Bosch wipers=junk - MINI Cooper Forum

Blainifer · #1 (**permalink**) Mar 11th, 2007, 01:40 AM

Hello everyone, I've read in more than one thread that Bosch wipers are some of the worst you can get for your Cooper. Me, being the oblivious person that I am, hadn't checked my own blades after reading this, but maybe a week ago, I caught a glimpse of the name "BOSCH" on the blade. Now I know why they screech and vibrate all the time. Any suggestions for other, BETTER wiper blades? I've heard PIAA wipers are some of the best; any others??? Thanks for the help.

kezman50 · #2 (**permalink**) Mar 11th, 2007, 07:41 AM

Well not through experience, by all accounts though the PIAA wipers, like you say, are probably the best on the market. For me though, at the time of replacement I couldn't quite justify the extra cost that they are in the UK...particularly as I also use a Rain X type solution on the windscreen/shield. So it seemed like overkill. Also like yourself, had heard numerous accounts that Bosch blades are terrible, which is suprising, as, as a rule their standards are high with other products. So.........for me that left OEM blades and I'm glad to say they perform fine. No screeches/streaks/vibration etc at all !

bennyx_o · #3 (**permalink**) Mar 11th, 2007, 09:14 AM

Have the same problem with the Bosch blades on my car. Screech and vibrate all the time.

Prowse · #4 (**permalink**) Mar 11th, 2007, 09:27 AM

I've replaced my original blade rubbers with ones from the dealers every year. Not had any problems and as you're only replacing the rubber blade, they only cost a few quid.

burns863 · #5 (**permalink**) Mar 11th, 2007, 09:37 AM

I have those really expensive Bosch wiper blades on my 02 MC. What a load of tosh.

They hardly wipe.

The so called "spolier" doesnt help them stay on the windscreen at high speeds as stated on the box.

They screech

On the hwolw they are awful but I am unsure on what type i should replace them with... Valeo maybe?

Anyone know why they are so bloody awful? For their price you and Bosch's ratings you would expect good quality blades! But no, this is not the case

Root Ginger · #6 (**permalink**) Mar 11th, 2007, 12:09 PM

Well my Bosch blades are excellent and miles better than the OEM blades I've been buying for years too.

Much much quieter.

s_and_m · #7 (**permalink**) Mar 11th, 2007, 12:13 PM

PIAA blades - only thing to be aware of is that they lift easier at speed (think autobahn speed - 80-90mph) as I couldn't see a way of putting the aero-wing from the stock unit onto the PIAA arm.

Apart from that, they are much better than the stock blades.

S

Blainifer · #8 (**permalink**) Mar 11th, 2007, 01:17 PM

That's no problem for me, seeing that I'm in the States, and I wouldn't be going 90 mph in the DRY. Thanks for the insight though.

Rich_IX · #9 (**permalink**) Mar 11th, 2007, 02:44 PM

I did the same thing thinking the Bosch would be better than the dealers but they made a right noise screeching etc so went to the dealers to get a new set and havent had no problems since...

S33BBY · #10 (**permalink**) Mar 11th, 2007, 04:41 PM

I tried the Bosch on my old MINI One. At first they were pretty good, but after a few miles of use, the started to shudder and were useless. Now I've got a new Cooper, so haven't needed to change the blades yet, but when I do, I'll just go with OEM.

Damo · #11 (**permalink**) Mar 11th, 2007, 05:07 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by s_and_m (original)

PIAA blades - only thing to be aware of is that they lift easier at speed (think autobahn speed - 80-90mph) as I couldn't see a way of putting the aero-wing from the stock unit onto the PIAA arm.

Apart from that, they are much better than the stock blades.

S

I have the PIAA blades, but my Driver side one came with a spoiler

Oh yeah the PIAA are great

S33BBY · #12 (**permalink**) Mar 11th, 2007, 05:19 PM

I've heard good things about the PIAAs; maybe I'll try them next.

s_and_m · #13 (**permalink**) Mar 11th, 2007, 05:27 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Damo (original)

I have the PIAA blades, but my Driver side one came with a spoiler

Oh yeah the PIAA are great

I got mine from speed.co.uk or something like that. maybe I'll have to have another look around as it is quite annoying to have 'laddering' on the screen. Where did you get yours?

I should mention that I have an M7 Extreme Bonnet Scoop extension which has been reported to cause more turbulence at speed than the smaller stock unit, so my experiences with wiper lift may not be typical (at motorway speeds they are fine, just autobahns that cause me the problems)

cheers

S

S33BBY · #14 (**permalink**) Mar 11th, 2007, 05:27 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by s_and_m (original)

I got mine from speed.co.uk or something like that.

Probably speeding.co.uk. Great site.

Damo · #15 (**permalink**) Mar 11th, 2007, 05:37 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by s_and_m (original)

I got mine from speed.co.uk or something like that. maybe I'll have to have another look around as it is quite annoying to have 'laddering' on the screen. Where did you get yours?

I should mention that I have an M7 Extreme Bonnet Scoop extension which has been reported to cause more turbulence at speed than the smaller stock unit, so my experiences with wiper lift may not be typical (at motorway speeds they are fine, just autobahns that cause me the problems)

cheers

S

I have a BBR scoop and used to get turbulence, but its completly fine now since changing to the PIAA wipers.