Progress with the wipers.

[hama]

So, I've trawled the posts and come to the conclusion that still, nobody is happy with their wipers. Has anyone recently made any progress with their dealer or VW about them? I am sick to the back teeth with the car, it is the bain of my life, everytime I get a chance to get out in it, the rain makes an appearance and the windscreen becomes an opaque horror and I have to pull over, murder when I'm driving long distance.

On mine, they've been replaced three times, but that's all, just been swapped over with other wipers from stock cars at the dealers. It's going in for a service soon but I'm looking through my contract to better understand what I can do to make them solve this problem. Basically, they are bad quality, they don't function as they are supposed to do and I expect my dealer to be less than keen to do anything about it. They've got one narrow road leading into their base and I'm considering abandoning the crappy thing right there and going in a big girly huff about it.

[iAmbu]

I know you shouldn't have to do this or try it, but have you tried buying some new blades from Halfords, or online, to try non-VW blades?

[hama]

Iambu, you're right, I needn't have to do that but I'm not averse to forking out for it. Previous attempts at trying to get proper service from BT / Virgin Trains / Take Your Pick has made me a lot less willing to to get stressed by pursuing issues.

The issue with buying my own alternatives is knowing much about them. I've been to halfords and they're as clueless as I am about the quality of their wipers, they seemed to believe that the highest priced ones "must" be better. I plan to visit a local independent mechanics this week to get some advice about installing new ones. Still, before I go completely mad and perform previously mentioned girly huff at the VW Dealers, I'll be trying to get at least somewhere with "customer services" at VW themselves.

Is there anyone out there at all happy with their wipers? Has anyone made any progress finding the fault and having it fixed?

[iAmbu]

I would suggest just buying different blades (just the rubber part), I would be very surprised if you required replacement motor / linkage systems. If you do, then that is clearly VW's responsibility.

I have used the site www.wiperblades.co.uk which I was happy with.

Have also bought Bosch blades from Halfords in the past, and again they lasted well and I don't think you can go wrong with Bosch quality.

I don't own a Scirocco though.

[skippy]

I can't say I have had any issues with my wipers, they did squeak a bit at one point, but any wiper would do that if there is insufficient water on the screen.

I recently replaced the wipers on my wifes 57 reg Fiesta (as they were smearing) with Bosch ones (as suggested by Iambu) and they are heaps better than those supplied with the car.

Seems such a shame that you are fed up with the car seemingly from this one issue. I would go to Halfords and get the Bosch ones, it is the old cliché here in that you get what you pay for, so steer clear of Halfords own brand.

[BlackRoc]

hama, both arms and blades were replaced on mine at the start of the week, (first new set of arms, third set of blades tried by the dealer) and although I have not driven in any rain, using the car washers shows that the sweep across both sides is BETTER than it was. However, the drivers one now 'drags' across the screen and you get a nasty juddering effect on the screen Ill just have to wait and see if its any better..

[gossa]

I had the smear and my car is an 08 plate registered August 08 and now has 10.5K miles on it, so an early car.

New drivers side blade did fix it totally.

[MarcusCole]

just had my wiper blades replaced under warrenty- problem appears solved and dealership were aware of issue, now am totally happy with car

[ZephyR]

Not got my Roc yet but .... could this be related to post production bodywork protection products getting on to the screen.
Just waxing your roof can play havoc with your wipers if your not careful.

[MarcusCole]

with mine it seemed the original wiper did not mould to the screen correctly on the downstroke resulting in skimming over the water and smearing, when i was cleaining it it seemed pretty flimsey and insubstantial. The dealer did not even try to quibble about it and suggested they were happy to investigate further if necessary so it would appear enough complaints have got back to VW to make them at least pretend to take this seriously..I mean it might just be a cheap piece of rubber but if you can't see where your 20 grand car is going it could become very serious very quickly

[Jimmyb]

The (new, since '04) standard VW wiper blades sucks, no matter what type of VW you are driving...

[MarcusCole]

after a short time wipers are as bad as before - according to dealer there have been enough complaints for vw to source a new suplier for wipers and i have to check back in June to see if a new part number is available...the saga continues

[BlackRoc]

Ive popped along to Halfrauds today as my '57 plate Jetta needs new wiper blades, and would you believe they are 'Order Only' with the same fitting as a..you guessed it Scirocco. Sames replacement part model. That is Interesting!

[bianco]

If all else fail, then give the windshield a Nano/Glass-sealer/"Hardening"/Glass-shield treatment.
I had the dealer nano treat the car incl. glass before delivery, and I never had a smear. Going on 4.000 km.

My experience with nano treatment on the windshield from my other car, is:
First three month: Like magic - no need to start the wipers, ever
Next six to nine months: Nice - there is definitely an effect
After a year: Gone - maybe there is still an effect, but You miss the first three months

[joolz27]

I just replaced my blades with Champion Maximum Performance ones. The blades which came with the car didn't clear the drivers side and both had the most annoying loud rubber dragging noise - one thing i hate are noisy wipers! Just tried the skooshies with the new wipers and they are totally silent and actually clear the window. I phoned my dealer yesterday to ask about replacing them but said they would only replace under warranty if the car was less than 6 mth old which it ain't but i just bought it from them a mth ago. They said they just use the same blades anyway which i don't see the point of as they are suspect to begin with, and it'd cost me more to drive to the garage so i just decided to replace them with Champions. They cost me £29.07 but that is with a bit of discount. Part numbers if anyone is interested are: Drivers side - DXR60B, passengers side DXR48C

[AL1874]

I must be extremely fortunate but my wipers have always been fine.

The only problem I’ve had with visibility was when I was stuck in a thunder storm and had to pull off the autobahn for ten minutes because I could not see the white lines (crap German non-reflective road markings) and that would have been the same whatever car I had been driving.

I’ve just assumed they corrected the wiper fault before I collected mine but obviously not.

[jc74]

I just replaced my blades with Champion Maximum Performance ones. The blades which came with the car didn't clear the drivers side and both had the most annoying loud rubber dragging noise - one thing i hate are noisy wipers! Just tried the skooshies with the new wipers and they are totally silent and actually clear the window. I phoned my dealer yesterday to ask about replacing them but said they would only replace under warranty if the car was less than 6 mth old which it ain't but i just bought it from them a mth ago. They said they just use the same blades anyway which i don't see the point of as they are suspect to begin with, and it'd cost me more to drive to the garage so i just decided to replace them with Champions. They cost me £29.07 but that is with a bit of discount. Part numbers if anyone is interested are: Drivers side - DXR60B, passengers side DXR48C

That sounds very promising, is there any chance you can report back after a couple of months (and preferably lots of rain etc)? - If all is well, I'd be very tempted to follow your lead and get a set too!

I assume you simply unclipped the old ones and then clipped the new ones in - no adjustment necessary?
Also, where did you get them from?

Thanks!

[etotheip]

Just had mine done with service and at the moment, no problems with driver's side

[AgaZaKa]

Someone recommended on another forum Valeo VM 330 wipers. However I don't see them on UK market for sale.

I'm awaiting for some comment about Champions in a few weeks. I definitely must replace my wipers because they drive me crazy.

[joolz27]

Bad bloody news i'm afraid. Had the car out tonight and thought i'd try the skooshies again as it hadn't been raining and although they are nice and quiet they smear on the downswipe. I am not happy. Think some bending of the wiper arm might be in order. I'll investigate it soon. Anyone else done this? p.s. i bought the blades in the local independent car parts shop but since the wipers dont fix the smearing i dont think anyone will be buying them!