Is there any difference between the OEM and Bosch Aero Wiper Blades from ECS?

[DELUX]

I ordered the Bosch Aero Wiper replacement for my OEM Aero Wipers on my A4 and I noticed that there was also an OEM replacement. I kinda assumed that the OEM version was Bosch as well, but they're cheaper it appears, so what I'm thinking is that the Bosch Aero Blades are perhaps more heavy duty or thicker than the OEM version.

Anybody know?

This is what I ordered:

Bosch Aero Wiper Blade Set ES#4997 - $49.95

[heateris]

my bubby got them from ECS. they seem nice.

[47Ronin]

u need the aero arms for those wipers and they make no big diff

[DELUX]

I already have the Aero arms, I have a USP, they came with the Aero wipers.

And yea... they make a HUGE difference actually. The curvature is more natural, they're more aerodynamic and don't get lifted off your windshield under high speeds, and they last pretty damn long. I'm changing mine for the first time @ 44k miles.

On our X5, I changed the traditional Bosch Wipers to some Valeo Aero wipers and the difference is huge, especially on the back window where traditional wiper blades always had a tough time staying down because the window is do damn curved.

[DELUX]

my bubby got them from ECS. they seem nice.

Did he get the Bosch or the OEM?

[47Ronin]

heh - i just screwed my arms on extra tight and they hug my window nice

although one of my wiper arms is jacked cuz the wiper is like ripped so it squeeks like a mother

[A4TUNE]

I def need some new wiper blades.. Was just going to search for info on them and saw this thread. To my understanding you can only use Bosch Aero Wipers if you have USP (Aero) wiper arms and they won't work with a sport model A4? What are the best options for a sport A4?

[Audized]

to my understanding, aero wiper's a standard feature for MY2004 and on. I've been looking for aero wiper blades that fit our older model's conventional wiper arms. I don't know if there is any out there, though.

the best option would be to get aero arms from ECS.

[A4TUNE]

How do I know if I have the correct wiper arms for the aero blades? They come stock on 2004+ you say?

BTW whats "MY"2004

[Audized]

sorry about the confusion. MY stands for model year. i could be wrong about when audi started putting aero wipers on A4's. either 2004 or 05.

here's a pic of aero wiper arms.
http://www.ecstuning.com/stage/image.../5823_x600.jpg

[JonnyQ]

If you have the aero arms you will have the aero blades. Are your blades 1 long strip of metal with rubber attached (aero), or do they have multiple hinged segments (old style)?
check out ECS link for pics of aero blades. if you don't have them , you have the old style arms, and the old style arms only fit OEM blades or some have used Anco rubber inserts in the old style OEM blade.

The arms (old vs aero) actually look very much the same, its just the way the blade attaches to them thats different.

[47Ronin]

OMFG I Just found out one of the metal pins from the wipers was scraping on my windshield and thats what the squeeking is from - and i was like well it's getting better day by day which is because the scratching was making a groove in my windshield hahah so now i have a frigging scratch at the base of my windshied about 1/20 inch deep

GRREEEATT

i just cut the pin off and now its perfect

/rant

[47Ronin]

Bosch won't work with regular Audi arms - actually its just MY2003 - 2003 had all kinds of random bullshit

the 2003 arms are kept on by a clip that NO ONE MAKES but audi and are like $40 a pair

so your best bet is to just get new wiper arms and put the shits on

although adjusting the arm positions are really a bitch

[DELUX]

But the Bosch Aero blades will work with my OEM Aero arms right?

EDIT: They should, the description says that they require OEM Aero wiper arms.

[JonnyQ]

I remember reading somewhere that Valeo developed the wiper technology and sells it as 'ultimate wiper'

but licensed it to Bosch , which sells it as 'Icon'.

I think they are pretty much the same unless someone else knows more..?

[DELUX]

The Valeo seems just as good. I found an aero-style replacement wiper that fit our X5 from Valeo and they work very nicely

[toaster]

are there any aftermarket blades that are similar to the "aero style," that will not require me to change my 2002 oem arms?

[DELUX]

Yea Valeo makes some wiper blades that are frame-less and utilize a standard wiper arm. I mentioned earlier that I picked up a set for our X5 and they work great :)


Also... there IS a difference between the Bosch and the OEM. When I took the OEM blades off I compared them to the Bosch replacements that I ordered from ECS and the Bosch blades are a bit beefier with more rubber on them. They seem like a better blade.

[StEvO]

Rain-X also makes them now they're called the "latitude" blades and they fit the "old" style wiper arms...
http://www.rainx.com

[A4TUNE]

Where can I pick up some Valeo blades? Walmart?

[toaster]

freakin' awesome...my wipers are pure streaky garbage right now.

what lengths are our wiper blades? driver and passenger are different, right?

https://www.buyrainx.com/index.cfm?C...TOKEN=56430837

[orttauq]

Michelin makes an aero blade replacement for many makes and models now, so no need to change over to aero wiper arms for those not equipped....

Valeo is the OEM manufacturer for the aero blades currently. That changes what seems like weekly these days though...

[Shak]

I've been thinking of getting new blades / inserts for a while now too. How can you tell if you have the AERO arms v. the regular arms? Did it come with the car after a certain model year?

[toaster]

can someone post the lengths of the wipers that we need?



thanks.

[ECS Tuning-Audi]

Ok, since there seems to be a few questions, I will try to help everyone out.

Cars up to Vin # 4 135000 (split in 2004 model year) have standard wiper assemblies that can be replaced by the Bosch Icons wiper blades. Bosch Icons are made to resembled the OEM Aero blades without having to change the arms. The actual size that you need is 21.6", but Bosch Icons are only 21" or 22", we will be testing correcting sizing on the Bosch Icons this week & posted them on the site. I am going to assume it will be the 22" versions

For customers that want to convert to from the standard style to the OEM aero set-up they will have to buy are complete kit. (arms & blades) The OEM aero's are here:




Replacement blades for the OEM aero's are here:

[A4TUNE]

I've been thinking of getting new blades / inserts for a while now too. How can you tell if you have the AERO arms v. the regular arms? Did it come with the car after a certain model year?

Dude read the thread before you post, the questions you asked have been answered already.

[toaster]

awesome.

post a link to the blades i need for my non-aero arms and i'll be all over it..

[kpatz]

Has anyone tried the Rain-X Latitude blades? My stock blades are driving me nuts, I replaced the inserts last fall and now they're streaking like crazy again. Such a nice car, but crappy wipers. I'll try cleaning them at lunch and pick up a set of Latitudes at Pep Boys and see how they do.

EDIT: Cleaned the blades, they work great now. Also cleaned the windows.