Wiper blade replacement

[k_rider]

So, I took my car in for its 30k service and get the obligatory "we're halfway through the job and recommend you..." phone call from the dealer. Amongst a couple of other things (pollen filter replacement and wheel alignment) he recommended having the wiper blades, front and rear, replaced at the princely sum $176!

After picking myself up off the floor and asking him to repeat the cost once more, as I was sure I'd misheard him, I politely declined his kind offer. I thought that $76 would be expensive, let alone adding another hundred. I mean, seriously!?!?!

A quick call to a Skoda parts shop and I was quoted about $100 for the three blades. I checked out the Bosch Online shop in the banner ad above and they're not much cheaper (front set is cheaper than the genuine, but the rear is a bit more expensive). Still pricey, but better than $176!

Anyone have any experience with the Bosch Aerotwin wipers or have any other recommendations?

It seems that the days of buying a pair of Trico refills for about $10 are long gone...

[zei20t]

i think the factory ones ARE bosch aerotwins

anyway, I use them on the fiat and replace them every 1.5-2 years. the car is rarely garaged.

went through some cheaper ones, but needed a few sets a year. not worth it IMO

[dArK5HaD0w]

Checkout supercheapauto, they stock a huge variety of Bosch aero wipers.

[Martin]

Avoid Repco and SCA - both crap

Go here: Fast and Affordable Way of Buying Quaility Wiper Blades | Wipertech
Get the TrueFit Aeroflex - they are awesome
About $70 for a set (but it's frames as well as the rubber)

[futureskodaowner]

Hi. About 6 mths ago I was advised of a similar price by a dealer and nearly fell off my chair. Politely declining, I found Bosch replacement blades on wiperblades.co.uk. Granted, the exchange rate is not as favourable, but maybe worthwhile looking at. The ease of which these blades (I have a wagon) can be replaced is amazing.

[Antiplastix]

Mine have been on for 3 1/2 years now and still work like new. Why bother changing them if they re still working OK ?

[dArK5HaD0w]

Mine have been on for 3 1/2 years now and still work like new. Why bother changing them if they re still working OK ?

that's a good point - why is the dealer trying to change the wipers after only 30k?!?!?!?
oh wait....

[pologti18t]

VW sell an insert kit (just the floppy rubber blades) for <$30. You just need to dismantle the current wiper blade and replace the insert

Have a look at

DIY aero wiper blade change (rubber only)

[Lindsay]

I tried to dismantle mine and they broke, at which point I drove to Supercheap and bought their poverty flexblades as a temporary solution. That was about 12 months ago, and they are still on there and still working just fine

[DunlopRS]

My front OEMs were shot after 12 months (and car is undercover day and night). Replaced with repco hydrobaldes. 5 minute job and IMHO better than the OEMs