Windscreen and rear screen both supplied with one small reservoir !!

[ARoosterinaRoadster]

After owning my BMW 330i Touring Automatic (Estate car) for some two years+ I am afraid that I find it rather odd that the Mercedes C220 CDI Estate makes do with a single circa 3 litre water reservoir.

The variant/variants that have the headlamp washer system do seemingly benefit from a considerably larger reservoir being that they use the washer system for all three locations.

It is a given fact that estate cars and other similarly shaped vehicles such as car derived vans attracted road muck onto the rear like they have a 'Muck Magnet' attached.

 

[Ron240]

It is a given fact that estate cars and other similarly shaped vehicles such as car derived vans attracted road muck onto the rear like they have a 'Muck Magnet' attached.

I believe all cars of this type including hatchbacks attract dirt to the rear window equally, but doesnt seem to be as bad with saloon cars hence no rear wash/wipe. There has been saloon cars with a rear wash/wipe, but it is extremely rare and I can only think of one example offhand.
I think your observation is correct in that generally only cars with headlamp washers benefit from a larger wash reservoir.
This has been my own personal experience anyway.

 

[bembo449]

Mazda 323 and subaru impreza that i can think of

 

[Blobcat]

I believe all cars of this type including hatchbacks attract dirt to the rear window equally, but doesnt seem to be as bad with saloon cars hence no rear wash/wipe. There has been saloon cars with a rear wash/wipe, but it is extremely rare and I can only think of one example offhand.
I think your observation is correct in that generally only cars with headlamp washers benefit from a larger wash reservoir.
This has been my own personal experience anyway.

If a Saloon car needs a rear wiper the designer needs shot! The airflow should naturally clear the rear screen when designed well

Mazda 323 and subaru impreza that i can think of

and Ford Orion

 

[Ron240]

and Ford Orion

Which is precisely the one I was thinking of...a Mk.3 Orion Ghia Si.
A neighbour of mine bought a new one back in the early 90's.

 

[sonic]

My 212 E350CDI rear window stays very clean. I cant ever remember filling my washer bottle between services.
I had an Orion Ghia late 80's for a short while, it was my next door neighbours company car. Bought it very cheap made very nicely on it when I sold it a couple of months later for a VW Golf GTI 16V a great car.

 

[Ron240]

I had an Orion Ghia late 80's

That would have been a Mk.2 which didnt have a rear wiper.
I had a brand new limited edition GLSi in 1989, which turned out to be a rust bucket!

 

[sonic]

That would have been a Mk.2 which didnt have a rear wiper.
I had a brand new limited edition GLSi in 1989, which turned out to be a rust bucket!

Correct no rear wiper, I didn't keep it long enough to rust.

 

[BillyBoy]

If a Saloon car needs a rear wiper the designer needs shot! The airflow should naturally clear the rear screen when designed well
and Ford Orion

I would have to disagree, and never understand why they are not fitted to saloons. Airflow is fine when you are driving down the motorway at 70, but when you've spent 10 minutes in a queue of traffic in heavy rain and then want to reverse into a space, airflow doesn't help.

 

[sonic]

I would have to disagree, and never understand why they are not fitted to saloons. Airflow is fine when you are driving down the motorway at 70, but when you've spent 10 minutes in a queue of traffic in heavy rain and then want to reverse into a space, airflow doesn't help.

Never had a problem I tend to reverse on my door mirrors, & just confirm with the interior mirror.

 

[mioba]

I dont really see the issue unless you never check, fill it yourself and wait for the garage to do it during service.

 

[s5tuart]

My local main dealer tops up everything for free if you have your car serviced there. Oil, antifreeze, washer fluid. Quite a useful add-on.
Not that mine needs anything other than screenwash occasionally.