Front windscreen wipers - New vs refills & Volvo vs BOSCH

Yelper85 · Jan 5th, 2024, 11:10

Hi all,

My XC60 needs new front windscreen wipers. Official Volvo ones (the whole wiper) cost £94.20 inc. VAT (for both) whereas the official Volvo refill inserts only cost £35.76 inc. VAT (for both). Do any of you have experience with the fitting of the refills and if they work just as well as whole new units?

Secondly, I've been told the official Volvo wipers are just rebranded BOSCH wipers which you can get off Amazon at a fraction of the price. Is this correct? If so, is BOSCH and the BOSCH part number stamped on the official Volvo wipers anywhere as I can't see anything on the outside so I'm wondering if the part numbers (Volvo and/or BOSCH) are revealed when you take the wiper off the arm?

Any info would be more than welcome as I'm loathed to pay nearly £100 for a set of wipers!

TobyAnscombe · Jan 5th, 2024, 11:26

I bought cheap and then suffered from much squealing.. I then bought the proper Volvo refill and it's been great. Use

Genuine Volvo Wiper refills XC60 2018- 31693406

as your eBay search and it should bring up the right version for about £35

Greenback78 · Jan 5th, 2024, 12:12

I’ve gone back to the official Volvo inserts vs Bosch. The Bosch were very slightly smaller on the XC90 anyway but they squealed more than the Valeo made ones.

Yelper85 · Jan 5th, 2024, 12:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by TobyAnscombe

I bought cheap and then suffered from much squealing.. I then bought the proper Volvo refill and it's been great. Use

Genuine Volvo Wiper refills XC60 2018- 31693406

as your eBay search and it should bring up the right version for about £35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greenback78

I’ve gone back to the official Volvo inserts vs Bosch. The Bosch were very slightly smaller on the XC90 anyway but they squealed more than the Valeo made ones.

So both of you have fitted the genuine Volvo refills rather than replace the entire wiper. That's good to know!

Does the end of the wiper just unclip/pull off? Can it be done either end or is it specific?

Hogster · Jan 5th, 2024, 12:28

I've used the refills 3 times now, and they've been easy each time. The end just unclips and you pull out the old blade, then insert the new one. Takes about 2 mins. Mine only unclip one end - the end pointing upwards when they're in the servicing position.

Out of interest, on this topic, does anyone know where you can source replacement refills for the rear wiper? I have the aquablades, so am again looking at the refills.

Yelper85 · Jan 5th, 2024, 14:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hogster

I've used the refills 3 times now, and they've been easy each time. The end just unclips and you pull out the old blade, then insert the new one. Takes about 2 mins. Mine only unclip one end - the end pointing upwards when they're in the servicing position.

Out of interest, on this topic, does anyone know where you can source replacement refills for the rear wiper? I have the aquablades, so am again looking at the refills.

Perfect, cheers @Hogster 👍🏻

TobyAnscombe · Jan 7th, 2024, 10:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yelper85

So both of you have fitted the genuine Volvo refills rather than replace the entire wiper. That's good to know!

Does the end of the wiper just unclip/pull off? Can it be done either end or is it specific?

It’s specific as one end has a plug/bung that keeps the blade secure. There’s a little clip on the inside that allows the insert to slide out - it’s a 2 min job

dcjs01 · Jan 7th, 2024, 13:22

I went for the official Volvo refills last year. Found them easy to fit and performance wise have been fine.
Certainly didn’t want to pay the price for complete new units.

OldEngineer · Jan 7th, 2024, 13:35

I'm on Bosch (complete blades) because I find the Volvo units deteriorate and 'slap' as they reverse direction at the A pillar.

Yelper85 · Jan 7th, 2024, 20:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by TobyAnscombe

It’s specific as one end has a plug/bung that keeps the blade secure. There’s a little clip on the inside that allows the insert to slide out - it’s a 2 min job

Quote:

Originally Posted by dcjs01

I went for the official Volvo refills last year. Found them easy to fit and performance wise have been fine.
Certainly didn’t want to pay the price for complete new units.

Perfect, cheers chaps 👍🏻

Jan 5th, 2024, 11:10	#1
Yelper85 Senior Member Last Online: Apr 26th, 2024 13:51 Join Date: Feb 2020 Location: Matlock	Front windscreen wipers - New vs refills & Volvo vs BOSCH Hi all, My XC60 needs new front windscreen wipers. Official Volvo ones (the whole wiper) cost £94.20 inc. VAT (for both) whereas the official Volvo refill inserts only cost £35.76 inc. VAT (for both). Do any of you have experience with the fitting of the refills and if they work just as well as whole new units? Secondly, I've been told the official Volvo wipers are just rebranded BOSCH wipers which you can get off Amazon at a fraction of the price. Is this correct? If so, is BOSCH and the BOSCH part number stamped on the official Volvo wipers anywhere as I can't see anything on the outside so I'm wondering if the part numbers (Volvo and/or BOSCH) are revealed when you take the wiper off the arm? Any info would be more than welcome as I'm loathed to pay nearly £100 for a set of wipers! __________________ 65 plate V60 R-Design Lux Nav D4 Auto 20 plate XC60 Inscription Pro T8 PHEV + Polestar Last edited by Yelper85; Jan 5th, 2024 at 12:22.

Jan 5th, 2024, 12:28	#5
Hogster Member Last Online: Apr 26th, 2024 13:48 Join Date: Jul 2019 Location: Somerset	I've used the refills 3 times now, and they've been easy each time. The end just unclips and you pull out the old blade, then insert the new one. Takes about 2 mins. Mine only unclip one end - the end pointing upwards when they're in the servicing position. Out of interest, on this topic, does anyone know where you can source replacement refills for the rear wiper? I have the aquablades, so am again looking at the refills. __________________ 2019 V60 D4 Momentum Pro Auto

Jan 7th, 2024, 13:35	#9
OldEngineer Senior Member Last Online: Apr 25th, 2024 13:19 Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Esher	I'm on Bosch (complete blades) because I find the Volvo units deteriorate and 'slap' as they reverse direction at the A pillar. __________________ V90 in Savile Grey with Blond Leather

Jan 5th, 2024, 11:26	#2
TobyAnscombe Junior Member Last Online: Apr 3rd, 2024 08:56 Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: North Weald	I bought cheap and then suffered from much squealing.. I then bought the proper Volvo refill and it's been great. Use Genuine Volvo Wiper refills XC60 2018- 31693406 as your eBay search and it should bring up the right version for about £35

Jan 5th, 2024, 12:12	#3
Greenback78 Junior Member Last Online: Apr 8th, 2024 11:41 Join Date: Sep 2019 Location: West Midlands	I’ve gone back to the official Volvo inserts vs Bosch. The Bosch were very slightly smaller on the XC90 anyway but they squealed more than the Valeo made ones.

Jan 7th, 2024, 13:22	#8
dcjs01 New Member Last Online: Jan 7th, 2024 15:20 Join Date: Sep 2022 Location: Alton	I went for the official Volvo refills last year. Found them easy to fit and performance wise have been fine. Certainly didn’t want to pay the price for complete new units.

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