Superb Wiper Blades

[ashmannnn]

Anyone like to share their experience with Wiper Blade replacement. I am thinking of replacing mine soon and given the wide prices i have seen, I would be keen to hear from others.

For example, has anyone purchased these (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/600mm-x-450mm-Bracketless-Windscreen-Wiper-Blade-Black-2-Pcs-for-Skoda-Superb-/151546465794?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2348df8e02) types of ones off ebay? Or do people generally stick to the Bosch (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Bosch-Aerotwin-Multi-Clip-Windshield-Windscreen-Wiper-AM600U-/251697873033?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&fits=Make%3ASkoda%7CModel%3ASuperb&hash=item3a9a5cc089) ones?

Thoughts suggestions welcomed.:bigok:

[Lucas_R]

Get the Bosch ones from the Bosch Aust website (they used to be a sponsor on here - not sure if they still are or not).

[ashmannnn]

Thank you Lucas_R

[ashmannnn]

OMG... after visiting the Bosch shop, I just realised that the prices of around $30 only refers to one wiper blade, not a set of two... so a set will cost me close enough to $60 ! hmmmm

[ashmannnn]

anyone used wiper blades from www.wipertech.com.au (http://www.wipertech.com.au) ? I read and have heard good things about them. ??

[Guest001]

OMG... after visiting the Bosch shop, I just realised that the prices of around $30 only refers to one wiper blade, not a set of two... so a set will cost me close enough to $60 ! hmmmm Dont cry our Polo ones were $75 for the two arms from a dealer

[ashmannnn]

cant help but raise a little sniffle based on the price :-)

[brad]

You realise you can buy just the insert for a fraction of the assembly price??

Even from the UK you're looking at AUD45-50 so the AU Bosch site is competitive.

[ashmannnn]

Thanks Brad... as far as I can tell, these are listed as "Bracketless" so I am assuming its just the insert part.

600mm X 450mm Bracketless Windscreen Wiper Blade Black 2 PCS FOR Skoda Superb | eBay (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/600mm-x-450mm-Bracketless-Windscreen-Wiper-Blade-Black-2-Pcs-for-Skoda-Superb-/151546465794?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&clk_rvr_id=764596617233&hash=item2348df8e02&rmvSB=true)

[ashmannnn]

These are a pair but not just the inserts, the whole package as far as I can tell.... the pair delivered from Melb for $26.95 and he appears to have many different ones.

2X Aero Flex Wiper Blades Skoda Vehicles Front Wipers | eBay (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/251785196299?var=550708068340&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649)

[brad]

I have no idea what the first guy is selling. I doubt the 2nd are genuine Bosch.

If you search the Golf or possibly Octavia section you'll find out about the inserts. They are genuine from VW & come with new end-caps.

[ashmannnn]

Thanks for the heads up... will check for other threads.

[Elektron]

Thanks for the heads up... will check for other threads.

I've bought mine from the UK (I think it might have been this mob Wiper Blades Ltd. | Suppliers of Quality Windscreen Wiper Blades. (http://www.wiperblades.co.uk/)) for roughly 1/2 the price of the same wiper blades here in Australia - it was a while back, I think other UK places are roughly the same.

With the Bosch wiper blades you need to beware, there's two genuine types, one made in Eu and the other in China. I think I've seen reviews saying that you definitely want the EU made ones. The place above probably still sells both, the Chinese are cheaper (obviously).

Most auto stores in Sydney at least, weren't stocking Bosch blades at the time.

[skodian]

I've bought mine from the UK (I think it might have been this mob Wiper Blades Ltd. | Suppliers of Quality Windscreen Wiper Blades. (http://www.wiperblades.co.uk/)) for roughly 1/2 the price of the same wiper blades here in Australia - it was a while back, I think other UK places are roughly the same.

With the Bosch wiper blades you need to beware, there's two genuine types, one made in Eu and the other in China. I think I've seen reviews saying that you definitely want the EU made ones. The place above probably still sells both, the Chinese are cheaper (obviously).

Most auto stores in Sydney at least, weren't stocking Bosch blades at the time.

I bought mine through Bosch Australian (Bosch e-store) for $65 approx del from Mel to Syd as I could not find any major retailer stocked them. Yes, the one that they sell is made in China which I found it is good enough. AM 600 U & AM 450 U
The Geuine one is around 100$ without fittings from the stealers.

[ashmannnn]

Bought a pair of eBaY delivered for $15.... spine around the wrong way, wont just clip in like it is supposed to slide in. The clip is different and wont push in all the way. Try to change the old clip onto the new blades, the spine that the clip fits over is too fat on the new blades..... sent complaint, got refund... Wipertech here i come..........

[brad]

They would have been for a LHD vehicle

[ashmannnn]

ahhh yes of course Brad... thanks for that.. but they had no chance of fitting....hm unliess they clip also was meant to go in upside down as it would going the other way.. so ok..looks like he sent me a set for a left hand drive....maybe i should have specified that....

[VRSJas]

That or you could get the Goodyear ones from Costco. Mine have been in for over a year now and still fine.

[bobski]

I bought an ebay rear for about $15. Took a couple of weeks to turn up and its clearly not as good a quality clip. But it worked just fine. My last genuine one from the dealer died after about 3 months. The mark up on genuine is highway robbery.

[Vexed]

I bought the Bosch ones online from Bosch... Very disappointed, they lasted me around 9 months. The car is always garaged and I use Bosch wiper fluid to keep them moist... I complained to Bosch and they said that's normal.
Sent from my Windows Phone

[brad]

I bought the Bosch ones online from Bosch... Very disappointed, they lasted me around 9 months. The car is always garaged and I use Bosch wiper fluid to keep them moist... I complained to Bosch and they said that's normal.
Sent from my Windows Phone

you need a very clean windscreen & very clean wiper blades.

It does make you wonder because my factory fit wipers lasted 5 years. Normally I'd change them every year.

The Bosch replacements I bought were looking really bad after 12 months - juddering & smearing. Then I smashed my windscreen. Suddenly the wipers were like new again. I used to keep my windscreen really clean but the sandblasting of the surface must have been an issue.

I believe Costco sell Goodyear wipers that are very good

[Vexed]

you need a very clean windscreen & very clean wiper blades.



It does make you wonder because my factory fit wipers lasted 5 years. Normally I'd change them every year.



The Bosch replacements I bought were looking really bad after 12 months - juddering & smearing. Then I smashed my windscreen. Suddenly the wipers were like new again. I used to keep my windscreen really clean but the sandblasting of the surface must have been an issue.



I believe Costco sell Goodyear wipers that are very good


Interesting point. I do wash the car once a week though. I will try to clean the windscreen really well and will see if it makes a difference.
There is no physical damage on the blade, it only leaves a smear on the way back...

[bobski]

I've found wax is a real killer for wipers. If I'm being lazy and using a hand carwash (about 85% of the time LOL), I try not to get wax on the front/rear screens.

Doesn't hurt to give it a really good clean and a coat of rainx (people have varying opinions of it, but I reckon that stuff is fantastic).

[brad]

Clean the windscreen with toothpaste or ajax on a damp cloth. Allow to dry completely & wipe off with dry kitchen towel.

Clean wiperblades with metho or window cleaner

[Transporter]

There are dedicated glass polishes, like Autoglym, that I use for years. My wiper blades last always 5 years or so. :?

+1 for the Rainx, they do a glass cleaner now as well as the headlight restorer... good stuff.

[Vexed]

Thanks guys, will try that and let you know how it goes.

[ashmannnn]

My $22 a pair off Ebay from a company in Melbourne.. were less than impressive.. first rain, the drivers side wiper flow off with the second pass..... great.... :-(

[Vexed]

I have tried rainx for a while now... It is not bad, somehow how the wipers start smooth, especially when there is enough rain, then after 5-10 minutes the chattering starts... I will just buy new wipers, probably Bosch, I can't find any better alternative...

[brad]

I have tried rainx for a while now... It is not bad, somehow how the wipers start smooth, especially when there is enough rain, then after 5-10 minutes the chattering starts... I will just buy new wipers, probably Bosch, I can't find any better alternative...RainX isn't really for making your wipers operate smoothly. I use it in lieu of wipers.

If you are getting chatter then it's either build up on the blades or glass.

Car Care Products sell Nanolex glass sealant. It's a level above rainX in both price & performance. They also have Stoners & Wolf but I'm not sure how they perform.

[Vexed]

RainX isn't really for making your wipers operate smoothly. I use it in lieu of wipers.



If you are getting chatter then it's either build up on the blades or glass.



Car Care Products sell Nanolex glass sealant. It's a level above rainX in both price & performance. They also have Stoners & Wolf but I'm not sure how they perform.


Yeah I see where you are coming from, but I noticed that RainX works best if your are doing 60kmh+
Below that I had to use wipers to clear the water.

[ashmannnn]

Now i know the secret.. my local guru of all things VW told me...

To put the wipers in Park mode (so you can change the blades with ease) you just turn off the key, and push the wiper colum down so that it springs back but makes the wipers move.. they move to the vertical and stop there until you start the car again...

You also carefully pull the end of the unit of the wiper and you will see a small catch keeping the rubber element in place... pry up the end of it (the part furtherest from the end of the wiper blade) as it has 2 small metal prongs that push into the rubber of the blade after you clamp it down.. I know it sounds not easy.. but trust me it is.. approach the strip of metal running parrallel with the rubber blade from the side and pry it up... you will see the two metal prongs... then you can slide the rubber out..... give it a try.. the rubber inserts were $12 from my local VW Guru, as opposed to $54.95 from Wiper Tech for the entire units....

cheers