Wiper blades

[Piff]

So 2013 E class Cab went in for a service & MOT at main dealer today. Service is part of a 3 year service plan.
SWMBO collected the car and was advised that although the car had passed the MOT the wiper blades were smearing the windscreen and should be replaced ASAP.
In days gone by, MB main dealers replaced wiper blades as part of the service regime. This main dealer has been servicing this car from new.

So, googling replacement wiper blades there seems to be a huge variance in prices.

Any recommendations would be appreciated......................

 

[markjay]

I bought in the past both original MB wipers (made by SWF, part of the French Valeo group), and Bosch Aerotwin.

Both performed equally well. The white MB logo on the original MB wipers is a nice touch though.

 

[Will]

Wipers smearing can be as simple as the screen and wipers needing a very good clean. Had you noticed any real issue with them yourself?

The dealers love stuff like this as there’s a good opportunity for making quick and easy money if people ask for them to be done without question

If they were split or damaged fair enough but otherwise I’d clean them first and see how you go.

 

[Abb]

Wipers smearing can be as simple as the screen and wipers needing a very good clean. Had you noticed any real issue with them yourself?

The dealers love stuff like this as there’s a good opportunity for making quick and easy money if people ask for them to be done without question

If they were split or damaged fair enough but otherwise I’d clean them first and see how you go.

Exactly this! I have been told this is common practice throughout a lot of service depts in dealerships, especially at this time of year due to scaremongering the customer regarding the urgency/safety side of things that they need doing. When in actual fact, like Will states, a simple clean would be sufficient!

 

[Deleted member 126251]

So 2013 E class Cab went in for a service & MOT at main dealer today. Service is part of a 3 year service plan.
SWMBO collected the car and was advised that although the car had passed the MOT the wiper blades were smearing the windscreen and should be replaced ASAP.
In days gone by, MB main dealers replaced wiper blades as part of the service regime. This main dealer has been servicing this car from new.

So, googling replacement wiper blades there seems to be a huge variance in prices.

Any recommendations would be appreciated......................

I've never owned a car where wiper blades were included in the service plan (have owned several MBs). I too am struggling with what to get for my wife's car - I usually get Bosch.

 

[James Copeland]

I usually change my MB blades when the ultra violet ? dot changes colour.
Normally every 2 years.

 

[markjay]

I usually change my MB blades when the ultra violet ? dot changes colour.
Normally every 2 years.

I change the wipers every two years or so as a matter of course, they're quite inexpensive. They are still serviceable after two years, so it seems that my maintenance regime isn't very eco-friendly....

My experience with MB wiper blades however is that the blades remain perfectly serviceable long after the dot changes colour (which I understand is a result of UV exposure?).

The key to keeping the blades healthy is to not let them run over a dry windscreen.

 

[OneForTheRoad]

Bosch around 25 to 30 quid.

 

[AndyRC]

I bought in the past both original MB wipers (made by SWF, part of the French Valeo group), and Bosch Aerotwin.

Both performed equally well. The white MB logo on the original MB wipers is a nice touch though.

I put the Bosch Aerotwin on the C63 and I’m very happy with them, not much over £20 if I remember correctly

 

[exvolvoman]

I've been using Bosch Aerotwin on both the Merc & Volvo without any issues, but as Will said, probably a really good clean will work wonders.
I use a clay mitt on the glass and meths to clean the wipers. Don't use any shampoo & wax types on the glass it will lead to smearing and have good quality screenwash.

 

[190]

I found Bosch Aerotwin A939s for £21 on Amazon. They seemed to be much the same as the original MB ones and have lasted well. I suspect the car has only had two sets in 10 years but mileage is well below average.

 

[Teego]

Did you get an advisory on your MOT for the blades? If not I suspect the service dept is bullshitting you.
IMHO any good brand wiper will do. Remember you don't need the whole wiper arm assembly, just the blade.

 

[ToeKnee]

I change the wipers every two years or so as a matter of course, they're quite inexpensive.

Not on the R231 SL! Almost £100 a pair for wiper blades, never been able to find any third party ones.

 

[Petrol Pete]

I use Bosh..from Halfords or where ever else sells them for less than MB charge. As Markjay says 'don't run them on a dry screen', and he is right.

Why then do some car manufactures (in my case 2006 Mercedes Benz) start the blades moving the split second you push the button/pull lever to wash the screen ? in the small amount of time it takes the washer fluid to reach the screen the blades have started to move Put a time delay in their you Muppet's, I have driven cars that have a delay between fluid being pumped and wipers starting up thereby wetting the screen nicely...but my MB is not one of them. I know you can get a hell of a delay if the one way check valve in the hose is faulty but that is not the case with my car, I have had it apart and checked. Pump and wiper motor start at the same time. Daft really.

 

[190]

Did you get an advisory on your MOT for the blades?

I remember in the late 70's the garages doing a roaring trade selling new blades when they were first made part of the MOT inspection. I doubt that's so much the case now as they are no longer universal items that vary only in length. The Bosch aero twin one piece blade being an example. I discovered there were two diffrent part numbers for the W204 alone and as far as I can see the rubbers are not replaceable.

 

[Rory]

I've never owned a car where wiper blades were included in the service plan (have owned several MBs). I too am struggling with what to get for my wife's car - I usually get Bosch.

It was part of the service schedule many years ago, along with things like taking the wheels off to inspect and clean the brakes.

I (and quite a few other forum members) used to have the now defunct ServicePlus scheme, and that covered everything.

I use Bosch wipers on all our cars - quite annoying that they're a fair bit more expensive for the Mercedes fit version than they are for the VW fit.

 

[C43AMG]

Only MB Blades

 

[markjay]

Our Toyota previa had an ingenious system where the washer nozzle was incorporated into back of the blades. The washer fluid was discreetly dispersed on the windscreen as the blades moved.

The hose was incorporated into the arm and the back of the blade. The obvious downside was that only the actual rubber strip could be replased, like we used to do in the olden days, which meant a rather fiddly operation.

 

[Atavus]

The ‘magic vision’ on mine does that, but comes at a ridiculous cost when you have to renew the whole lot to get new blades.

 

[Piff]

So, now I have seen the paperwork.
MOT makes no mention of the wiper blades.
Service sheet states "front wipers clear poor"
I'm tempted by the cleaning solution suggested above but don't have a clay bar. Recommendations appreciated.