Recommendations for an integrated washing machine

[dfects]

Hiya 🙂

We’ve been living in a new build property for about 3 years now and the integrated Zanussi ZKI 225 is making lovely bearing noises. It looks like a sealed unit, so rather than fork out the costs for the parts + labour I’m thinking of just replacing it.

Does anyone have any recommendations? It doesn’t look like there is much choice. Something reliable over fancy features would be great at around £5-600 max. If it helps there are 2 in the household but we probably do 3-5 washes a week.

Thanks,

Ste

[Martin]

Re: Recommendations for an integrated washing machine

The sealed drum bearing failure effect now spreads across all brands. So you either go cheap and buy Beko so you get 3 to 5 yrs out of it for under £350. Or you spend £700+ on a Siemens to be certain at least that it is fully guaranteed against failure for 5 yrs. You could of course just punt £200 on getting your existing machine sorted?

[dfects]

Re: Recommendations for an integrated washing machine

Thanks for the reply. I found a place selling the part online and it was £204. Factor in labour costs etc. surely it would be almost the same price again as replacing it with another new cheap model.

I might be wrong and the part is a lot cheaper elsewhere. Or it might be more expensive as its a washer/dryer.

Sadly I don’t think we can stretch to over £700. Its a shame there isn’t a super basic one in this price range thats more reliable. After all, we only use maybe 1-2 settings on it!

[Martin]

Re: Recommendations for an integrated washing machine

dfects wrote:Its a shame there isn’t a super basic one in this price range thats more reliable. After all, we only use maybe 1-2 settings on it!

Actually “basic” and “reliable” can prove to be the case with many modern washing machines. Many cheap machines can and do outlast their dearer counterparts. A Beko can outlast a Bosch and so often do these days. 10 years or so back and that wasn’t true at all. Born out of the fact that, not that the cheap ones have got better, but the former quality up market brands have got worse. Cutting costs by reducing the potential durability of the product in order to compete in this cut throat world we ‘enjoy’ today.

One correction on my previous post in that I didn’t pick up on the fact you had a washer/dryer, you said washing machine but I should have run by that model number you gave to realise you were talking washer/dryer. So your Beko will be £430ish and Siemens around £750. I’d never buy a washer/dryer personally so I couldn’t comment on which to choose given that choice. Though price seems to be your main concern so Beko might be the way to go. Fixing your machine not an option in my opinion, it’s never worth the risk in case more faults surface further down the line.

[dfects]

Re: Recommendations for an integrated washing machine

Thanks for the reply 🙂 The dryer in this unit is crap and I certainly wouldn’t of chosen to buy a washer/dryer myself, it was included with the new house. I’d personally rather splash the cash for a meile free standing unit, but the cavity for it to fit in is too snug on the sides I fear. Their integrated units are just too expensive for us at the moment.

I’ll be looking to just get a normal integrated washing machine.

[Martin]

Re: Recommendations for an integrated washing machine

dfects wrote:I’d personally rather splash the cash for a meile free standing unit, but the cavity for it to fit in is too snug on the sides I fear.

I’ve seen many a fitted kitchen where folks have taken their duff integrated out and slid in a Miele free standing instead. We’re talking quality here and they really set off a nice modern kitchen, they really do. Especially if the kitchen has nice white units and not those dull wood cupboads that were so popular a few years back. To see a Miele in there somewhere shows the owner puts quality first I reckon.

[dfects]

Re: Recommendations for an integrated washing machine

Hmm interesting. We do indeed have white shiny units so it’d probably fit in nicely. I have no problems with cutting the plinth covering underneath the washing machine. I know the cavity is about 60cm wide with maybe 1-2mm either side of the integrated washing machine. My main concern would be the vibrations when on a spin shaking the units to bits. Would it need more clearance? I would of thought both an integrated machine and a free standing one would be similar clearance wise.

[Martin]

Re: Recommendations for an integrated washing machine

Vibration not an issue with Miele as the out of balance sensors within prevent this from happening to a greater degree. Though solid floors are favourite in eliminating the problem in ensuring it is stands firm. (The machine overall is quite heavy so that helps). Bouncy loose wooden floors are a caution.

The tight space between units would not present a problem. 😀

[dfects]

Re: Recommendations for an integrated washing machine

That’s great to know! Our house has concrete floors, so it should have a very sturdy base. I’m thinking of maybe the WDA111 for £619 from John Lewis as it has a 5 year warranty with it 🙂

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