Wipers...

[rcy]

not sure if this is considered a technical mod, but I've been looking for a better wiper..anyone have experience with these?

http://www.boschautoparts.co.uk/pcWipe5.asp?c=2&d=1

I like the fact that they have an integrated spoiler design because I've tried this type of wiper..

http://images.canadiantire.ca/media/...0_CC_3b443.jpg

and found that it lifted off the windshield at higher speeds as there is no integrated spoiler.

[r0nd3L]

I have Valeo Ultimate Wiper Blades that is basicaly same thing as the one you pointed out and so far I'm impressed with them. Driving high speed I never noticed them being lifted and they clean very nicely. Also look much nicer than those bulky types.

Click here to find more info.

[Pelican18TQA4]

I'd recommend either the Valeo blades mentioned above or the Bosch Icon wiperblades, which are essentially the same exact thing, just made by Bosch instead of Valeo. They're not exactly cheap, but well worth the money in my opinion!

[Porkchop]

Allow me to rant about Bosch for a moment:

I used to be the biggest fan of Bosch wiper blades. I would spend the extra money on the gold box blades. But now I have a scraped up windshield on the bug. The "bridge" that holds the plastic clippy thing is very narrow and just pressed from the same piece of metal as the whole blade frame. Apparently the side to side movement of blade during operation fatigues this thin piece of metal and it breaks eventually. I've had this happen twice, the 2nd time scraping the window up with the wiper arm.

So I switched to Trico Teflon which has a heavy duty thick rivet which has held up well for almost 2 years now. The Bosch blades would only last a few months.

So I still run Bosch on my aircooled VW - mostly because I think the short blades aren't affected by the metal fatigue issue. But I will never run them on the NB again.

So whichever blade you choose, look at this crucial part and be sure it looks heavy duty.

[FineExampl]

Me personally, i'd like to know if the drivers side wiper arm will work on the passenger side. If so, i'll take a second one so my arms match.

This also reminds me, how often do you change wiper blades?? I never did figure it out. I used to just change them when fell apart. Especially on my Eldorado.

Ya know, in rain i hardly use my wipers. I use rainX washer juice and with the aerodynamics of the windscreen the water just moves out of the way on it's own.

RCY...this is a good thread. Good job!

[oneighturbo]

i have the Valeo's on my NB and the Icons on my wifes CRV.

I'd go with the Icons!!!

[boriquais]

I use the Bosch icon blades. My first impressions where not good. The reason i say that is because i noticed that the outer portions of the blade didn’t exactly make contact on the windshield. I was skeptical. Then after a few days and really rainy ones i became a believer. I love the way they wipe and work at speed. I recommend them

[Dorado]

Hi folks! Is there really a problem with the passenger side Valeos or Bosch Icons? Here's what Tirerack says:

21" PIAA Curved Super SiliconeWiper Blade Product Details
Notes: 21" Driver side curved wiper. 21" Passenger side curved wiper. Price: $22.00 (each)
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21" Valeo Ultimate Wiper Blade(EA)
Product Details
Notes: 21" Driver side wiper. 21" Passenger side wiper. This application will work on either the driver or passenger side of vehicle. Wipers are sold individually. PLEASE NOTE: The passenger side OE wiper has a curved backbone to conform to the contour of the windshield. The Valeo wipers are not curved & may not make full contact on the far edge of the windshield

[Dorado]

I got the Bosch ICON and they are truly great. They fit right in and take two minutes to install.

Advance Auto has a special for the month of October, 2006, with all wipers at 25% off. So you can get the Bosch Icons for about $15 each. The computer lists both 20 and 21" sizes, but get the 21".

Thanks for the recommendations here!

[Pelican18TQA4]

21" is the factory wiper size, driver's and passenger's sides. I have a 22" blade on the driver's side and a 21" blade on the passenger's side. Gives slightly better coverage on the driver's side IMO.

[SilverSportNOLA]

I had the Bosch Aero blades on my car when I bought it and I refilled it once, last year at DFW New Beetle Roundup I noticed one of them had disassembled itself and left a nice mark on my windsheild. I replaced with the New VW Part blades, and changed those this weekend. I just installed the new Anco Aero blades, not the cheaper AeroAdvantage, the ones that are like $20 each. I like them, but I don't use them a lot, I am a firm RainX believer.