Perennial question, what washing machine?

[esawesau]

Dear UK Whitegoods,

You’ve been granted a reprieve! I’d written a really long message but I lost it when I tried to submit it so, though I’ll probably still waffle, this will be slightly more concise.
I came to your site via your article on Direct Drive vs Indirect, from which I continued to look at various forums and your article on sealed tubs as I continue on my search for the washing machine for.
I’ve been looking for months and months as my old machine deteriorates evermore and I save-up to buy a REAL washing machine. The sealed tubs article reflected my own angle on purchase. “A lot of people think that buying a cheap machine and just replacing it after a few years is a good idea and that it’s economically sound, we believe this to be misguided at best.” Agree, absolutely! And even more, this “Good reliable appliances are an investment. The game isn’t to get one as cheaply as possible, it’s to get one as good as possible as buying as cheap as you can is just asking for trouble, heartache and grief you don’t want.”
That is how I feel. I’m still saving and will continue to do so until 1) I can find out what that good reliable appliance might be and 2) I have enough to buy one! The reason I stumbled on your site is a case in point. I’ve been looking at countless reviews on a hundred machines and being unable to find something I felt I could trust I foolishly asked in an electrical goods store. He tried to push direct-drive machines, but it was the work of a moment to demonstrate (having no idea myself) that he didn’t have a clue what it meant and why it was better, or what was the alternative drive method. Time to go, I thought.
So, please, you seem to be sensible folk? A solid, well designed, well made, reliable, fully repairable (as your article called it) washing machine that will do a superb job as a washing machine and give many years of reliable, good quality service and in the event that something breaks down be more likely to be repairable rather than consign-able to the scrapyard!
Please will you be so kind as to suggest a/ or some machines that you think could be the to give me many years good service? I’ll treat it well once we meet, it will be a big investment for me so it’s in my interest to! I’ll keep saving until I can buy the best I possibly can, and once it’s bought I won’t be able to again for many years so I really don’t want my fingers burned, as they’d be effectively cut off!?
Hopefully most washing machines are largely energy and water-efficient but one would that advantage is definitely a desirable quality in a potential machine too, the only other definite is that it doesn’t need to have too large a capacity, but I’d like it to be larger than 6kg as I find that too small.

Please Help! (Sorry this was still really long. Oops.) Thank YOU!!!

[electrofix]

Re: Perennial question, what washing machine?

I too have written an essay lol

for my money Miele is top of the tree but I have even heard they may use some sealed tubs

As for other makes you have to be equally careful

Take Bosch which has machines to cover the spectrum of the market some sealed some not but it easy to check

take for example Bosch machine WAN24100GB 7 Kg load ( white cotton only which is normal)

from
http://www.bosch-home.co.uk/product-lis … 451811247/

go to

http://www.bosch-home.co.uk/customer-se … pare-parts

type in the Enr number and you get a list and choose the highest number which in this case is

WAN24100GB/22

now click forward and you get to the spare parts site. if you now click on
spare parts and exploded drawings

you bring up the part diagrams and in this model go to page 2

2 items now give the tub away that i can see

1 shaft seal item 317 look in the spares list below and its available

2 drums front and rear items 316 & 319 are both different prices.

If tub was sealed shaft seal would not be available and the tubs would be same part number and price

hope this helps your Quest

Dave

[thrombel]

Re: Perennial question, what washing machine?

Miele – 1st choice
Siemens – 2nd choice

I recently purchased a Miele – super quiet, washes well & simple to use. Its so quiet that I can’t hear it running, other than the water swishing around & obviously spin mode. Its very basic looking, no bells & whistles either. I have lots of stained clothing (kids) & everything comes out spotless. Interestingly, the clothes are in a loose pile at the end of the wash. Nothing is stuck to the side of the drum! Clothes are less creased – less ironing, yay! It came with a 10 year parts & labour guarantee. They also do 5 year promotions on selected models.

Miele are designed to last 20 years. We shall see…… At least I’m covered for the next 10 years! I went for a Miele this time because of the 10 year guarantee & their excellent reliability.

I previously had a Siemens. This washed just as well as the Miele, equally done a super job on stains too – kids eh….. It did have more bells & whistles, internal light drum etc. It was heavily used (family of 4) & lasted 8 years. The bearings went on it. Interestingly it had a split drum – was quoted about £200 to repair. I decided to cut my losses & replace. Not sure if this was a good life span for a Siemens that was heavily used??

Previous to this I had a Servis & Hotpoint – I didn’t rate these at all because they were rubbish at cleaning the clothes. Couldn’t wait to get shot of them…..

I once used an Indesit in a holiday cottage & this was rubbish too. Done a dreadful job of cleaning the kids clothes…. didn’t get rid of any stains…..

Once you own a premium washing machine like a Siemens or Miele you really notice the difference in all areas!!

I would never go back to a cheap brand again. You get what you pay for…..

[iadom]

Re: Perennial question, what washing machine?

Bearing in mind of course that the Siemens is actually a Bosch. 😉

[kwatt]

Re: Perennial question, what washing machine?

Rebadged Bosch if you please that circulates in better social circles. 😉

K.

[Martin]

Re: Perennial question, what washing machine?

…..where top-tech now has breached the £1,000 mark just for a washing machine.

Technological madness and no more reliable than one a third of the price.

[esawesau]

Re: Perennial question, what washing machine?

Hello. Thank you to everybody for your replies! I’ve never approached a forum before and I’m so pleased at receiving your responses. The tip on looking for parts eg. the seal shaft etc. was a handy hint, thank you.

Now, to the contributor of the below ‘Thrombel’:

“I recently purchased a Miele – super quiet, washes well & simple to use. Its so quiet that I can’t hear it running, other than the water swishing around & obviously spin mode. Its very basic looking, no bells & whistles either. I have lots of stained clothing (kids) & everything comes out spotless…”
This sounds like my kind of machine, may I ask if this was fairly recent and if so what model it is please? Then I can look it up and see if it’s ‘in my league’ – financially that is.

Huge thanks!

[thrombel]

Re: Perennial question, what washing machine?

Hello esaweau,

Miele WDD030 – purchased in January 2018.
I purchased from my local Euronics – they priced matched (on-line company). John Lewis also price match.

Be aware that Miele’s are deeper than other brands, so check measurements.

Also, 7 & 8kg Miele drums are the same size. I measured in the store! I guess it goes on the weight laundry you load?

You will not be disappointed with a Miele!

Husband’s relative swears by them – family of 7. Says its a workhorse & needs reliability for that amount of laundry!

I’ve lost count of how many Hotpoint’s my Aunt (my side of the family) has purchased over the years…… Again, heavy use – family of 6.

[thrombel]

Re: Perennial question, what washing machine?

Also consider checking out Which? Does your library have a Which? account? Mine does – member of staff logs you on at the public computers.

Forgot to add above – the 10 year guarantee on the WDD030 has now finished, limited time. Check out Miele’s website for current promotions.

[esawesau]

Re: Perennial question, what washing machine?

thrombel wrote:Also consider checking out Which? Does your library have a Which? account? Mine does – member of staff logs you on at the public computers.

Forgot to add above – the 10 year guarantee on the WDD030 has now finished, limited time. Check out Miele’s website for current promotions.

Thank You! I shall seek out a good deal on one of those when I’ve had longer to save and I’ll measure too – thanks for that tip too. What size is your one if you don’t mind my asking? (ie. in kg, eg. 7kg/ 8kg etc., I’m not asking you to get out your tape measure!) I’ll leave you in peace now folks, with hearty thanks for such tremendous help. I’d started out with Which!, but had found contradictory reviews for some of the top-rated models… hence my appeal for help here! Thank you!!!

[esawesau]

Re: Perennial question, what washing machine?

thrombel wrote:Hello esaweau,

Miele WDD030 – purchased in January 2018… Again, heavy use – family of 6.

PS. I’ve been looking into this a little closer and it talks about the ‘capdos’ system. Is it mandatory to use these or can standard detergents be used? Do you use the ‘caps’? ES

[thrombel]

Re: Perennial question, what washing machine?

I’ve got the 8kg model.

I don’t use the caps – they are well expensive….. You can only purchase from Miele, no-one else makes them. It would cost me a fortune…. the amount of washing I do. Since Monday I’ve done 3 loads & 2 more loads will go in tomorrow (Wed). The amount of washing with kids is endless…..

I stock up on washing powders/liquids when on offer.

Out of interest, what brand is your current washing machine? What don’t you like about it?

[esawesau]

Re: Perennial question, what washing machine?

thrombel wrote:I’ve got the 8kg model.

I don’t use the caps – they are well expensive….. You can only purchase from Miele, no-one else makes them. It would cost me a fortune…. the amount of washing I do. Since Monday I’ve done 3 loads & 2 more loads will go in tomorrow (Wed). The amount of washing with kids is endless…..

I stock up on washing powders/liquids when on offer.

Out of interest, what brand is your current washing machine? What don’t you like about it?

Hello again.

Thank you very much. I usually do the same with detergents, so I was very much hoping they wouldn’t be necessary. Right, that’s me then, I’m looking out for one now – and like the detergents etc. I’ll be hunting out a good price!
My old washing machine is a Blomberg. Prior to that I’d had an old Hotpoint which, while it was nothing to write home about, washed adequately and lasted over 10 years without problems until burning out (not literally, but it worked until it dropped so to speak). Whereas the Blomberg hasn’t lasted half that time, has had to be repaired, but even then it doesn’t wash, rinse or even spin properly. Clothes don’t come out smelling really clean, there are often patches of bedlinen etc. that are left bone dry or garments would be partially dripping wet. And I’m absolutely sure it wasn’t overloaded as I’ve tried various sizes of load trying to get better results. I usually end up washing things twice, and that’s a proper standard wash not a ‘Quick wash’ type. It’s really annoying. My washing feels like it still has a coating of detergent, slightly stiffened, but doesn’t smell or feel clean. I’m really hoping my huge (for me anyway) investment will be a success for much time to come… Otherwise I’ll have to invest in a washboard and employ my bath – the sad thing is I’m not joking!

Thank you for all your help! May you and all your appliances live long and launder (or whatever other function they are supposed to perform!).

[thrombel]

Re: Perennial question, what washing machine?

Let us know how you get on when you get your Miele. You won’t be disappointed!

Forgot to say in my other posts, clothes come out smelling so fresh. Fresher than my Siemens. I do remove the detergent drawer after each wash to air dry. + keep the porthole door open, to avoid any smells building up. I didn’t initially do this with my Siemens & came home to a smelly washing machine after a 2 week holiday. Despite running a service wash (90 degrees) etc, it was never the same….

The wash programmes are long, so I either put the machine on early or set up the night before on delay timer.

Have to say Miele’s are very plain looking! The orange bit on the dial reminds me of the 1970s!! They don’t look snazzy like other brands. But I would rather have a machine that performs & is reliable, than looks. Miele clearly do a lot of research on performance & quality.

Also check out QVC – they sometimes do demos (on-line videos). They wash a rose & it comes out intact. The same as it went in….. Now thats astonishing.

[esawesau]

Re: Perennial question, what washing machine?

“Let us know how you get on when you get your Miele. You won’t be disappointed! “
Dear Thrombel,

I kept forgetting to write, but I’m getting around to it now – sorry!

So I went for it, I have had my Miele WDD030 for a couple of weeks now and it’s a tonic. I like the look of it, nice and simple, and who would care when it performs the way it does. It’s so delightfully solid and well built, no rattle and fear that the machine will take off across the kitchen or shake its insides out as with my old rattler. And the joy of having clean clothes again. Having put up with my old semi-functional machine for so long I hadn’t realised how bad it was until I started using this. Laundry items which had previously been ‘washed’ in the old one seemed to be brought back to life, coming out looking, feeling and smelling great. Hooray!
Unfortunately I had some utterly frustrating problems involving delays from customer service departments which resulted in my missing out on an extended guarantee offer so I’ve had to take one out myself which I have to pay for by instalments (after the price of the machine there wasn’t a chance of my finding the money to pay for the warranty up front!). But after 12 instalments it will have the full 10 years which I find reassuring – as I’m sure did you!
Thank you, and other contributors and UK Whitegoods itself, for all the help, honesty, and sensible advice. I’m so pleased with it and I hope it is happy with me for many years to come. I’ll certainly be taking good care of it!!

Warmest wishes to you, your family, and everyone’s appliances!

[Author]

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