The style of Valeos I bought was this: http://ultimatewiperblade.com/spec.php - completely different style than factory, they are curved... they just happen to be the same brand. Go figure, the factory Valeos work better than these fancy, extremely expensive/overpriced "ultimate" ones. Ultimately dissapointing is more like it. Oh well, live and learn... you don't know if you don't try, right?!
At least the company I bought them from was very friendly and super accommodating - they have already refunded my money and I haven't even returned them yet!
Next try.. PIAAs http://www.autobarn.net/pisupsilwipb1.html Doesn't sound like, from what I've read, that THESE will disappoint! Will keep you posted.

Have a great day, everyone! Happy Summer! :smile:

 

Just got my PIAA Super Silicones yesterday (to replace the crap curved Valeos I got/returned) and they are indeed SUPER!

Followed the instructions verbatim - washed, completely dried the windshield, applied the window prep that came-with, waited 10 mins., wiped it off and snapped on my new, snazzy PIAAs (using the C1 adapter that also came-with). These LOOK GREAT but the best part is they WORK FANTASTICALLY!
It just so happened to be raining this morning so got to use them right off. Visibility is FAB and what a sleek look they give, inside and out. I highly recommend them. I am so glad I bought them! Bought 'em from Moss and the bonus is you can get blade refills cheap... only $6.95 (unlike the Valeos, where you have to buy the whole bloody assembly!).
Buy yours here & see for yourself how great of a product they are!
http://www.mossmini.com/Shop/ViewPro...83&SortOrder=1

Motor on my MINI friends! :smile:

 

Do they wipe better than the factory ones? I just had mine replaced under warranty(how about that! ) last month.

 

I attatched a picture of my solution to the stock wiper blades. I decided to do a little experiment a few months ago when i bought the MINI wipers. I thought that the problem with the stock wipers was that they didnt have enough weight to them. They would shake and move around when i was at speed. So, i took the little spoiler thing off of the old drivers side wiper and put in on the new passenger side wiper. It fit, so i kept it on. Now they do not move around, and seem like they are not as flimsy.

 

Yes! Factory ones are also Valeo, which in my experience translates to crap.
Can't say enough about the PIAAs though... they look as great as they work!

 

Funny you should mention that. I think the replacements are worse the the ones that were replaced(again, how about that).

When it's out of warranty(or they stop replacing the blades, which ever comes first) I'll look into these. Thanks for the tip.

 

Does anyshops send it to overseas?
I want to purchase it but this item seems not available in Japan.
Boshe does't want to sell this item in Japan.
looks very simple and nice.

 

I wondered if there was a coating on my windshield, Like when rainex wears out that was causing my wipers to screech and chatter on the passenger side. I replaced them with regular Bosch blades and these didn't chatter as much and I used 18" instead of 19". When I add lots of windshield washer fluid they wipe fine but still chatter a little. I found that the park sequence for the blades folds the wiping blade surface up so that if it sits for a long while it will not wipe back and forth. Doesn't seem to be a problem with the drivers side just the passenger. I just have a problem spending $40 on wiper blades. We own a NAPA A/P store so I'll keep trying other solutions till I find one I can live with. It seems rainex or castrol wiper treatment only makes it worse. I cannot believe BMW has such a basic problem w/o a solution.

 

FYI, when i did my guage install, i noticed a sticker that said Made in France on the wiper bits......

 

Ultimately, I got the PIAA Silicones to replace my Valeo Ultimates.
Didn't like it that the ends of the Valeos weren't touching the glass
on the passenger side, much as Lola5 said earlier.
The PIAA's are much better than the Valeo Ultimates, (and the stock
wipers and the Bosch Micro Excels as well)l

 

I would look in to Silblades. They have a 5 year guarantee. I have been using them on my rover four 3 years now and they are still as good as the day I bought them.

Roggen....out!

 

good thread on the advantages and disadvantages of the Valeos ... was looking into them recently.

been running PIAA for 2 years with no problems ... great blades ... but they just started streaking.

but from the looks of this thread, looks like I am sticking with PIAA refills