A new machine for my Mom

[gansky1]

My parents just bought a Whirlpool Duet Sport 3.5 cu ft washer & matching dryer.  Mom loves it but it was a bit low so we found pedestals on CL and added those last week.  Now it's much more comfortable to use and so far, she loves them.  It's just the two of them but the capacity is more than ample for average wash loads.  They bought this set (not TOL, one step down) at a local Menards home center - lumberyard, $900 for both.   We paid $160 for the pedestals - less than half the price of one new.

 

[qualin]

Well, here's what I was thinking...

My mother lives in a Rural area, so if she has issues with the machine, it's not like she can just pop by a hardware store or appliance center and complain. She's about an hour and a half drive from anywhere which sells appliances.

Heh, anything goes wrong with that machine and she has to make an investment. A phone call is long distance. A trip out uses gasoline and time. There can't be many. Especially those dreaded, "The service guy has been out four times now to replace x, y and z."

In theory, a lot of appliance places will gladly sell me an extended warranty which covers everything, but it comes down to the time and money spent to continue investing in a machine which could potentially be a lemon.

The problem with Whirlpool, WCI, GE, etc is this...

If a company builds 10 million machines a year and 0.01 percent of them are defective or will go defective very quickly, that's 100 machines which will bite the dust just after their warranty. It's a calculated business risk.

All anyone would ever see on youtube, forums, etc are the unhappy owners, even though they probably make lots of great machines which could potentially last 10-15 years under light usage in an ideal scenario.

In the case of one video I saw on youtube, some engineers apparently seem to design their machines to fail. (Screws sticking out from the inner basket, which could lead to scraping the plastic outer tub for example.)

The other issue is the infamous broken/corroded spider issue which is fairly common with domestic North American front loaders. Reading on this forum, I understand it's also a common problem with cheap Indesit, Ariston and Hotpoint machines in Europe. (Sorry guys, but I've only seen Ariston sold here in Canada.)

So, if I want to consider something, either it would be cheap and expected to fail within a few years, or it would be something considerably more expensive, but designed to last.

More to the point, it seems to me like it's also getting the best value for my money. The best warranty, the best construction at the best price.

So, I kind of figure this brings it down a few different options. (In no order of preference)

1. LG WM2140CW (4.0 cu.ft) or the WM1355HW (2.7 cu.ft)
2. Samsung WF210ANW
3. Miele Novotronic W1612
4. Asko W6222

I figure a larger capacity machine would vibrate more and cause issues, so smaller capacity machines are certainly an option if they don't have vibration reduction technology.

Thanks for all the input so far!

 

[qualin]

Any opinions on the AEG LAVAMAT L64850L or the AEG LAVAMAT L74950A?

 

[coldspot]

Now this is my take so being this is how I fell and might not be how others fell.

Samsung hell no junk total junk and more junk. Yes I hate them there junk is junk. I got a GE washer it is 100% built by Samsung. Fixed once under warranty. This washer is used by me no one else 1 person about once a week some times twice a week.

First repair took forever. GE or Samsung had no parts for it here at the time. They had to order them took forever.

Problem tub bearings shot. This took a new real outer tub. Also motor board thing shot.

Got that took care of. Worked good for about 4 months. Then went to land filed. I said screw it. Ge at this point it was 2 weeks after the warranty ran out would not help. Samsung said they could not help but could give me a break on service fee.

Well this time they came out and found out the unit needed be ready. Shocks, springs,rear tub for bearings,and new drum spider. Total cost to fix it cam to $2004.88. I looked at the service man and said f this f them it is going to the land filed.

Funny thing I posted a video on youtube the first time it broke. I got about 6 emails from others saying there was doing the same thing.

I am replacing it with a twin tub danby. I know it is cheap but after this no way would I spend a large amount on something that might only last 1 years and 2 weeks aging.

By the way this was my third front loader first was the 1999 Frigidaire, No problem with it at all. next was the newer Frigidaire it lasted about 2 years had problems with plastic parts breaking.

If I was and had the money I would go SQ or Miele. Or a washer soft mount from a Laundromat.

Here is one tip after this last washer I had, Before you buy pull up parts list look at the prices. This can give a ideal if you had to buy a major part what it will cost to replace it.

 

[ronhic]

Options 3 or 4.....

 

Both Miele and ASKO have good suspension systems, but I would still suggest (as Miele do in their manuals if I remember correctly) of screwing a solid board over any floorboards/joists to ensure a stable platform.

 

As this machine may look a little small compared to what she is used to, you will need to show her how to load it - right up to the top, as she will most likely be reluctant....you've only got to read the comments on here to understand that sooooo many Nth Americans don't 'get' the concept of how to use European machines properly.

 

She may have to alter her current laundry habits if she's used to doing 6 loads in a row and getting them all dry outside etc but both of these machines should have a 'short' warm cycle that takes around 45 minutes for smaller loads....Thankfully, if she adapts quickly to the 'load her full' way of doing things and it's only your folks rather than a house hold full, she'll probably be doing 5 or 6 loads a week if she follows the 'load her full' rule.

 

Oh, and detergent choice and dosing are VERY important.....

 

 

 

[jlbrazil]

LG..

Not saying to buy it over a Miele , but its just my opinion having one for almost 3 years.
I live in Brazil and I have an LG WD-1403FD ( Identical to the WM1355HW ).
Here its rated an 8 Kg machine , have lots of options ( Some are different to the American one since mine is the European version )and spins at 1400 RPM.
I don't have nothing to complain about it. Cleaning power is awesome , rinse is acceptable ( If you think its not enough you can add up to 5 rinses ) and the spin is amazing ( full 5 minutes at 1400 RPM ).
In case you're curious about how the machine works , you can watch some of my videos

Joao.

LGwash1

Share your videos with friends, family, and the world

www.youtube.com

 

[glenfieldmathk1]

The Bosch Axxis+ has anti vibration design, large capacity, but not over sized and fits in a small imprint.
Bosch Is a very reliable brand, and machine probably has the Magnetic motor, which comes with 10 Year guarantee in some areas (which strikes me the machine will probably last at least 5-10 years.
Otherwise, go for the Miele, then the Asko, then the LG, then the Samsung.

 

[combo52]

BEST FL WASHERS

Best buy is the mid-sized WPs with the horizontal, non tilted tubs. Best machine for long term durability and affordable repairs Speed Queen. Mieles are very good machines, but all washers and cars will break and you will pay for a Miele more than once.

 

Broken spiders are almost always the fault of the user, almost all automatic washers built for the last 50-60 have major aluminum parts in them, and they can and will fail more quickly if too little or cheap detergent is used in slightly or very hard water. There are several other factors that have been discussed at length on several threads that contribute to the corroded and broken spiders and ruined water seals and bad main bearings.

 

[qualin]

OK, Bosch may be worth considering as well.. Looks like they come in a variety of capacities. Shame they don't come in 220 volt like the Asko. Would the reliability of the Bosch be about the same as an Asko?

 

[bosch2460]

I have had a Bosch Axxis+ in use for 10 year now. I have replaced the motor bushes once, about the 6 year mark. That is it. That washer does anywhere from 15-25 loads a week. My sister is using it now for her family of four. I was just there yesterday, checking it out. I also have a Miele 1966 that is my daily driver. It is about 5 years old. It is flawless. Both of those machines are 220V. In my opinion, you cannot go wrong with Bosch or Miele. I do not care what anyone else claims about expensive parts, etc. With proper care and use, you will not need repairs at all. Miele is my first choice, followed by the Bosch, and finally Speed Queen. I am not expert, but I have 2 Euro washers who's quality speaks for themselves.

--Joel

 

[Sandy16]

I have 2 Asko sets, an 11 year old 660 andyear old 6222. Both have performed flawlessly though the 1600 rpm spin will make some noise.

They hold a lot more than you would think and are meant to be fully loaded. If the smaller capacity in the Miele or Asko units is causing concern try weighing the wash loads to better understand what their capacity truly is.

Good luck!

 

[qualin]

Thanks for the advice everyone..

Miele, Asko or Bosch! Got it.