Is Zanussi losing one of it's best selling points?

[fl1012]

Hey all

As a few of you probably know i'm a big fan of Zanussi and for a long time they were considered a very solid brand. Even after a merger/buyout with Electrolux they continued to be pretty well made. Similar mergers of other makes have not been so sucessful in this respect.

Just lately i've been curious about the quality of Zanussis latest products. My Parents own one of the current style Zanussi washing machines and we've been pleased so far. It's now 2.5 years old and does at least 8 loads a week, so for your average modern washer it's doing alright. However, im noticing a sharp increase in the number of failed/broken Zanussi washing machines for sale/giveaway, on places like eBay. Here are three examples that are currently on eBay:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Zanussi-ZWF12...n_Washing_Machines_Dryers&hash=item335e095e74

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Washing-machi...n_Washing_Machines_Dryers&hash=item4aa21d26e2

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Zanussi-Washi...n_Washing_Machines_Dryers&hash=item2307dead12

All 3 examples appear to be suffering from bearing failure at 2 or less years old. Wouldn't necessarily be a problem, except (presumably due to cost cutting) Zanussi have decided to switch to sealed tubs on much of their latest range of machines, so the cost of repair effectively writes-off the machine. With this and posts i've seen elsewhere the problem appears fairly widespread, strangely on the slower 1200 spin machines rather than the 1400 or 1600. Obviously sales volumes would have some effect.

However, with all this in mind, what do people think? Is the brand risking losing loyal customers? Could it have over-estimated how much quality it could cut before it got to a standard below once poorer marques of machine? I already think Beko could steal ground on Zanussi, but how about Hotpoint or Whirlpool? Even Hoover/Candy, with their reliability woes?

Any comments welcome. I know we all have our favorite brands so thought it an ideal opportunity to have a good discussion about where we see things going.

Liam

 

[nickuk]

just an observation

Hi there

I am also a fan of Zanussi washing machines, though I never liked their dishwashers so consider that the best overall mid-market brand is Bosch.

I found it very interesting that most of the Zanussis with bearing failure were BOL models. This ties in with my experience too, whereby it is the smaller drum models which fail first. I would include, significantly, Tricity Bendix machines in thie discussion possibly for the same reason.

My 2004 Jetsystem was a good, though not outstanding machine (6kg I think, not the smallest drum), and did prob 15-20 loads a week. When I left it in our last house (2007?) there was no sign of a problem.

Nick.

 

[aquarius1984]

Morning Liam,

I cant speak directly from experience but I also find it odd that the lower spin machines are any worse however the few 1000/1200 Aquacycles I know of none have failed due to bearings.
Mostly PCB or motor issues and tend to be after the 5 year mark.

I wouldnt mind knowing how my ZWF1440W is getting on after 5 years albeit unlikely id ever want to speak to my ex again LOL.

Earlier this year Pauls sister and her fella were in need of a new machine after their Hotpoint WMA34 packed up. The tub worked loose off its suspension and with me not having the parts or time to hand to repair it for them they decided that as they also needed a new dryer (Creda compact which was sat on top of the washing machine and got thrown off and smashed when the tub worked loose in spin) they would just have a new machine.

Took them down to Currys in Blackburn where I reccommended the 1600 Essential 7kg and Sensor Vented Dryer however when we compared prices else where we could of trimmed £120 off the cost of the washer by shopping at John Lewis.

They placed the order of both washer and dryer at JL but when they phoned they had the 1600rpm 7kg Jetsystem on offer for £20 more which they snapped up and seem to be really happy with it.Mark (Pauls sisters fella) seems to most of the washing, the garage where it resides also houses his vintage tractor so its in his lair lol.

No issues yet so fingers crossed. From the outside they are IMHO the best made machines in the mid price range feeling nice and solid. Im no fan of Bosch or Beko.

My Arch-Enemy decided to give up the ghost on Saturday. Not been spinning particularly well for a good while mostly speeding up and cutting out in 3 short bursts. Gets a bit annoying having to use a spin drier for every load that came out of it.
Something new in as of last night!
All will be revealed later in the week LOL.

 

[aquacycle]

Im no fan of Bosch or Beko...

How everyones opinion differs never ceases to amaze me. I'd place both Bosch and Beko ABOVE Zanussi in terms of performance. My other half has a Zanussi with a 6KG drum and thats pretty good. However, the rinses on the 7KG models is abysmal. Beko have fantastic rinse levels and are proving to be quite reliable for a low end brand, even if the machines without quick wash options do slightly take the piss with the wash times.

 

[matchboxpaul]

Hi all

not really commenting on the quality standards of Zanussi's generally, but myself and rob popped into a Euronics shop on Saturday and were confronted by the machine below.

Badged as Zanussi, but made in China, I assume that this is purely a euronics exclusive and not the start of something new?

Actually quite like the way it looks, but it is very plasticky and definitely doesnt feel anything like zanussi's more usual standards.

Paul

http://www.euronics.co.uk/home-appliances/laundry/713/zanussi-zwg1120m-washing-machine

 

[pedro]

I found these on the Comet website....really can't say i'm keen on the new look, it looks....cheap. Although i fully understand my opinion may not match those of other members...

http://www.comet.co.uk/shopcomet/product/635154/ZANUSSI-ZWG1120M?cm_sp=FeatureEnd-_-Washing_Machines-_-position

 

[pedro]

lol, great minds think alike eh matchboxpaul? We posted at the exact same time! lol

 

[matchboxpaul]

what are the chances of that!

Hi Pedro.

Seconds must have divided us clicking the upload button.

Well - thats one question answered! Obviously not solely a Euronics exclusive.

Lets hope that this isnt the new Zanussi build quality and feel.

Paul

 

[paulc]

Comet site

Quotes spin speed of 600rpm! Must be a typo.

 

[pedro]

Pretty sure it is a typo....it should be a 1200rpm machine, most likely 600rpm is the slowest spin speed you can select.

It makes you wonder who writes up the product information on these sites, i've seen so many silly mistakes. Someone who didn't know better could be put off buying the machine after being given the wrong information.

 

[bertrum]

Hi Liam,
"at least 8 loads a week". Thats close to commercial usage.
I predict a breakdown!.

 

[newwave1]

I am like liam a huge zanussi fan. I own 3 vintage ones. Though my favourite modern brand is LG.

Sadly it seems they've succumbed to the cutting cost along with quality road. I never thought they would. My zanussi ZWF12070G1 which was the model in question will be one of the least overworked machines around now it resides in the garage with the rest of the team while the LG takes centre stage. In the time i've had it i've been happy with it. The current range finally has shorter cotton cycles as standard which did a good job. I didn't like that the minimum temp was 40. Bit high for a modern machine. Or that the only indication of the cycle i had was On/Active & door locked. So unless u kept your eye on it you couldn't be sure. Very annoying. How hard is it to put a wash/rinse/spin indication. Reminds me of bosch maxx's when they didn't have them.

It washes well and does very short pauses with long tumbles. The motor is a little louder than any previous zanussi i had. The rinsing was better because of the extra water it uses for not being a jetsystem model. I like it enough that i don't want to sell it just yet.

I'm shocked too at how many have turned up with PCB/Bearing failure.

Now...the "chinatown" zanussi. I downloaded the manual. Looking at it many many times. I hate that it carrys the zanussi badge. Its a samsung folks. And will do alot of damage to their rep because it is sold in Comet not just Euronics. though it hasn't featured on their main site. thankfully.

Darren

 

[fl1012]

Wow

I wasn't expecting such a big response, really glad it's got people expressing their thoughts though.

Nick, i agree about their more recent dishwashers. I've got a 2008 Progress AAA (ZDF511) in my house in Manchester & the top rack might aswell not be there, coz you can't get anything in the thing! The door catch also clicks shut with a horrid plasticky sound. Both of which i knew when i bought it, so i shouldn't moan, but at the time i thought Zanussi would be longer lasing than other similar priced dishwashers like the Hoover & Whirlpool ones i also looked at. The older Multirack DW907 from mid 90's that my parents had is still going strong at the neighbours about 13 years after we bought it, and did everything we wanted of it, so i wouldnt say i could find much fault with their older ones. Im guessing your Jetsystem was an XC model? They seem to be the last of the decent made Zanussis - many people seem to still have them, which is decent for a mid priced modern machine.

Hey Rob

Im wondering if the lower spin models have cheaper bearings to help keep their purchase price low? I can't see how faster/bigger drum machines keep going if they all use the same bearings. Your findings are very similar to mine, mostly motors and PCBs after 6 years - our old Electrolux Premier from 2000 suffered from exactly that at 7 years old (motor failed and took the PCB with it). It worked its arse off during that time though!

Models like your ZWF1440W seem quite similar to the current Essentials/Jetsystems, just with different facias. Though i think what makes the older ones better is they still have split tubs, and possibly different bearings? Im guessing they must have as i see less of them with bearing failure than the new ones.

Glad your sister's machine is proving decent so far, i guess time will tell, though i wouldve chosen just the same if id been in the market for a mid range machine. Beko appear fairly good for price to me, but i don't like Bosch, just seem to lack something for me. Bit typically Germanic & seem over rated.

The Indesit's dead?! How long did that take? It did ok didn't it, for an Indesit

Liam.

 

[fl1012]

AquaCycle.....

I agree that if you like deep rinse levels, Zanussi is not the brand for you, as ours sometimes uses a hopelessly small amount of water if the load is below a certain threshold. We rarely have problems with the quality of the wash or detergent residue though. Ive used a mates Bosch Classixx when i was staying there and it did fine, though i believe they default to lightly soiled cycle times and you have to select 'Wash Plus' or 'Rinse Plus' to get the wash as thorough as the Zanussis standard cycle. Might be model specific though. Beko i've not used, but i do like the look of them & the sound of high level rinses.

Paul and Pedro - i really hope that isn't what the new range of Zanussis look like, they look abit Haier-ish around the control panel. And if theyre made in China then i suppose they could be made by Haier. God what a thought! Definately wont be buying one if that's the case.

The current Zanussi Brochure doesnt show them yet, but it does show some former Tricity Bendix machines as the entry level ones, which is interesting.

Bertrum - Eek i hope not. We do do alot of washing, but have strangely managed to get fairly decent lifespans from our appliances. Our Hotpoint 95450 lasted 12 years, including several years when me and my sister were babies with towling nappies. Our Indesit Omega 1196w lasted 5 years with us, but lived till 8 years old at my mums work, then our Electrolux Premier 1200 did 7 years before the motor went. Doesn't seem too bad considering none of them were particularly expensive machines.

I don't know if the way we wash things helps, as Mum tends to seperate by colour type & not cram the drum full, so the load tends to comprise of a few heavy towels and a few light-weight items of clothes. Possibly better for the machine than my style of washing where i put all the towels in together, which weighs the drum down more, then do jeans and darks, and then lighter colours. Mum also only uses 30 or 40 degrees which obviously means the machine isnt running for as long as when i do washing on 60c. I think if we get 4-5 years we'll be happy, as it was only £230 in Nov 2007. Not sure if we'd get another tho, looking at how they seem to be going.

Liam.

 

[fl1012]

Darren!

How you doing fella? I liked the look of your Essential, as it was kinda more gunmetal grey along the facia, rather than full on silver like some other makes. Like you i get annoyed with the lack of progress indicators - 'wash', 'door' and 'end' are pretty useless, especially when you think the likes of Whirlpool offer comprehensive indicators on even their low end 6th Sense machines. The motor on ours is quite whiney, though it comes and goes. Fortunately as you know, ours has the variable temp dial so we can pick 30c if we like. Not having that is pretty lame on a new machine.

The cycle times as you say are pretty good for a modern machine. About 1hr 45mins for a standard 40c cotton cycle. Down to 1 hour if Superquick is pressed or just over 2 hours with Prewash or Extra Rinse.

As for that 'Chinatown' (lol) machine. I spose Samsung isn't as bad as what i thought (Haier), though i'm still sad to hear it. Im not buying a Zanussi thats made outside the Electrolux Group, i can't see why they needed to do it with the economies of scale a group of Electrolux size must have. Great shame.

Liam.

 

[lavamat_jon]

The rebadged Zanussis are rebadged Midea machines, a Chinese manufacturer of appliances.

Either way, it's quite a bleak outlook. I'm also surprised that they've outsourced seeming as they claim to be the world's biggest supplier of household appliances.

Then again, I guess it's the same story as most cheap machines, X amount of features for Y price point.

Jon

http://global.midea.com.cn/midea/categoryProductHome.do?categoryTypeId=3

 

[paulinroyton]

How About One Of These Machines.

Hi guys.

Just to say I enjoyed reading all your post. I think Miele are still good quality machines, and German made, not like the Polish Bosch machines, lol.

Does anyone have info on AEG machines. Are they realiable, or have they gone down hill.

Also, what do you think of this Maytag, have you seen the price, lol.

Regards

Paul

http://www.comet.co.uk/shopcomet/product/592048/MAYTAG-MWA0720IIA

 

[ronhic]

Welll....

...the Maytag is an ASKO, not a Maytag....

I personally think it looks fantastic and they appear to be heavily build having played with one in the shops....

...but like most things, only time will tell...

Beko used to be known as a bargain basement brand with equivalent quality....and I predicted 18mth ago that would change post their purchase of Blomberg - and it has...just check out the Which? reliability ratings rate Beko as 'Above Average' in reliability....which should be commended for what is a relatively new brand to the UK market....

 

[paulinroyton]

Comet

Hi Chris.

So is the item I posted on here made by Asko, as the machine says Maytag. For the price it should have a 23ct drum, and solid diamonds for the buttons, lol.

I had a look at Beko machines the other evening. They seem to be better build quality than my Bosch Maxx 5 machine. I looked at Darrens post on another thread and I love the silver door. I wonder if Beko are gonna have any teething troubles with their new range.

Regards

Paul