I don’t understand why anyone would want the 4516 instead of the 4519 either, it has worse quality suspension rods and smaller tub although when new the 4516 spins smoother, the 4519 has more options and I don’t mind the taller impeller VMWs, although I’m not too big on the smaller balance ring on that unit (not sure why Whirlpool did this in 2018).
The commercial units had the bigger balance rings as well as the older washplate ones (like my WTW4900BW0). I don’t like that Whirlpool is now using the smaller balance rings plus when those go off balance they often bang while the tub is spinning at full speed causing it to put holes in the wall. They don’t usually explode, tho but I’ve seen some get somewhat damaged. Plus during the spin cycle the smaller balance ring narrow drum whirlpools make this weird “popping” noise.
The NTW4516FW seems to spin smoothly at first but prone to suspension rod issues after about 3-6 years. Don’t be surprised if your 4516 starts to bang after about 4 years (if the control board doesn’t fail in 9 months).
If you overload the 4519, that hub will strip out within a few years.
Both have this control board issue, all the six light Whirlpools from 2024 or 2023 did pretty much, both Amana and Whirlpool, and I’m pretty sure some units from Crosley, Roper, and Kenmore did as well. As well as that 3.5 cu ft Admiral that isn’t sold anywhere. Any whirlpool with the six lights underneath the panel has the control board issue, regardless of the brand or model. The newer style whirlpools don’t seem to have it. Every whirlpool machine that’s VMW or VMAX has a flood mode, they don’t just flood your house when it’s overfilling like a GE Model-T does.
The older VMWs (pre-2018) with the stainless narrower drums (not the 4.2 to 4.3 models) didn’t get suspension rod issues often at all and the suspension on those usually lasted at least 7 years before failure. Also, as much as I hate modern GE washing machines, I think those are more reliable than the newest Whirlpools. LG’s don’t seem too bad as long as you buy the ones without the AI controls.
The removable agitator was introduced in 2021 as a Whirlpool exclusive, it’s essentially just a washplate machine with a random stick.
If you’re buying a Whirlpool right now I’d strongly recommend getting the newer style models (although those are junk and are prone to vibrations on spin cycle), although they don’t have a major control board issue. The basic models have major issues with the control board. I’d you’re getting a whirlpool I’d also recommend getting a VMAX and not a VMW (the big drum VMWs have issues with the pump wires). The big drum VMWs should’ve just continued using the same drain pumps as the VMAX machines (that was already done with the first models of those from 2020), I’m guessing Whirlpool changes the pumps to save some Pennies as the other pumps were cheaper to use. Even the 4.2 to 4.3 cu ft VMWs used to use the VMAX pumps until 2019, although I didn’t really see pump wire issues with the smaller big drum VMWs.
