Spec me some windscreen wipers

Daff_Duck · 20 Mar 2008 at 09:49

Sick of paying over the odds for poor quality wipers .. can anyone recommend a supplier of good quality wipers. I live out in the sticks and my screen is constantly getting dirty even if I take good care of them they dont seem to do the job for too long. Sick of going to the local motor store and paying for what ever is "supposed" to be good only to find out they dont last very long .. Also what is the expected life span of wipers how often should you change them?

MarkDavis · 20 Mar 2008 at 09:50

Try some Bosch Aerotwins.

Jez · 20 Mar 2008 at 09:53

I have a set of bosch blades and they seem fine around 5000 miles after ive fitted them. I live right out in the sticks too

233 · 20 Mar 2008 at 10:25

try a good quality screen wash too

makes a world of difference

but as everyone else says bosch aeros

Jez · 20 Mar 2008 at 10:27

Foxtrot26 said:
try a good quality screen wash too

makes a world of difference

but as everyone else says bosch aeros

Cant say ive ever noticed a difference between screenwashes, i use tesco/asda/morrisons/<insert whatever shop i happen to be in> concentrate and dilute it with tap water. All seem to work the same, the trick is not to be stingy and dilute it too much, keep the mixture a nice dark blue.

233 · 20 Mar 2008 at 10:28

Jez said:
Cant say ive ever noticed a difference between screenwashes, i use tesco/asda/morrisons/<insert whatever shop i happen to be in> concentrate and dilute it with tap water. All seem to work the same, the trick is not to be stingy and dilute it too much, keep the mixture a nice dark blue.

thats what i meant,

i just pour mine in undiluted cuts through everything,

its all pretty much the same anyway

pretty cheap if you shop around and buy in bulk

nicRob · 20 Mar 2008 at 10:36

I've just got some Bosch Aerotwin wipers, much better than the standard wipers I had on before. They last a long time too, if the set on our passat is anything to go by (unlike nomal bosch wipers which start to smear very quickly ime)

Howard · 20 Mar 2008 at 10:38

Another vote for the Aerotwins. They rock.

JIM_BOB7813 · 20 Mar 2008 at 10:48

I got some cheapo ones from Wilkinsons, were £1.50 each blade i think and have lasted through the winter, only 1 is starting to judder very slightly now.

Conscript · 20 Mar 2008 at 10:54

I bought my Aerotwins about a year ago, and they are only just starting to wear, getting a haze effect on the screen. Absolutely silent too, bloody brilliant all round.

blueboy2001 · 20 Mar 2008 at 11:04

Valeo Silencio XTRM flat blades > Aerotwins in my experience, but they are a touch more expensive. Ignore the wear indicators which go yellow in about 3 months in summer!

lordrobs · 20 Mar 2008 at 11:08

Foxtrot26 said:
i just pour mine in undiluted cuts through everything,

Isn't pure concentrate strong enough to strip the wax from your car? I tend to go for 25% screen wash and 75% water all year round.

lolism · 20 Mar 2008 at 11:10

I think i'll pick up a set of these. Where do they sell them? Halfords?

I'll have to start buying screen wash instead of using fairy washing up liquid

Is there a noticable difference?

Jez · 20 Mar 2008 at 11:10

Undiluted would also cost a relative fortune, screenwash is around £1/litre? My screenwash tank is 8L and i get through that in around a week at this time of year. Thats £32/month in screenwash!

Conscript · 20 Mar 2008 at 11:13

lolism said:
I think i'll pick up a set of these. Where do they sell them? Halfords?

I'll have to start buying screen wash instead of using fairy washing up liquid Is there a noticable difference?

www.wiperblades.co.uk are pretty good. Halfords are probably more expensive.

kirbrot · 20 Mar 2008 at 11:14

I've always found genuine wipers to be the best. I've tried so many different types and makes with all sorts of claims and they have always been pretty poor compared to genuine manufacturer ones.

pinkaardvark · 20 Mar 2008 at 12:22

kirbrot said:
I've always found genuine wipers to be the best. I've tried so many different types and makes with all sorts of claims and they have always been pretty poor compared to genuine manufacturer ones.

Manufacturers don't make wiper blades, they just buy them in from bosch and valeo and stick their logo on them to up the price

MarkDavis · 20 Mar 2008 at 12:26

Foxtrot26 said:
i just pour mine in undiluted cuts through everything

including your paint.

thepharcyde · 20 Mar 2008 at 13:18

PIAA if they fit. They are the best out there. Why other manufacturers have not cottened onto the simple silicon theory is beyond me. Close thread

MarkDavis · 20 Mar 2008 at 13:29

thepharcyde said:
PIAA if they fit. They are the best out there. Why other manufacturers have not cottened onto the simple silicon theory is beyond me. Close thread

Effective wipers that last a long time = reduced profits
Effective wipers that work for 3 months before smearing = more sales

There's no incentive for manufacturers to produce a great 'wiper'. For £5 or whatever, most people aren't bothered enough to generate sufficient pressure on manufactures to produce an effective, long lasting wiper, who in won't be interested because it has impact on sales (and thus profits). Windscreen wipers are dull anyway. As long as they work for a reasonable period of time, who cares.