wiper blades - Valeo vs Bosch

[RudyH]

Bosch $29.14
https://www.amazon.com/Bosch-3397007.../dp/B0039234WM

Valeo $20.57 / $15.85
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00411RDN6
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00411RCXC

Am I reading this correctly? The original Bosch's are cheaper then the Valeo's? Quality which is the better of the two? I did a search, and for the past 3 years I always went with the Valeo's but this time around Amazon suggested the Bosch's cause they were cheaper. Most threads of course point to the Valeo's because bang for the buck you couldn't go wrong....but now that the Bosch's are cheaper, which is the better of the two?

[JustPlaneChris]

Don't do the Bosch! They chatter like a crazed squirrel on crack. I replaced mine with Valeo, and enjoy the blissful silence.

[AudiAdi]

I've tried both and I couldn't tell the difference in performance... they both worked well for about 6 months. I live in the Seattle area, so I use the wipers quite a bit

[Audi Control]

I purchased Bosch about 2 weeks ago and they are horrible.
Luckily, it barely rains here, but I am switching to Valeo currently.

[RyanJon]

I used:

Valeo silencio extreme on both my B6 and my B8.5, found them to be decent for 6 months or so but they don't like cold weather.

Gave up on bosch years ago on my b6, tried 2 sets and took them both back because of chattering.

Put some piaa silicone blades on my B8.5 a couple months ago and they are the best I've ever had on any car, 100% silent no matter what the temperature and completely streak free

[robertstitt]

I've used Michelin Stealth on other cars and been happy. Don't know what I've got on the S4 but will probably replace with the Michelins.

[jlaudio]

I just bought that Bosch set yesterday, to be delivered tomorrow. I've runt he Valeo's for the past 3x sets, and I like to replace every 6-8 months. I find that the Valeo's chattered in sub 30 degree weather, which is why i am trying the Bosch.

Based on the responses here I am anticipating that they all suck and experience is based on climate.

[Dirt]

I used:

Valeo silencio extreme on both my B6 and my B8.5, found them to be decent for 6 months or so but they don't like cold weather.

Gave up on bosch years ago on my b6, tried 2 sets and took them both back because of chattering.

Put some piaa silicone blades on my B8.5 a couple months ago and they are the best I've ever had on any car, 100% silent no matter what the temperature and completely streak free

Link to the PIAA's?

.

[RyanJon]

Link to the PIAA's?

.

I bought them off a website here in the uk, I'll try and find out the name of it

[risc427]

Amazon only seems to have the 24" (driver side) blade. Checking elsewhere....

https://www.amazon.com/97060-Si-Tech...ype=automotive

Update...

Summit has both blades, decent price compared to others.

Driver's side:
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/pia-97060

Passenger side:
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/pia-97050

[doughboy17]

You may not want to hear this but, "stick with the OEM wipers." They are better than either the Bosch or Valeo. You may be able to find the OEM for a reasonable price off Ebay.

[j1n]

i have bosh on mine and i have no issues. i keep my windshield clean though. ill clay it and use rain X on it.

[AudiDTMA4]

Valeo's work great on my Wife's A4 and my S4.

[waxxonMTL]

I have OEM, going strong even after 1 yr of use in canadian weather. But I have Aquapel which does help. Next pair ( I would say within the next year I suppose) will be PIAA. I had them on my summer toy and it worked perfectly for 4 summer.

[jsh139]

I bought those exact Bosch wipers on 7/15/2015 and they have worked perfectly since then. Maybe I just got lucky

[AudiAdi]

Amazon only seems to have the 24" (driver side) blade. Checking elsewhere....

https://www.amazon.com/97060-Si-Tech...ype=automotive

Update...

Summit has both blades, decent price compared to others.

Driver's side:
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/pia-97060

Passenger side:
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/pia-97050

Have you tried rockauto? They'll probably beat those prices too.

[jygesq]

try this https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[JustPlaneChris]

try this https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Those are exactly what I bought, and exactly what chattered to the point of being unusable. And that was even after using $50 worth of restoration products on my windshield, per another thread here about chattering wipers. YMMV, of course, but I say they respirate inwardly. Hard.

[robertstitt]

Amazon only seems to have the 24" (driver side) blade. Checking elsewhere....

https://www.amazon.com/97060-Si-Tech...ype=automotive

Update...

Summit has both blades, decent price compared to others.

Driver's side:
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/pia-97060

Passenger side:
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/pia-97050

Wow! Over $50 for a set of wiper blades!!!! Can't remember the cost of the Michelin Stealths but they have them at Wally World and I know they aren't that pricey.

[Lamprey]

Anyone tried the PIAA Aero Vogues? I've been using Valeo's and the first ones I got were absolutely perfect. Since then the last couple of sets haven't been very good. It's possible that there is something on my windshield that is causing an issue. At any rate, looking to try the PIAAs, but wasn't sure if I should get the Aero Vogue or the Si-Tech.

[grovlet]

For Bosch - I've tried them all - and the ONLY worth while blade is the Icon - the OEs are crap.....

For the S4 - I think I'll go Valeo - as that's the most recommended option here - but for my other cars = Bosch Icons....

Ohh - No matter what - you need to treat wiper blades as maintenance item = yearly replacement regardless of how they look or operate.... (they all typically fail somehow shortly after a year - and usually when it's bad weather...)

[MrFunk]

As part of Audicare they will replace blades if worn (aka upon request). I have them replace them each service. I barely use them so they seem to last me a long while.

[Dorny1]

I use Trico Onyx blades. Ran them on the B5, B8 and the wife's Jetta. ran the ones on the B5 for two years no issue. However, a stronger blade helps with snow and we get that up here occasionally.

[shadycrew31]

I've been running Bosch 3397007297 aero twin for the past 3 years replacing them every year and never had an issue, no chatter or anything. Plus $30 for the pair is a good deal.

https://www.amazon.com/Bosch-3397007...h+wiper+blades

[jygesq]

As part of Audicare they will replace blades if worn (aka upon request). I have them replace them each service. I barely use them so they seem to last me a long while.

my dealer will NOT replace under audi care, labor yes, parts no

[Nughuffer]

I've been running Bosch 3397007297 aero twin for the past 3 years replacing them every year and never had an issue, no chatter or anything. Plus $30 for the pair is a good deal.

https://www.amazon.com/Bosch-3397007...h+wiper+blades

I've had no issues with these.

[SwankP3RF3ct10n]

I can attest to the fact that the Bosch blades suck and chatter like nobody's business. They're bad, don't get them.

[RudyH]

I ended up going with the Valeo's which I had for the past x years with the car. See when they come.

Reason only cause Canada sucks, and what turned from cheaper wiper blades made them after shipping $20 more then the Valeo's. With what some were saying about the OE's I decided to stick with the Valeo's which were cheaper.

[sworksone]

See when they come. Reason only cause Canada sucks, and what turned from cheaper wiper blades made them after shipping $20 more then the Valeo's. With what some were saying ..

So you say....

[shadycrew31]

I've been through 3 sets now of the Aero twins which ones did you get?

[bmoss]

I used:

Valeo silencio extreme on both my B6 and my B8.5, found them to be decent for 6 months or so but they don't like cold weather.

Gave up on bosch years ago on my b6, tried 2 sets and took them both back because of chattering.

Put some piaa silicone blades on my B8.5 a couple months ago and they are the best I've ever had on any car, 100% silent no matter what the temperature and completely streak free

Thanks for the Piaa tip, just ordered a set for my S6.

[bhvrdr]

Is it just me or do these Valeo Silencio Extremes seem to be the supplier to the PIAA Silencio Extreme...

https://www.amazon.com/Valeo-574462-...dp/B00D14AMAU/

[dResign]

I have OEM, going strong even after 1 yr of use in canadian weather. But I have Aquapel which does help. Next pair ( I would say within the next year I suppose) will be PIAA. I had them on my summer toy and it worked perfectly for 4 summer.

Bosch is the OEM supplier :)
Same wipers without the logo's

[bhvrdr]

Bosch is the OEM supplier :)
Same wipers without the logo's

Not necessarily. Bosch has a ton of different quality wipers they manufacture. The ones they provide to the manufacturers direct are not necessarily the ones you can buy off the streets.

[Saleen S7 TT]

I've used Michelin Stealth on other cars and been happy. Don't know what I've got on the S4 but will probably replace with the Michelins.

Anyone else use these? Seem to be about half the price of the PIAA's.

[Brandon K.]

This was my amazon review of the Piaa Si-Tech wipers for my B8:

"These are the best wipers I have found over the last 20+ years. They last at least twice as long as the Bosch OEM wipers. I have found that after 1 year to 1 & 1/2 years I need to start thinking about replacing them. I recently had a loaner Audi with 1500 miles on it and my 18 month old Piaa wipers worked better. I do have one MAJOR ISSUE...you can no longer get these for the late model Audi A4. What is up with that????"

My statement about no longer being able to get them for the late model Audis was wrong. Piaa no longer makes an Audi specific blade package. Now you need to buy them separately and you are forced to use their adapt rather than the exact fit they had. I live near Portland OR, so you know that that my wipers are used extensively. I have tried just about every top model of blade from most major manufacturers. My top pick is Piaa then Valeo then Bosch. This is based on how well they function for a good length of time. If you were only looking at how well the work for two weeks, the order would be reversed. The Bosch work really well for a few weeks then turn to crap. The Valeo work well for a few months then go down hill. The Piaa don't work as well as the others when they are new, but continue to do a good job for many times longer than the others. Hope that helps.


Sent from my iPhone using Audizine

[tahoedrew]

Just a week ago I put a PIAA Si-tech on my driver and a Bosch ICON on the passenger side to be able to compare directly. I live and drive in Reno/Tahoe which is experiencing a ton of rain, snow, and modulating temps from 0-to-40 degrees with a lot of freeze/thaw cycles.

I washed and cleaned the windshield thoroughly (twice actually) before installing and used the silicon wipe from the PIAA's on the entire windshield.

Initially, the PIAA's were a little more "streaky" (due to not being fully in contact) but they've settled in lately. I'll report back on how they both do in what appears to be a more harsher winter this year in the area.

[WJN S4]

Just confirming that the Bosch's were no good for me also. Chattered like crazy, could not get to be smooth or quiet.

Have had overall good results with the Valeo's, get them on their annual combo sale on Amazon. Only downside is in snow or cold weather, they don't perform as well.. and they only perform well for less than a year

[Brandon K.]

FYI: do not combine silicone wipers with P21S washer fluid booster. The P21S will try to strip the silicone off the windshield and do a poor job of it. You will end up with one hell of a mess with each swipe. The best description I can give is it is like trying to look through the windshield that someone has put splotches of vaseline on.


Sent from my iPhone using Audizine

[creativecody]

I'm also ditching the Bosch's. The chattering is INSANE. Valeo's coming this week. I live in southern CA so we use wipers very infrequently but it's been raining a lot and I couldn't take the Bosch's anymore.