[obehave]

Has anyone used the Valeo Ultimate Wiper Blade ??

They make some pretty good products, radiators for our MINIs for example. I used to work for them years ago and their QA (what I did at the time) was pretty good especially in the auto industry.

Any experiences would be helpful. My driver side blade is going out for the 3rd time in less than 3 years and I'm tired of the OEM crap.

TIA

My next option is the PIAA silicone blades. Any thoughts on them would be nice as well.

[118]

The Valeo's look . Didn't realise you could get them for the MINI - might have to get some of these myself

[cristo]

found a site with a review and a promo code for $10 off per blade


http://www.v70xc.com/features/ultima...-rain_test.php

just ordered a pair for Bliksem and a pair for Konyn (wife's VW Cabrio)

[118]

Quote: Originally Posted by cristo

found a site with a review and a promo code for $10 off per blade


http://www.v70xc.com/features/ultima...-rain_test.php

just ordered a pair for Bliksem and a pair for Konyn (wife's VW Cabrio)

Could you let us know how you get on with them & if they were as easy as they say to fit (some pics would be good as well)?

Does anyone know af anywhere in the UK that sells them

Cheers

[obehave]

Quote: Originally Posted by cristo

found a site with a review and a promo code for $10 off per blade


http://www.v70xc.com/features/ultima...-rain_test.php

just ordered a pair for Bliksem and a pair for Konyn (wife's VW Cabrio)

Yep, I just used that code last night to order a pair.

I'll post a review and some pics or add to your thread if yours come in first.
It's spring in Virginia so I'm just about guaranteed rain for the next month.

[cristo]

the 21" one for my wife's car is on back order, so the whole order is being held until all
can be shipped. Obehave will probably be able to report back first.

[118]

I just wondered if either of you had received the blades yet? Also, what size's did you order, as the website states 18" for both sides, but I am sure the MINI has an 18" on the driver's side & a 19" on the passenger side

Thanks

[cristo]

nope, still on back order because of the 21" for my wife's car.
funny about the sizes..... the text description said 18" for passenger side,
but the product number underneath the description was for the 19" blade
--- 900-19-1B.
Actually, the MINI OEM blades seem to measure 18" on the driver side, and
18 ½ " on the passenger side!

[obehave]

Quote: Originally Posted by cristo

nope, still on back order because of the 21" for my wife's car.
funny about the sizes..... the text description said 18" for passenger side,
but the product number underneath the description was for the 19" blade
--- 900-19-1B.
Actually, the MINI OEM blades seem to measure 18" on the driver side, and
18 ½ " on the passenger side!

I can't get ahold of those weasels. How are you getting a status??

I'm getting a bit suspicious.

[snid]

I've been using them this winter. For winter blades, they're pretty good - better than the normal boot covered winter blades. For summer blades, you'll want something else.

[obehave]

Quote: Originally Posted by snid

I've been using them this winter. For winter blades, they're pretty good - better than the normal boot covered winter blades. For summer blades, you'll want something else.

Could you explain why? Thanks

[snid]

Quote: Originally Posted by obehave

Could you explain why? Thanks

To make a wiper blade that works well in the winter, it needs to be stiff so it doesn't lose contact with the window when there's snow / slush / ice on it (the window and / or the blade). But, on the MINI, a stiff blade doesn't make contact with the whole windshield. The Valeo ultimates are better than normal winter blades in that regard. A normal winter blade misses a bunch of the passenger's side of the windshield. The Valeos miss less, but they still don't clear the entire windshield like a normal summer blade will. They also leave a "drip" in the center of the windshield. This is only really noticable with the wipers on intermittent and a driving speed below 30mph, but it is still worse than a normal summer blade.

So, if you're looking for a good winter blade, get 'em. If you're looking for something else, don't. They're worse than the stock MINI wiper blades in rain (but much better in snow).

[russ.mackay]

Quote: Originally Posted by obehave

My next option is the PIAA silicone blades. Any thoughts on them would be nice as well.

I've got the PIAA ones, they are pretty good. Loads better than the stock ones and the crappy bosch replacements I had.

[118]

Quote: Originally Posted by cristo

funny about the sizes..... the text description said 18" for passenger side,
but the product number underneath the description was for the 19" blade
--- 900-19-1B.

Yeah, I noticed that as well

Quote: Originally Posted by snid

I've been using them this winter. For winter blades, they're pretty good - better than the normal boot covered winter blades. For summer blades, you'll want something else.

Snid - I don't suppose you have any pictures of them on your car do you? I am curious about what they look like on a MINI, as the wipers aren't hidden like most cars

[snid]

Quote: Originally Posted by e180881

Yeah, I noticed that as well



Snid - I don't suppose you have any pictures of them on your car do you? I am curious about what they look like on a MINI, as the wipers aren't hidden like most cars

As a matter of fact, I do.

[obehave]

Well, they came in tonight. Got them on just at sunset as it started to sprinkle. Haven't had a chance to test them yet.

Here's a link to one of my photo albums and here's a couple pics from the album




I have a couple interior shots as well.
Lots of rain due tomorrow so I'll get a chance to try them out. Fit well and an easy install.

[118]

Thanks for the pictures - they look pretty cool. Were they both 18"s or an 18" & a 19"?

[obehave]

Quote: Originally Posted by e180881

Thanks for the pictures - they look pretty cool. Were they both 18"s or an 18" & a 19"?

Yea they look nice.
They are an 18 and a 19".
The 19" only uses about 80% of the blade. Works nice for where it works but the blade doesn't follow the curvature of the window worth beans. The 18" uses maybe 90%.
You have ends on both blades that aren't wiping. Pretty much sucks.

On the plus side they wipe well are very quiet and where they work, they work well. Reduced road noise and worked good at 70mph in a pretty heavy rain.

[L8Apex]

If those blades are only partially touching the glass, you might want to use some Rain-X . I use Rain-X with my original blades and you only need to have them swiping half as much.

[obehave]

Quote: Originally Posted by L8Apex

If those blades are only partially touching the glass, you might want to use some Rain-X . I use Rain-X with my original blades and you only need to have them swiping half as much.

They wipe fine for my field of vision. I don't feel I lost any critical area wiping. Just in the periphery where the glass curves a bit more sharply.

Used to use rain-x but I have found that keeping them clean using Invisible Glass works just as well. Many people ask me if I use or assume I use rain-x.