Hi all, thought I'd ask if anyone has plunked down the long dollar ($39/blade) for these wiper blades that I noticed in my new tirerack catalogue.PIAA @ $22-26/blade seemed high enough, and I really don't have a problem paying top dollar for something as critical as wiper blades IF THEY WORK!
Anyone? Jock

 

NO one?????

 

I have been wondering about these as well. I further wonder if there are blade refills - or do you just have to plunk down $40 each time you need to replace them? That would be a definite deal-breaker in my book.

 

....errrrr..... make that $80 plus S+H to get a pair.

 

I bought the PIAA's for two cars other than the MINI and to date they are proforming well. They are three times my cost for Bosch Blades, so I,m hoping they stand the test of time. The silicone does seem to make them a little less noisey. I'll know better six months from now if they are worth the money.

 

I've had the Valeo for a while now and I love it. Really cleans up the clutter at the cowl area. I posted it up once at the "Winter Project". Not sure if I removed the image due to space shortage.

 

I had PIAA blades for about three years on my miata.. Very quiet and nice until about a year, then started leaving streaking marks. I thought I somehow damaged the blade and replaced it with a new one, but it did it again. I'll be trying the valeo on my mcs when the factory one goes.

 

voiD,

A bit off the thread (and I apoligize in adavance) but it sounds like you need to polish your glass. Your windshield accumulates oils and debris that Windex just isn't going to get off.

There are several glass polishes out there that will do the trick... either by hand or with a DA polisher.

 

I have been using them for about a year now. I have found them superior to Piaa blades - quieter on the windshield.

They are also shipped with a free sample of aquapel, a adverse weather vision enhancer far superior to Piaa's graphite, or Rain X for that matter.

The spring steel wiper blade support is really innovative design. It causes the most even contact patch with your winsheild. Ever had a blade lift right @ the end of its stroke? Wont happen with these.

I have never driven them in winter, but it appears their design would be great for resisting ice and snow buildup, less edges to freeze to.

All in all a more advanced product, they would not be found OE on Europe finest vehcles.

Alex

 

Aquapel? My Valeo order from Tirerack last year didn't come with that

 

So, Alex, do you know if they offer refills - or is the design such that you need to replace each $40 blade with a new $40 blade? If an entire blade replacement is required, are there any life-expectancy claims or testimonials? Thanks!

 

Ok. in the time I have been cruising this site, I have found Alex at tirerack to be a real straight shooter, so I just ordered some of these gold plated wiper blades.I'll be sure to post impressions when I've had em on for a while. Peace Jock

 

I thought wiper blades are covered by the warranty, like with the brake pads, oil change and such?

 

found this site:

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

has a review and a discount promo code for $10 off per blade (plus $8 s&h per order)

ordered 2 for my MINI and 2 for my wife's VW Cabrio (21"s on back order, though) and saved $40.

Currently have Bosch Excel micro edges on, but they whistle in the wind
when they get vertical during operation, and don't make full contact along
the length of the blade

 

My dealership replaced my wiiper blades under warranty...

not with Valeo's, however!

 

Im glad someone found out about these. I have seen them on a couple of new cars, and really like them. Im getting a pair. I HATE the MINI Windscreen wipers!

 

I believe in having top notch wipers and not being thrilled with the factory MINI ones, read up on PIAA and Valeo wipers. The Valeo's sounded and looked so great (loved the low profile) that I ordered them - they just arrived yesterday. My hubby installed them for me - took him oh, a minute! It happened to be raining so was the perfect day for giving them a "test drive". Must say my first impression was DISAPPOINTED.
Conversely, they look great, really improve visibility with their sleek look and design, but the passenger side blade does not make full contact on the far side of the glass where it curves and meets the passenger's side/door area.
The driver's side blade also wasn't making complete contact, this one on the inner part so this morning pressed it down onto the glass and it appears to be fine now. Hoping it will stay that way.

These Valeos are touted as having superior contact but not the ones I got. It was the last thing I expected to see, having seen so many rave reviews on these fancy and expensive wiper blades. : (

Anyone else notice any lift/lack of complete contact on the 19" passenger's side Valeo blade? Wondering if a replacement blade will be ok, or if it will do the same thing??? Would love some feedback on this. Wondering if I put an 18" on the passenger's side I could get around this prob or is it just a Valeo thing???

Will plan to call them and see what they have to say but would love feedback from anyone who has these wipers on their MINI.
Mine's a 2005 Cooper.

Thanks!

 

Mine's the same way. But that area of the glass you don't look through so it never bothered me:smile:

 

Well, it irks me because it should be a non-issue for such an expensive wiper that is supposed to have the greatest contact and come to find out it doesn't! Also, I live in New England and need my wipers to cover all the glass to get rid of rain, snow, mud, you name it. It will be a blind spot when/if snow sticks to the spot the wiper isn't contacting.
These Valeos aren't cutting the mustard, which stinks because I love how they look. : ( Well, the passengers side one anyway. Think I should get an 18" for that side, too or is that just silly?

Anyone else have them and have feedback on contact? Good or bad?
Thanks!

 

aren't the stock ones 18"? I thought people got 19" on the driver side (and kept the 18" on passenger) to make the top of the wiper blades' path smoother (stock it has a little "rat tail" where the wipers cross paths).

 

My opinion is that the Valeo Ultimate is a great winter blade, but the PIAA silicone is a better summer blade.

The PIAA blades make better contact with the windshield than the Valeo for me.

And never try to use the stock blade in a winter storm.

 

But here in CA, I just don't use them that much at all. The biggest problem is that you notice they need replacement... Every rain storm! Mines a 2002 with 56k miles on it. Only second set of wipers!

Matt

ps, what is snow sticking to windshields?

 

Bye bye Valeos...

Gave them one week and they LOOK great but there are at least 4 spots they do not make contact with on the glass, when in use (most importantly) or idle so I'm returning them. : (

I have to say though, I was thoroughly impressed with the company I purchased them from, http://ultimatewiperblade.com/ as they refunded my money today, and I only this morning contacted them, telling them I wished to return my blades. I never heard of anyone refunding your money without having received the return item first. And they are, get this, mailing me a return label to send back free of charge, and are sending me a free sample of Aquapel, which is like Rainex but "lasts 6 times longer". They are so nice - I was thoroughly impressed.

Too bad the Valeos didn't cut the mustard,they really look so cool!!!!... but if a wiper doesn't wipe the rain off, what good is it? Nevertheless, what a nice company to do business with!

Think I'll order me a set of PIAA's. I see Moss sells them for $18.95 (each) on their site. Been hearing they work great! Will have to see for me-self!

Just thought I'd share this with you all.

Happy motoring my fellow MINI lovers. : )

 

i dont follow.......factory blades are valeo already, why bother replacing them with that crap again?

i run bosch and they havent failed me yet. i'm thinking of dropping some money on some PIAAs here, they look very nice...

 

I don't understand what the problem with the stock setup is exactly. Is it the wiper frame or the rubber blade? I've found the new set I have to be 'ok' in heavy ran, but in light rain I get a lot of chatter from the passenger side. I'm going to insert AMCO rubber and see how it does. I have used the cut-to-fit cheap-o $5 AMCO rubber fills for years on my cars and have yet to find a better match than the OEM frames and AMCO rubber. $10 every year or so, perfect OEM contact...perfect. I have never had an aftermarket frame fit a car as well as OEM. Either it was too heavy and shifted, too cluncky and streaked, lifted edges or entirely at speed, etc. Plus they are priced 50x what they are worth.