Valeo Windscreen Wipers [Archive] - MoneySavingExpert.com Forums

CrazyChemist

09-08-2005, 8:16 PM

Anyone heard of this brand before?

I had some Bosch wipers fitted last year and was expecting them to last longer than a year, but they didn't. Bosch won't reply to my emails so that's the last time I buy any of their products. :mad:

Anyway :o , I'm about to replace just the rubber blades, not the actual wiper wings... is this easy to do? It certainly is cheaper!

The brand from a local Motor Factor is "Valeo". I've never heard of this brand in my life but does anyone know what sort of quality I can expect from them?

ohreally

09-08-2005, 10:03 PM

Anyone heard of this brand before?

Big player in the automotive parts game...http://www.valeo.com/automotive-supplier/Jahia/

Tbh, i wouldn't bother with new rubbers,just get a new set of blades. Bosch are generally regarded as one of the better brands...oops you don't want to hear that though.
Fitting new rubbers can be a little tricky,there's a knack to it.If your happy to fart about doing this fair do's.Personally i'd get a new pair of blades.

CrazyChemist

09-08-2005, 10:15 PM

I tried a set of Champion Blades which weren't very good at all and I had to return them, however I was told that this is because my windscreen is 'curved' (it's on an Almera) and that is why they didn't clean properly and kept juddering.

The Bosch wipers worked brilliantly for the first couple of months then downhill from there :mad:

The guy at the motor factor place said that he could easily fit the Valeo rubber blades. I don't see how replacing the whole metal wings as well is going to affect the wiping capability of the blades :confused:. It's just that the Bosch ones have a nice design :o and spoiler :p and there's nothing wrong with them really so I'd feel uneasy about chucking them away.

Is there any advantage with having the whole units replaced (apart from the obvious time and trickness involved with sliding new rubbers into the clips)?

blue_haddock

09-08-2005, 11:35 PM

No worries about Valeo - they are a major OEM supplier for a large number of parts for a large number of manufacturers

mr_accountant

10-08-2005, 2:36 AM

im suprised about comments re. bosch, i have a 24 and 20 inch bosch super spoiler wiper blades and they are very good. only cost £13 of ebay too.

valeo too are a famous firm, should be ok too.autotrader did a test on some wiper blades which may be off help-link below

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/product_test/43861/windscreen_wipers.html

ohreally

10-08-2005, 10:38 AM

I tried a set of Champion Blades which weren't very good at all and I had to return them, however I was told that this is because my windscreen is 'curved' (it's on an Almera) and that is why they didn't clean properly and kept juddering.

You must ensure the wipers are fitted correctly,they can be fitted the wrong way round - check your Bosch wipers,they should have a marker.If they are the wrong way round they will perform very poorly and judder badly ;)

CrazyChemist

10-08-2005, 11:20 AM

My Bosch wipers seem to be the right way round but are still smearing badly. They seem completely worn out even though it's just 12 months. I'm careful with their use too, i.e. I turn off wipers when stationery at traffic lights or in traffic jam.

Don't see why the company refuse to respond either...

Silent_Bob

10-08-2005, 11:42 AM

Try some Tenzo-R wipers - I've got them on mine (18 months now) and they're superb. I do also use Rain-X (or similar) and this seems to have prolonged their life somewhat.

CrazyChemist

10-08-2005, 1:07 PM

I notice that the Bosch wipers didn't feature in the top three for the Auto Express test :)

Maybe this says something about the true quality of their blades...

balsingh

10-08-2005, 2:26 PM

Which ones were the best in the Auto Express test?

CrazyChemist

10-08-2005, 3:00 PM

Top was a brand I've never heard of called "TP TV480".

Verdict

What a turn-up for the books - little-known TP grasping the win from big hitter Champion. Sort yourself a little local discount, however, and the price differential would not be an issue, so it's a close-run thing.

In third place, Valeo's Silencio produced good results and the wear indicator was useful. Again, though, the price for a pair was its downfall.
Windscreen wipers
1 TP TV480

2 Champion X48 Aerovantage

3 Valeo Silencio

They say that the "price was its downfall" but the Valeo rubber blades only, are the cheapest at my local factor, I think...

This is the review on Bosch Super Plus which only got 3 out of 5 yet were the most expensive:

Bosch Super Plus 19/19S
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/picture_library/dir_26/car_portal_pic_13445_t.jpg
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/product_test/images/rate3.gif
Rating:
Price: £16.99 (pair)

In its ready-boxed standard and spoiler blade set, the latter has an unusually long 'wing', which runs nearly the entire length of the unit. Performance was totally silent on the dry screen and the blades wiped well in the wet, although the passenger's-side example lifted slightly at the far extreme of its downstroke. While that may seem nit-picking, these are the most expensive blades we tested.

I think that says it all for Bosch :T I'm going for the Valeo unless the Motor Factor has the TP blades in :j

mr_accountant

10-08-2005, 5:51 PM

Test reviews are not the be all and end all, especially just one. They do give a general idea, for example autoexpress say bosch were too expensive, however if you shop around they can be found cheaply.

The difference between 3 and 4 stars is highly subjective with lots of variables. I would like to see more of these type or reviews to even out these variables and gain a more accurate picture.

vansboy

10-08-2005, 8:13 PM

Bosch & champion ARE the favourites, as far as most 'in the trade' are concerned.

But, as mentioned earlier, worth checking they've been fitted right.

& that the screen & rubbers are clean - you might have had some fallout/road polution on there, that you cant see.

Use neat screenwash on the actual blades, with some kitchen towel, to clean them. You'll see LOADS of black residue, before they're clean again.

& do the screen, with neat wash, too & polish off with scrunched up newspaer. (inside too)

Plus, a 12month replacement cycle isn't a bad idea, anyway!!

(Ask Jaguar - it's standard anual service requirement)

VB

10-08-2005, 8:47 PM

I'll stick with the ones from Wilkinsons at £2.99 per pair. At this price, even if you change them half a dozen times every year, you are still saving money.

CrazyChemist

10-08-2005, 9:37 PM

I'll stick with the ones from Wilkinsons at £2.99 per pair. At this price, even if you change them half a dozen times every year, you are still saving money.

If you change them half a dozen times a year you'll be paying almost £18 - you could have one decent pair for that! :D

Silent_Bob

15-08-2005, 4:10 PM

In my experience the Bosch ones are the worst I've had, but maybe that's because they dont fit my curved windscreen very well.

chrisw

15-08-2005, 8:12 PM

My Peugeot came with Valeo fitted as standard. I've found replacing the rubber only rarely works as all the joints on the arm become loose over time causing judder and the blades don't seem to stay in the clips very well. If they slide out a bit, it can end up scratching the windscreen.

chajun

19-08-2005, 3:50 PM

Hello all. I have a Jan re 2003 Skoda Fabia estate. So far the rear wiper has been replaced three times"dealer not interested"and the front twice"still not interested" The last rear one as replaced at Christmas 2004.
They appear to be junk. I have not abused them. Would anyone have the email address for their hq.This is not on!
Regards

19-08-2005, 8:58 PM

CrazyChemist

19-08-2005, 10:36 PM

are those the entire units or just the rubber blades from wilkinsons?

20-08-2005, 11:24 AM

are those the entire units or just the rubber blades from wilkinsons?

They're the entire units, not just the rubber.

CrazyChemist

20-08-2005, 11:29 AM

Thanks for that

I just phoned my local Wilkinson outlet but they only stock four sizes - 16, 18 20 and 22 inch.

My blades are 21" (spoiler) and 19". I asked about them but she said that "it is unusual to have two separate sizes"!! They don't even have a 21" let alone a 19" because then I could at least have bought a pack of each! :(

Any ideas/suggestions? :D

skiddy2k

20-08-2005, 11:38 AM

......
My blades are 21" (spoiler) and 19". I asked about them but she said that "it is unusual to have two separate sizes"!! ...............

Its actually very common to have two separate blade sizes!

CrazyChemist

20-08-2005, 3:40 PM

yeah, i know :(

Unfortunmately Wilkinson don't know that :( Did you have to get two packs of doubles for your car if you were luckey enough to match the limited sizes they stock?

20-08-2005, 6:59 PM

In fact, mine are actually 22" on the driver side and 19" on the passenger side - no spoiler one as it is a saloon. I did have to get two packs of each pair at £5.98 altogether - which is still cheaper than the famous branded ones.

As for the 19" one, I just got the 20" instead and it fits and it works. So if you have an odd size one (e.g. 15", 17", 19", 21", etc.), just get the next one up or the next one down and I'm sure it will do the job.

CrazyChemist

20-08-2005, 8:15 PM

Hmmmmm, Kwik Fit managed to fit a 20" blade to my driver side and it was noticeable as it juddered. Having said that they replaced it with 21" when I told them but it still juddered and wouldn't wipe properly. Those were Champion Brand blades. Probably because my windscreen curves unlike most :(

I'm not too happy about getting different sizes but if I do, would you recommend going up a size or going down?

skiddy2k

22-08-2005, 1:43 PM

I'm not too happy about getting different sizes but if I do, would you recommend going up a size or going down?

get what size wiperblades are recommended by your vehicle manufacturer, dont assume one size is better then another.
if in doubt, call your local dealership up for your car and ask them!

now, with the problem of juddering windscreen wipers, quite often people try there windscreen wipers without having mych water on there windscreens! So, because the wiper isnt wiping any water, ovcourse its going to judder!
best way of finding out whether or not it really judders is by putting your wipers on and throwing a bucket of water onto your windscreen!

P.S. dont stand to close otherwise you'll wet yourself!

CrazyChemist

22-08-2005, 10:30 PM

I can assure you there was PLENTY of water but they still juddered.

My dealer has advised that I shouldn't fit different sizes to the 21 and 19 which are on there now. That's pretty much what I thought all along.

So, off to a more expensive outlet for my size :(

skiddy2k

23-08-2005, 12:57 PM

CrazyChemist

24-08-2005, 9:28 AM

CrazyChemist

24-08-2005, 9:29 AM

Nissan Almera hatchback (1997).

Dealer recommends a 21" spoiler on driver side and a 19" on passenger side. This is what is on the car now.

Would there be any problems with just replacing the rubber blade and keeping the actual metal wing? Someone said the clips on the wing may get loose but I don't think so. I don't want to throw something away if it isn't broken or useless.

I've been quoted £11.39 for two Valeo complete unit blades and £5.31 for just two rubber blades which will slot in to the present wings. Does this sound reasonable?

chrisw

24-08-2005, 1:31 PM

Sounds reasonable, but I'd still go with the complete blades than mess around trying to get the rubber in the little clips.

CrazyChemist

24-08-2005, 2:39 PM

The chap at the motor factor shop is happy to "slide them in" for me :D

Problem is that they wipers seem to be wiping properly again. I wiped them with neat screenwash and that removed a little bit of gunk but today as it's cold they tend to leave a thin film, like a smear, whenever they swish. :(

skiddy2k

24-08-2005, 2:52 PM

many people do just replace the worn rubber refil itself. you can pick up a pair of rubber refils from halfords for £6.49.

but, if you do this, you should only change it on the wiper blade once. if you change the rubber on the 'metal wiper' more than once, the wiper looses tension and therefore doesnt wipe the screen peoperly even with a new set of the rubber refils.

overall, prefer the changing of the whole wiper!

chajun

05-09-2005, 6:04 PM

Hello. Where would I find Wilkinsons?

05-09-2005, 8:30 PM

Hello. Where would I find Wilkinsons?

Go to: http://www.wilko.co.uk/stores

and type in your address/post code.

CrazyChemist

05-09-2005, 8:40 PM

I've noticed that at high speeds, the water which is swished back down to resting position always sprays up above the wiper and onto the windscreen. This is very annoying for Bosch wipers and I now want to ditch the whole wipers and get new units, where can I get quality new units? 21" spoiler and 19". :D

skiddy2k

05-09-2005, 11:49 PM

try halfords own brand ones is an option

skiddy

CrazyChemist

06-09-2005, 9:49 AM

I won't go to Halfords ever again, after they insulted me at the till - how was I supposed to know you should press enter before entering your pin on their flat and highly visible pin pads which allows everyone to see your pin? No other retailer does that. I still haven't heard from HQ either :mad:

I'm going to try the local motor factor to see what he has to offer. He'll probably recommend the Valeo units...

Silent_Bob

06-09-2005, 11:18 AM

What car do you have?

I got my Tenzo R wipers from www.funkystyling.co.uk (http://www.funkystyling.co.uk/) , not cheap but by far the best wipers I've ever had.

Call 0845 257 1805
or email their sales department at sales@funkystyling.co.uk (sales@funkystyling.co.uk)

Chris (who owns it) is a very helpful chap.

skiddy2k

06-09-2005, 6:48 PM

your local motor factors will probobly have wipers made by 'Champion if they arent valeo.

they are also a good brand.
i think some of halfords wipers are made by champion aswell!

BobToo

06-09-2005, 9:01 PM

I've had Bosch wipers and they are great... for about twenty minutes. I think I have Unipart blades now, which work well.

CrazyChemist

06-09-2005, 11:43 PM

Did you complain to Bosch about the wipers? If so, what did they say/do?

BobToo

07-09-2005, 6:50 AM

I bought them in Halfords, it wasn't worth the grief. I was exaggerating with the 20 minutes but they didn't last long at all. I learned my lesson and avoid both Bosch and Halfords nowadays.

skiddy2k

07-09-2005, 11:55 AM

iv been using bosch wiper blades on my car for years now, havent ever had a problem with them.

fisheddie

07-09-2005, 12:00 PM

worth bearing in mind that wiper blades like HT leads are service items - they are not designed to last more than a year of good use.

CrazyChemist

07-09-2005, 8:47 PM

but my bosch didn't last longer than a couple of months of excellent use :mad:

I'll pop into Unipart tomorrow and see what they have to offer :D

judosteffer

21-02-2007, 6:42 PM

I use Valeo Wipers on my Toyota Avensis (bought off ebay - about £12 inc postage) and they are great- toyota fit them as standard anyway.

oldagetraveller

22-02-2007, 9:28 AM

It's not always the blade at fault so if your blades are juddering only in one wipe direction make sure the rubber is flipping over at the end of the arc. To correct this it's sometimes necessary to twist the arm slightly so the blade(s) will flip over, it's easy to determine which way by observation. Use a pair of pliers with something in the jaws to prevent marking the arm. Or if very,very brave, and not recommended, turn the blade to 90 degrees to the arm and use that to twist! Lift the arms away from the screen anyway for either method.

Kilty

27-02-2007, 10:16 PM

I won't go to Halfords ever again, after they insulted me at the till - how was I supposed to know you should press enter before entering your pin on their flat and highly visible pin pads which allows everyone to see your pin? No other retailer does that. I still haven't heard from HQ either :mad:

Sorry, off topic and I agree the staff should've told you but.....

Shouldn't you be checking the display to see what amount you are being charged anyway? Most PIN machines will tell you if you need to press anything before it prompts for your PIN...

xzibit

28-02-2007, 9:44 AM

The best wipers to get are the new Bosch Flat wipers, as fitted to most new vehicles, and been fitted to Volkwagens for years.
You can get them to fit any car now, and are much much better than any normal wiper blade.

crnflke

28-02-2007, 1:30 PM

Agree with xzibit - the new Bosch AeroTwin wipers are much better than the rubbish you get from halfords. you can get them from: http://www.wiperblades.co.uk/

Have also heard good things about PIAA blades - used on rally cars I believe, but these are quite expensive.

Poppycat

21-09-2007, 12:06 PM

I need some new blades for the Ford Focus 2000 looking at Valeo, Bosch and Tuepart, unsure what to get, dont really want to pay £30+ for 3 blades two at front and one at back

nullogik

21-09-2007, 12:47 PM

I've been using Bosch for many years too and have never had a problem with them.

goldspanners

21-09-2007, 12:51 PM

get the right blades for your car,the valeo blades are ok,but get ones with the spoilers on them or they wont work as well,the rubber blade refils are crap,you will spend ages fitting the properly and then need to do the same again in a month or so if you use them regularly.
bosch are usually the best,but there is another thread for wipers on here where someone is praising the cheap shots from aldi or lidl.

Crabman

21-09-2007, 2:42 PM

Try http://www.wiperblades.co.uk/ (http://www.wiperblades.co.uk/product_display.php) - for a Ford Focus 2000, driver side starts at £4.99 for a champion blade with spoiler, passenger side £3.19 (no spoiler). I used them and was pleased with the prices :D

Select Make, Model and Year on the front page and it'll take you to a customised page with only the blades applicable to your car. Just ignore the 'flat retro kit' things, well, unless you want the extra flat blades at premium cost.