XC60 wipers OEM or aftermarket?

[scissors]

I've had several sets of the Bosch now and can recommend. I did try a set of Valeo and they were rubbish, replaced them after a couple of months. Can't remember which model they were though.

[AndyJudge]

Originally Posted by HDAV

Had chance to give car a quick jet wash today and took wipers off, even had them in kitchen sink to check for damage no damage clean of grit etc and still the same I need to speak to dealer re a couple of niggles so will add wipers to the list but for £20 might buy a set off eBay for now....

Have you tried cleaning them with neat screenwash ? I spend a heap of time on the motorways & frequently oil & all manner of other contaminants get onto the blades causeing smearing. Cleaning them & sometimes the screen with neat screenwash or meths solves the issue.

My Halfords/bosch blades lasted 12 months/20,000 miles before being consigned to the bin & switching back to Volvo ones.

[Clan]

Originally Posted by AndyJudge

Have you tried cleaning them with neat screenwash ? I spend a heap of time on the motorways & frequently oil & all manner of other contaminants get onto the blades causeing smearing. Cleaning them & sometimes the screen with neat screenwash or meths solves the issue.

My Halfords/bosch blades lasted 12 months/20,000 miles before being consigned to the bin & switching back to Volvo ones.

indeed , a pair i bought in Halfords in February are useless now . The blades you buy from Volvo parts dept are better than any you can buy elsewhere , volvo insist on a better quality for their cars that's why they cost money ... They generally last 3 years or more ... same goes for the wash fluid volvo use , it is SPIRIT based not salt based like the cheap stuff which blocks up jets especially heated ones !
You get what you pay for ..

[marsdalebear]

As I cannot think that Volvo make wiper blades it would be good to know where they get them from as £35 from Volvopartshop for Volvo branded seems to be very expensive against ebay £22.
I shudder to think what dealers charge.

[Clan]

Originally Posted by marsdalebear

As I cannot think that Volvo make wiper blades it would be good to know where they get them from as £35 from Volvopartshop for Volvo branded seems to be very expensive against ebay £22.
I shudder to think what dealers charge.

All that volvo make are the body shell , the engine and gearbox , everything else is made outside , however volvo do not buy off the shelf , their parts all have specification sheets which demand the exact quality they want . These external manufacturers which are often well known such as FAG . SKF , Bosch, Valeo DELCO ,Osram ATE, GKN etc make several different grades of components for their various customers . Volvo almost always choose the highest quality , whilst motor factors choose the cheapest hence lowest quality even when the parts are made in the same factory .. That goes for wheel bearings, water pumps , wiper blades , suspension parts , alternators etc etc ..

So as I always say You do get what you pay for ..and it is cheaper in the long run , the wiper blades for example last around 3 times longer ... Citroen wiper blades are considerably more expensive than volvo ones ,

[AndyJudge]

Originally Posted by marsdalebear

As I cannot think that Volvo make wiper blades it would be good to know where they get them from as £35 from Volvopartshop for Volvo branded seems to be very expensive against ebay £22.
I shudder to think what dealers charge.

I don't think dealers charge that much more, also £35 for 3 years v £22 for 1 works out cheaper anyway.

[marsdalebear]

Originally Posted by AndyJudge

I don't think dealers charge that much more, also £35 for 3 years v £22 for 1 works out cheaper anyway.

Where have the figures of 3 years vs 1 year come from? I had ebay Bosch wipers on for 3 years with no problems. Wiper usage plays a big part in their degradation. Not wishing to teach granny to suck eggs, less use = less wear =longer life.Regular cleaning also helps.
Each to his own though.

[marsdalebear]

Originally Posted by Clan

All that volvo make are the body shell , the engine and gearbox , everything else is made outside , however volvo do not buy off the shelf , their parts all have specification sheets which demand the exact quality they want . These external manufacturers which are often well known such as FAG . SKF , Bosch, Valeo DELCO ,Osram ATE, GKN etc make several different grades of components for their various customers . Volvo almost always choose the highest quality , whilst motor factors choose the cheapest hence lowest quality even when the parts are made in the same factory .. That goes for wheel bearings, water pumps , wiper blades , suspension parts , alternators etc etc ..

So as I always say You do get what you pay for ..and it is cheaper in the long run , the wiper blades for example last around 3 times longer ... Citroen wiper blades are considerably more expensive than volvo ones ,

I respect your knowledge Clan but I spent all my time when I was still a wage slave in the automotive OEM supply sector and I am comfortable in knowing that the high OEM prices are more for high margins to satisfy the dealer network. It would be detrimental for any supplier to offer inferior products under their branding.An SKF bearing from a factor will not be any different to one branded Volvo via a dealer.
Having said that I agree that there are dodgy components with obscure brand names around.

[Clan]

Originally Posted by marsdalebear

Where have the figures of 3 years vs 1 year come from? I had ebay Bosch wipers on for 3 years with no problems. Wiper usage plays a big part in their degradation. Not wishing to teach granny to suck eggs, less use = less wear =longer life.Regular cleaning also helps.
Each to his own though.

my 46 years working with these cars on a daily basis !

[marsdalebear]

Originally Posted by Clan

my 46 years working with these cars on a daily basis !

And this is regardless of usage?
Lets just agree to disagree on this issue?

ps. I really do respect your technical experience.