Evening chaps
Just about to replace the slightly noisy (I'm guessing worn) wipers on the Camry (144K and still running like clockwork, thanks for asking!) as part of the 'lets get ready for winter' preparations.
Just wondered if anyone had any recommendations other than the Bosch ones with a spoiler I tend to go for, either from Halfords or an online supplier.
The online store has Trico Neoforms which they claim are the bee's knees but I'm slightly put off by the fact that they seem to have spammed every car owners club going, offering alleged discounts.
Odd, getting to that time of life where a clear windscreen and silent wipers suddely becomes so important...it'll be driving gloves and a tartan blanket next I tells ya!
ps: just discovered ( 2 years on) that the previous owner had stored a box of replacement bulbs in a cubby hole under the boot carpet with each pack seperated from the next by a small piece of polystyrene to damp vibration. My only gripe is that the thing hasn't blown a bulb (apart from one rear numberplate bulb) in the time I've had it!
|
|
Aldi - when they have your size, buy a couple of pairs. About £2 each and hey work for a year or so - about as long as I get from branded ones at 5 times the price.
|
I always replace complete blade assemblies (not just the rubber) from the dealership of the car involved.
Its always given me two years of judder/squeeky/smear free screens ever since I adopted this policy. Its worth every peaceful cent paid
Edited by Altea Ego on 05/10/2009 at 21:15
|
|
I'd second that. In my experience, genuine wiper blades tend to be of very high quality, and can often be very reasonably priced.
|
I always fit manufacturer ones, they're comparable on price (at least for VAG, Ford and Honda from my experience) with Halfords alternatives and 'look right', work well and don't screech.
I'm sure the Lidl deals are OK but don't have a Lidl near me in any case.
It always amuses me to see cars with ill-fitted wipers e.g. no aerofoil on the driver side, wrong length passenger side wiper or the older VAG/Volvo 'curved' passenger wiper fitted upside down or with a straight version. Suggests a rather laissez faire attitude to motoring to me......
Best I've seen is the driver's aerofoil fitted on the top edge, meaning that someone can't work out how to fit the wiper for RHD.
Or am I being too uncharitable ?
|
|
|
|
|
Aldi and Lidl both have motoring offers coming up in the next week or so, including wipers that are inexpensive but work as well as anything Halfords offer.
|
The second time today I'm posting a Lidl link.
They ought to be paying me commision.
tinyurl.com/yehhb7d
|
bosch are the best
my original equipment ones were rubbish, replaced by bosch ones from ebay, much cheaper than halfords but great quality
|
My VAG vehicle has Bosch "Aeros" as standard.
Although undoubtedly durable, the rubber compound for the blade is incorrectly specified. Low temperature flexibility is insufficient and they wipe very badly under sub-zero conditions until the screen warms.
More seriously, the rubber has a "memory effect" and develops a set when parked. This means that when the wipers have been unused for a while, they do not flip on the return stroke and judder and smear. The "fix" is to flip the rubber the other way from time to time when the wipers are out of use.
This is not really acceptable on a modern vehicle - however durable the blades are. Bottom of the class, Bosch.
659.
|
My VAG vehicle has Bosch "Aeros" as standard.
Are you sure they're not Valeo?
I lift share with 2 lads with Alfa 147s, both bought blades from the well known bike store and both emit a large slap before returning to the passenger side.
OE VAG for me via an ebay seller
|
Bosch - without a doubt.
659.
Edited by 659FBE on 06/10/2009 at 01:01
|
|
|
|
My local Lidl is so small that most of mechanical /DIY stuff is never there.
I have to visit other shops further away to hopefully find stuff.
The phone nos are not obvious to check stock
I need two sets cos my wipers are different lengths.
Do They have aerofoils on them ?
I only consider LIDL for anything if I am passing by another store.
Suddenly Ford or Bosch look a good option - to hell with the cost :-)
|
The last time they sold sets of different lengths, presumably for the most popular cars.
I had to buy two sets of equal lengths for my set-up though.
The longer of the two (drivers side IIRC) came with aerofoil.
|
I use the Lidl wiper blades too, change em every year (mostly) and for £3.99 they are economical and work well. Annoying that cars mostly now have 2 different size wiper blades, so I have to buy 2 packs (2 years supply). They also do a good deal on the bulbs (headlamp/sidelight as well.
Funny enough car bits and pieces starts on the 18th October...so i'll be getting some wiper blades.
Edited by davecuk on 06/10/2009 at 00:45
|
Funny enough car bits and pieces starts on the 18th October...
I think that should be 12 Oct. (See bt's post above.)
|
"More seriously, the rubber has a "memory effect" and develops a set when parked. This means that when the wipers have been unused for a while, they do not flip on the return stroke and judder and smear. The "fix" is to flip the rubber the other way from time to time when the wipers are out of use."
Exactly the situation when I fitted Bosch blades to my mk2 Punto. I persevered for a few months `flipping` the blades, when parked, but by then I was sick of the `scrawking` and juddering on the return stroke.
The solution? Champion blades from Charlie Browns, these are silent and never fail to flip on the return stoke. The rubber seems softer and more flexible.
Edited by oilrag on 06/10/2009 at 09:24
|
For years I bought Bosch 'Super Plus' wipers either from Halfords or online but recently I've been disappointed with them.
Our Galaxy rear wiper doesn't clear the top of the window and the fronts on my Vectra have a smear and take a while to 'settle down' into giving a clear sweep. The previous set of GM branded wipers (on the Vectra) from the main dealer were cheaper and better.
Cannot fault the Bosch Aerotwins on the front of the Galaxy though.
Bought a Halfords own branded wiper, once. Flimsy and juddered so returned for a refund. It was on a single wiper Mercedes though so maybe the motor was too strong/vigorous for it...
|
>>Our Galaxy rear wiper doesn't clear the top of the window
>>
I had the same problem with Bosch on the rear with a Focus.
>>
Examination of the blade showed it would not bend enough to follow the contour of the glass.
I swopped it for a Tecalamet which was fine.
I compared the Ford, Bosch and Tecalamet for bend and the Bosch was way off what what was needed.
As others have said get the OE version. You know it makes sense ( and it will work)
|
|
Was dubious and bought a set of Lidl wipers last year. Still on the car, no smears, and cheap. £3.99 or £4.99 if I remember. £10 a pop in Halfords, although GSF and Euro and others trade about £6. But a faff to just get wipers from trade sales. On 2 cars I saved a bomb and no problems at all. Go for it.
|
|
I tried Bosch once on a Subaru, squeaked like anything. So back to factory ones for me. A bit dearer but they fit perfectly, are quiet and last ages.
|
Was dubious and bought a set of Lidl wipers last year.
So did I, & they're still fine. They do sell sets with two of different lengths, too, which initially confused me. However, when they're sold out, you've missed out!
|
|
Maybe we can have a Back Room meeting on the doorstep of Lidl next monday morning while we wait in the queue for the doors to open. :-)
|
Yes! Race you to the other good 'uns, which are (from experience): jack, "antifreeze screenwash", headlamp bulbs, glass wipes[1], "windscreen cleaner", engine oil[2].
[1] Perilously close to "cleaning", but I do like to have clear (inside especially) windows.
[2] For my older-type cars. Not knowing about new ones, I couldn't comment apart from "read the label". Observation: This is more expenseve oil than their normal one.
|
|
|
|
|
In the past I've bought Halfords own brand, and Bosch, but I now buy the car manufactiurer's genuine spares. They fit better, are easier to fit, work just as well (if not better) and are literally only a few pence more.
|
I bought and fitted a complete set of 3 Bosch wipers from local motor factor for SWMBO's Yaris and paid around £15 but it so worth it to stop the noise of squeaking and judder from the Halfords cheapies I last fitted.
Even more worth it as it also stops the noise of SWMBO complaining .....
At the same time I checked the oil and tyre pressures on her and my car and topped up the washer fluids .....
I then had to go and have a lie down.....
|
|
|
|
