Windscreen wipers - are the expensive brands worth it?

locky123

The aero flat wipers on our Focus Mk2 need replacing, tried cleaning them but no difference, still not clearing the screen properly. Looking around you cant get branded makes for between £20-30 or no-named makes for up to £10. Is it really worth spending the extra? If the construction appears the same then only the material can be different, so are relatively very expensive bits of 'rubber'. Will the more expensive ones last much longer? Now I dont go replacing them every year, only when its obvious they need changing and because it doesnt seemed to have stopped raining since Xmas, I've finally given in.

cleggie

Hi Locky,
i cant help you, but i will be keeping an eye on this thread as i was about to ask the same question!

Piggles1982

I only ever buy the aero wipers now, normally bosch. They bend towards the window screen to give you a better contact on your windscreen.

I find they do generally last longer as well, well the bosch ones anyway

grizzly1911

I replaced my original equipment Toyota wipers 2 years ago with the flat aero wipers. Paid £8/9 off ebay. Still going strong and no lift even on fast/windy motorways. I was sceptical.

Originals/Bosch equiv. would have been around £30 as they are big blades. If they last half as long I am happy, easy enough to swap, and I have a clear screen not a making do with an 80% wipe on a tired "brand".

flashg67

Another vote for the 'budget' brands - were still going strong on my Punto after 2 years before I sold it

inkie

We got our last lot for our little Micra from poundland. No problem at all!

waynedance

I to have used cheap flat blades and champion. I removed the champion after a few months as not happy with noise and finally got some Bosch which I should have done in the first place.

Well worth the extra money.

Wig

They could be about equal value, so environmentally you would go for the brand name because otherwise you are wasting a lot of cheapo blades.

Basically you can buy cheap blades from the likes of wilkinsons for £2 per pair, these last me about 2 years (previous cars)
The Bosch Blades on my current car have been on there for 4 years since I bought it probably originally fitted when new 3 years earlier 7 years still going strong no sign of wear at all.

I think ultimately the cheapo blades are going to be better value.

What I don't agree with is people who buy Bosch and replace them every 2 years regardless, that's just idiotic.

shown73

Blades from Lidl or Aldi are fine, no problem at all. Used to buy Bosch, but they always started to groan and squeek, dreadful. No problems since.

avantra

The Aero design really revolutionised this sector, they do wipe better and if you buy the like of Valeo and Bosch they last longer as well.

I recently renewed all the wipers on our two cars as we both can get annoyed with smearing wipers (regardless of cleaning).

I had a look at the budget one sold on Ebay and there are few designs that use very cheap and thin plastic, wiping is ok not brilliant.

These were around £10 plus shipping, Bosch Aero twin were £14.99 on Ebay as well so not such a big difference. If you get the same Aero Twin from Quickfit or Halfords expect to pay around £35.

After two weeks with the cheap ones I decided they were nothing like the branded name, ordered a pair of Aeros from wiperblades.co.uk for £15 (their own brand) and they are the dog's testis, had them before and they last around 3 years. I didn't find Bocsh Aeros in my fitting and this is why I got the own brand.

colino

Don't buy the cheapo aero blades from ebay! Quality is so hit and miss its just not worth the minor saving.