Washing machines

For £280 you probably won't get anything to last more than 5 years anyway,these days.When we replaced our 22 year old Bendix 6 years ago we had a repair/replace policy which we had to use after 5 years. they gave us a credit for £300 ish and we put that toward a Miele with a 10 year warranty. A sort of layaway plan.
So choices:-
1)Spend your £280 and pay for replacement/repair cover and hopefully when you have to replace you will effectively get a free replacement.
2)Put the the cash as a down payment on a Miele or similar with a 10 year free cover. Remember these machines are regarded as the NAIM of washing machines so repair should not be a problem.

Howard

I just bought a Bosch with 2 year warranty - although a new model and £330 I'm sure you'd pick up a good new "old" model for less. Very good machine with 7KG load capacity, A or A+ rated on wash, spin and energy......

Hi Kevin

We've just bought a John Lewis washing machine - JLWM1407 - (and their separate dryer) having used an AEG washer dryer for 6 years. The Aeg cost about £600 and was built like a tank, but it had a couple of things go wrong with it while we had it. In fairness it was used very frequently (we're a family of four) so we probably got the most out of it we could! The new JL machine cost £359 and has 3 years parts and labour warranty, is A+ engery rated, and so far it seems much better than the AEG.

It takes 7kg, has a half load option which automatically adjusts according to the amount in it, and also is very economical with water useage - which is obviously is important if you (like us) are metered.

Regards
Geoff

I used to have an AEG washer which was built like a tank too. We now have a big standy up Fridge and a sep Freezer from AEG (Electrolux) and whilst they are fine, don't appear of the same build quality of yesteryear. Mind it's still beats using a larder. Sorry Kevin, this is prob absolutely no use to you

I shall add my voice to the Miele camp. It's hard but think of the decision in the same way you would (hopefully) think of hi-fi. You could spend £280 and find you buy something that lasts a long time (if you're lucky) but is no better than any other machine you ever had... or, you could spend a lot more; get a 10 year guarantee that you'll almost certainly never need and have a silly look on your face when you discover that not only is it reliable and quiet it also washes better than you thought possible and thus helps all your fave t-shirts live longer.

No-brainer. Aside from my discovery of Naim some years ago my discovery of Miele is up there with the better of my decisions in life.

There was a good site by an ex engineer for one of the bog standard companies. Haven't browsed for it for ages but basically he retired and decided to take apart a Miele to find where the reputation came from. He explains it bit by bit. The brief summary is that your £280 is daylight robbery if spent anywhere else.

This probably (!) sounds OTT but they really are that good. If you have young children (I have one and a teenager) then their value multiplies even further IMHO.

Mike

I'm with Mike on this one. We have recently installed a Miele washer/dryer owing to lack of space in our flat, and a slimline Miele dishwasher. They are both super quiet and do their respective tasks brilliantly. We were going to get a Miele fridge/freezer but found out that they are made for Miele by Liebheer, so in the end got a Liebherr.

Kevin, if there is some way you can afford a Miele, then you will almost certainly never regret the decision. I suspect that my new Mieles will still be going strong when I am eventually carried feet-first from the flat for the last time!

quote:

when I am eventually carried feet-first from the flat for the last time!

There was a first time?

you might check out http://www.fisherandpaykel.co.uk/ I'm biased - think they're pretty good.

Thanks for the help everyone.

Would love a Miele, but just cannot afford one at the mo' (it's a long story). I'm going to plump for a John Lewis machine (which is basically a readged Zanussi, but with a 3 year guarantee, which should cover me fine, as I'm not likely be be where I am for more than 2 or 3 years).

I know all about the Miele/Naim comparisons. I own a Miele vacuum cleaner and it is well worth the premium price; my mum and stepdad only ever buy Miele appliances, be they cookers fridges, dishwashers etc.

K

quote:

quote: From Chris
when I am eventually carried feet-first from the flat for the last time!



There was a first time?

Isn't feet first INTO the flat usually?

Ah that old over the threshold thing! Actually Howard we did that earlier this month when our status changed from tenant to owner. In fairness, I did the carrying!

I was think more like a return after a Friday night out with the lads. Perhaps a little while back now eh!
If you don't partake of the alcohol please don't take offence.

Kevin

I have a Miele dishwasher and it is about 7 or 8 years old. It is solid, runs very quiet and has never once gone wrong.

Miele is the equivalent of Naim and that should be enough to convince you that it is your best bet.

Regards

Mick

quote:

Originally posted by Mick Parry:

Miele is the equivalent of Naim and that should be enough to convince you that it is your best bet.

Mick has spoken, Miele it is then.

Mick, I'm having difficulty in achieving the same inky blackness with my coloured washes in my new house. Also, every time I use my hifi, I get an audible hum from my Miele washing machine, and notice that your dishwasher runs very quietly.

Do you think it's worth getting a separate spur put in for my Miele? Will it improve my washes?

Howard
None taken!

Miele devices do seem to be built to the standard one might wish all achieved.

I once tried a kettle lead designed for some hifi exotica. The Naim was worse sounding with it, but the kettle had more hifi quality when I put the lead where it was more appropriate! The tea, rather oddly, tasted exactly the same as when using the standard kettle lead, but I am sure I could detect more acoustic space in in my kitchen with the special lead, waiting for the kettle to boil! Sorry about that silliness...

For quality washing machines don't forget Huskvarna, or AEG...

ATB from Fredrik

quote:

Kevin

I have a Miele dishwasher and it is about 7 or 8 years old. It is solid, runs very quiet and has never once gone wrong.

Similar to Mick, I have a washing machine of similar vintage. At the time of purchase (John Lewis) there were many brands / models to choose from. I asked for the one which would last longest, not the one with the most features. Without hesitation the sales lady pointed to the entry level Miele. Given the hard water of London, I think she was probably right!

AEG since thier takeover by electrolux have gone downhill along with Zanussi years ago.

After a new kitchen I have almost all AEG equipment, and I must say anything electrical such as induction hob, Oven (that includes steam), Microwave, Espresso Maker, Extractor has been briliant and I really rate it. BUT anything that involves water in any quantity is (from my experience) rubbish, it does not clean correctly, needs attention, has been repaired at least twice in two years, and so on. I can just tolerate their top of range dishwasher (but it's no comparason to my old pre takeover Zanusi that I left at my old place) and worst of all is the washer dryer - couldn't clean a grain of sand off a piece of Teflon (well I may exaggerate) but plan to sell/dump it and get Miele. This disappoints me big time as AEG, apart from the waste of £££, used to be a good make. Imagine Naim taken over by (insert £99.99 flashing light 300 WPC "HiFi" manufacturer here for PRAT's not with PRAT) - typical milk the Naim for profit then descend into mediocrity.

It may be capitalism but it stinks.

That said and on a different note, just had some curtains finally installed by Rogers of Streatham. After spending ages trying to find the right fabric, poles etc. I finally found it round the corner, the service was out of this world, it took months (that was me) measured for an exact fit, came round with a huge selection of fabric samples so I could get it right (went for a different colour), then poles to make exact measurements, suggested drop of radiators to get it to look 100% - this took time as away for 3 weeks and then finding a plumber (found a good one BTW). Finally installed today (2.5 hours to fit curtains!) part of this is they had noticed a scratch (on top) on one of the pole fittings so ordered a new one so it was 100%, they cared more about getting it right and ensuring I got what I wanted rather than getting their hands on the money - it took time, and they got my £££ and my future custom and recommendation. So if your in London and want curtains/blinds I strongly recommend them.

Needless to say, that didn't work and everyone died.

My Bosch seems OK - bought it from the Co-op Shop and had it for years and it still seems to get the clothes clean.

Had my disher washer for over 50 years - I was born with two of them: one on each arm.

Mieles often appear on eBay. Having had a Miele washing machine for about 10 years and realising they ARE that good when we needed a new dishwasher a couple of years back we got an almost new one from eBay from a chap refitting his kitchen. Cost about 60% of "new" price. Worth a thought?

Another Miele fan I'm afraid, fit and forget, well worth the investment long term. Over a period of years we have added a dishwasher, washing machine, microwave, expresso machine, and two vacuum cleaners, all Miele. Service is excellent as well if required, but only ever required rebuilds on vacuum cleaner when destroyed by domestic. Viewed it as the equivalent of a re-cap, good as new.

Regards

Nic

Another Miele-rite as well. Brilliant machines (and vacs as well). Bl**dy heavy mind - I think they have a cast iron cradle - don't drop it on your foot!

I'm with Rico in the Fisher & Paykel fan club. I wish they made hi-fi.