"Modern" Wiper Blades

Anything about BXs
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m_2975
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"Modern" Wiper Blades

Post by m_2975 »

Anyone tried these on their BX?

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll ... :IT&ih=015

I wanted to know if they fit well and if they look good. No point in buying if they are crap.

They look good to me and i'm keen on them.


Michael
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'89 BX 19TRI Estate 5M
'89 AX GT(With EFI) 2door 5M
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'74 SM IE (Fully Restored) 5M
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Post by jeremy »

I think I can buy 3 conventional ones for that price.

Why not try it and report back and tell us what we are missing!
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DavidRutherford
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Post by DavidRutherford »

eBay seller of fancy-schmancy wiperblades wrote:Kit contents: Passenger side: 20in Aero VU. Driver side: 20in Aero VU.
Which doesn't exactly make you over confident, now does it? Given that a BX requires 1 X 22" blade......
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m_2975
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Post by m_2975 »

My BX has one 20" blade.

I asked the seller and it means that it's one blade and it doesn't matter if you specify a right OR a left; they're all the same.


I think i'll give it a go and report back.


Michael
My Cars:
'93 BX 19GTi Sedan 5M
'89 BX 19TRI Estate 5M
'89 AX GT(With EFI) 2door 5M
In the Family:
'74 SM IE (Fully Restored) 5M
'90 BX 19TRI122 Sedan 4A
'02 Xantia Exclusive Sedan 4AA
'06 C5 2.2HDi Estate 6A
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DavidRutherford
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Post by DavidRutherford »

m_2975 wrote:My BX has one 20" blade.
In which case you need to fit the correct length of blade to your car.
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tim leech

Post by tim leech »

I always thought they were 20" blabes myself!
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stuart_hedges
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Post by stuart_hedges »

I haven't tried those ones, but I am fussy about wipers. I don't mind spending the extra on Bosch ones.

And 22" is correct, although 20" will do.
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Post by jeremy »

Tried Bosch when I first got the BX - found that Halfords replacement rubbers and just about anything else lasted and worked better.

I now use generic ones from my friendly accessory shop - and they seem OK.
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m_2975
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Post by m_2975 »

Questioned the seller once again and he posted me up a link to buy a single 21" wiper.

Have bought it and will get in a few days.
Will report on the findings.


Michael
My Cars:
'93 BX 19GTi Sedan 5M
'89 BX 19TRI Estate 5M
'89 AX GT(With EFI) 2door 5M
In the Family:
'74 SM IE (Fully Restored) 5M
'90 BX 19TRI122 Sedan 4A
'02 Xantia Exclusive Sedan 4AA
'06 C5 2.2HDi Estate 6A
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DavidRutherford
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Post by DavidRutherford »

Bosch wiper blades are rubbish. Really really rubbish. I've tried them on a number of different cars and they just smear like a swine.

The best ones I've used so far have either been Motoquip, or bizzarely enough, tesco value ones.

As for the correct length of wiper on a BX... well they definitely came with a 22" from factory. You can't fit a longer one, as it then rubs on the side trim of the screen. You can fit a shorter one if you want, but only if you're short. As I'm fairly tall, I need all the swept area of screen I can get.

There are restrictions relating to construction and use regarding minimum swept areas of windscreen for wiper systems, and theoretically if you fit a short wiper, you won't comply with the regs, but I dare you to find any copper, MOT centre, or indeed ANYONE who even knows what these regs are, never mind how to apply them.
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Post by mnde »

I agree about Bosch; I now avoid them like the plague. Personally I have found Valeo to be the best bet, although I'm always on the lookout for something better. Like Stu I am very fussy about wipers. I'm currently using a Valeo 22" curved blade that's meant for one of the Alfa models, which is pretty good, but it is screechy and sluggish when the screen is nearly dry - annoying in slight drizzle, and also because the spraybar only sprays the whole screen effectively at 30 mph plus...

I had a look at these modern style VU wipers too while browsing ebay. What interested me was their claim that the blade will bend to conform to the curve of the screen - which is not much of an issue with the BX, but it is with the GSA. I always found the Bosch ones were too rigid. Valeo/Champion blades bend more, but still the tip of the driver's side wiper doesn't touch the screen when parked. I'd be interested to know if the VU blade comes with a range of adaptors to suit different wiper arm fitments.

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Post by citroen7 »

just to throw in 10pence worth i have just bought a bosch 22" and one good book behind the counter recommended 20" the other said there were 2 :? anyway new one on and washer bar cleaned out i can see again :D
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Post by stuart_hedges »

BTW the Halfords books are wrong - they do specify 20s.
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m_2975
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Post by m_2975 »

I've ALWAYS used the Valeo ones. I swear by them. The rest are crap.

I always buy Valeo V51's (51CM) which is approximately 21" and they are the perfect size.

I thought though that I would go for a different look.



Speaking of recommendations from reatilers, Valeo recomment the V53 on an AX whereas the V51 for the BX!!!

Where's the logic in that? It really is too big but that's what was on the box!
Next time it's getting a slightly smaller V50.
My Cars:
'93 BX 19GTi Sedan 5M
'89 BX 19TRI Estate 5M
'89 AX GT(With EFI) 2door 5M
In the Family:
'74 SM IE (Fully Restored) 5M
'90 BX 19TRI122 Sedan 4A
'02 Xantia Exclusive Sedan 4AA
'06 C5 2.2HDi Estate 6A
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Post by nstarmore »

Just to give my experience on this ebay new style wipers, I run them on my Xantia as I like the look but after 2 sets (I thought the first were just a dodgy batch) realised they are absolutely pants.

The first set kept leaving a smear line right it my sight line of the screen on the drivers side and lifted completely off the screen at anything above 75 (contrary to the claims that they are less prone to lift than conventional wipers) and the second set still leave the smear on the drivers side and on the passanger side they don't even wipe a 2inch thick section!!! oh yeh and in the drizzle situation they stick to the screen and the wiper actually moves about on its arm. Obviously there's only once wiper to worry about on the BX but still...

I think valeo and bosch do their own versions of them, which are probably ok but I wouldn't go for the unheard of brands of ebay ever again, complete waste of money.

In fact thats just reminded me to go to halfords and pick up some new ones later (again), I'll probably just get some conventional ones again.
Nic

- 1995 Xantia SX TD (daily hack)
- 1987 BX 16V (project)
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