Hi Paul
I'd read somewhere that Bosch program their machines to default to program durations for lightly soiled items, so it kinda makes sence that your standard wash times are similar to some of our Zanussis 'SuperQuick' cycles (also for lightly soiled items).
I imagine the 'Intensive' cycles on the Bosch are basically like the normal cycles on the Zanussi. The cycle times for these on the Bosch seem abit longer to Zanussi though.
Fortunately our machine is one of the few that has a seperate temperature dial, rather than the temps being preset to each program like on most of the current Zanussis, so we're able to pick whatever temp we like for most programs. Our main dial is purely for fabric type (Cotton, Synthetics, Easy Care, Wool, etc).
I remember seeing something about your Aqualtis having an argument with the car. You put the machine on eBay in the end didn't you? Im not a modern Hotpoint fan myself but the Aqualtis does seem better put together than the rest of the Hotpoints.
Don't be TOO put off by the Bosch feeling similar in quality to the Beko. I dare say that even if the plastics feel similar, at least some of the working bits in the Bosch are of slightly better quality, even though i think Beko are good for the price & i think that Bosch are not necessarily that good for the money! That's just my opinion tho, and many wouldnt agree.
Miele on the other hand do seem a cut above. Still unnecessary gimmicks like programs for 'shirts' or 'jeans', which frankly would survive should people just put them in with their respective colour types, but on the whole they seem to pay alot more attention to longevity. We have a 6 year old Miele dishwasher which gets used once or twice a day & it's definately worth the extra cost of the purchase price.
The only makes i'd really consider currently are Beko or Miele. I love Zanussi & Whirlpool but the jury's out on how well made they are as (particularly Zanussis) quality seems to have got alot worse on the latest range of machines. I used to see more Whirlpools broken at a young age, but the amount of current range Zanussis (especially 1200 Essentials) as spare/repairs at the moment is very worrying.
Liam.