules apply to us.  

All Australian specc'ed Superbs get the RVC as standard, hatch or wagon.  however the RVC does NOT have any washer cleaning feature, at least on the hatch.
Only the Wagon gets a rear wiper as standard.

The Hatch does NOT get a rear wiper, full stop.  not even as an option!!!  bl00dy 'ell.

 

I had one on my previous mk2 MY11 Octavia RS hatch - it was so useful.  

Edited 5 December, 20187 yr by JR RS

5 hours ago, JR RS said:

defintely to wipe.

 

my sedan doesn't have a rear wiper, nor was it an option for us down under - stupid a55 mofos!!!

i would've definitely specc'ed it.  my rear windows get filthy with the slightest bit of rain drops - all the dirt just sticks to it.

 

as for the RVC and Rear Wiper combo u guys r talking about - none of those rules apply to us.  

All Australian specc'ed Superbs get the RVC as standard, hatch or wagon.  however the RVC does NOT have any washer cleaning feature, at least on the hatch.
Only the Wagon gets a rear wiper as standard.

The Hatch does NOT get a rear wiper, full stop.  not even as an option!!!  bl00dy 'ell.

 

I had one on my previous mk2 MY11 Octavia RS hatch - it was so useful.  

Lol, someone's missing his rear wiper a lot it seems! Cheers. Might actually ask my dealer to add it in the end if it's still possible.

Same thing about RVC and rear wiper independency applies in Sweden. RVC is standard on the Sportline but the wiper is an option.

6 hours ago, rtj70 said:

Also as said I think the rear wiper is needed for the rear view camera (must have a way of cleaning the lens).

Rear view camera doesn't require a wiper, most of them are built in to the tailgate handle so wouldn't get wiped anyway.

7 minutes ago, D402 said:

Rear view camera doesn't require a wiper, most of them are built in to the tailgate handle so wouldn't get wiped anyway.

 

On my Combi the camera is in the handle but it has a  dedicated screenwash jet that cleans the lens and its plumbed in the rear wash/wipe and operates when the washer on the window does. I don't know if there is also a camera without the squirter, but if there isn't, that might be a reason why you 'need' a rear wiper if you have a camera, so that you have the associated pump and pipework?

Edited 5 December, 20187 yr by edwards

22 hours ago, newbie69 said:

People that skipped it on their sedans and like it or regretted the option?

personally regretting i not selected that FREE option
yes, i don't like how it looks and can live with out it in visibility trough rear window aspect

 

BUT without it is required huge amount of parts to install washer for rear view camera
list of part codes:
https://www.drive2.com/l/458730270955173029/

https://www.drive2.com/l/477761717720318097/

+ another water tank with second pump

 

easier would be remove just wiper than install that all parts
 

1 hour ago, edwards said:

I don't know if there is also a camera without the squirter, but if there isn't, that might be a reason why you 'need' a rear wiper if you have a camera, so that you have the associated pump and pipework?

 

As I said earlier - there exists RVCs without the squirter........

 

There is no legal requirement for a reversing camera to have a cleaner.

7 minutes ago, MartiniB said:

personally regretting i not selected that FREE option
yes, i don't like how it looks and can live with out it in visibility trough rear window aspect

 

BUT without it is required huge amount of parts to install washer for rear view camera
list of part codes:
https://www.drive2.com/l/458730270955173029/

https://www.drive2.com/l/477761717720318097/

+ another water tank with second pump

 

easier would be remove just wiper than install that all parts
 

So you mean you wanted to retro-fit a rear camera washer? Was it getting dirty so often? 

Edited 5 December, 20187 yr by newbie69

3 minutes ago, newbie69 said:

Was it getting dirty so often? 

just one hour needed in a rainy day :(

even rear spoiler did't improve that

https://www.drive2.com/l/492469884765078083/

44 minutes ago, MartiniB said:

just one hour needed in a rainy day :(

even rear spoiler did't improve that

https://www.drive2.com/l/492469884765078083/

One hour needed to clean the camera? I am misunderstanding something for sure here!

Anyways folks, I contacted the dealer asking if it's possible to add it. He said sure let me check the status of the order, only to come back soon after this saying "actually the car has been locked already for production during week 3 2019!" he also said it has a +5 status? (not sure I got what's that). So to add it we would need to cancel the order and make a new one which would be rather complicated.

#nowiperlife for me then I guess...

6 minutes ago, newbie69 said:

One hour needed to clean the camera? I am misunderstanding something for sure here!

opposite, to become dirty