Launderess versus Miele W1070 The Continuing Saga

[launderess]

Things can go either way I think.

A member (TopLoader?) had several issues with his new Miele washer. Finally what sounded like rear bearing failure occurred. MieleUSA being MieleUSA debated that fact with him, but never the less a tech was dispatched from Princeton, NJ to MA for sorting matter. Sure enough it was a rear bearing failure, this on a basically new washing machine.

Miele USA offered to ship washer down to Princeton, NJ, do repair work, then send washer back, all under warranty. Member stuck to his guns and insisted on a new washer period. His rationale was sound; machine had several issues prior to rear bearing failure, and that last bit shouldn't happen on new washing machines. Long story short, he got a new washer out of Miele USA.

At least here Miele is famous for fobbing customers off with giving a discount (not more than 30% or so) off a new appliance if they will give up their current model that is in need of repair. This often occurs with older washers and few other things. They tried that with me once to stop calling them out to fix my Miele W1070.

Don't know about elsewhere in world, but FWIU at least in USA Miele has no where near enough repair techs. They like everyone else is having a difficult time finding qualified people wanting to become repair techs as well.

One wonders if Miele simply considers it a faster and more effective remedy for certain repairs to just give a new appliance and be done. I mean if a customer can have say a new washer in less than a week, versus waiting two weeks or more to have broken one fixed...

 

[launderess]

Above being said, if rear bearings and or motor go out during warranty period/first three years, I'd want a new machine.

Those sort of bits are meant to last, especially on Miele washers. Unless owner is using washer in a commercial or industrial setting doing five, six or more loads per day five or six days per week, can't see how rear bearings or a motor would or should fail in short period of time.

 

[henene4]

The W1 is very much repairable.
It's just not worth it.

For a proper repair they'd have to take the machine to their shop, do the 2h repair and then return it.
Cost would be north of production cost of a new unit, so it's trashed.

I think the billing rate of an hour work from Miele service is in the range of 100€ or more.
Multiply that for the 2 man needed to transport it and work cost would be like 600€ on its own.
My shop buys mid-line Miele washers for not much more.

Actually, bearing exchange is much easier on the W1 than the a W770.

From what I have seen, the bearings on a W1 should be replaceable without removing the tub.
Could get tight pulling the bearing cross out, but possible.

For the older service door designs you have to pull the entire tub out which either involves a small crane or removing motor, counterweights and all the wiring and piping.

Saying: If back then the bearings would fail under warranty, they would have replaced the machine entirely as well.

 

[launderess]

Yes, that is how things go in USA, which is why Miele here does not do major work like rear bearing swaps, tub replacement, motor issues, etc... in homes. Everything has to go to Princeton, NJ where they have winches, cranes, etc...

This being said am always amazed with what hobbyists and DIY people do with Miele or other washers in Europe working in small spaces. Total braking down, repair, rebuilding.....

 

[brisnat81]

Miele replaced the bearings on my 3xxx series washer at the 5 year mark under their quality guarantee. The first time, they took it away, it was gone for two weeks and then it started leaking from the bearings within a few loads.

They took it away again and replaced the inner drum, rear backplate and the bearings again and 8 years later it has not had another problem. From the number of 3xxx machines I’ve found that the inner drum rubs on the boot, there seems to have been a design issue with their first 6.5kg machines that fitted in a standard 60x60cm cabinet.

 

[sudsmaster]

For some reason I've acquired a Miele collection over the years:

One 1918a washer
Three 1065 washers
Two dryers of same general vintage as the 1065

Of these, I know one of the 1065 washers work, as does the 1918a. I generally only use the 1918a, and then mostly for whites, like towels and washcloths. And I prefer it because of its higher spin speed, even though it "only" heats to 170F, vs the 205F of the 1065's. IMHO, 170F is more than enough with modern detergents.

Never tested the dryers or the second and third 1065 washers.

For a while these items were going for a song, or free, on Craigslist. Go figure.

 

[launderess]

Miele didn't sell huge numbers W700, W10XX washers in USA. In any event after nearly thirty years many were either by now scrapped (for want of repair usually I bet), sitting around spare in some basement or whatever, and or still being used long as owner can keep them going (Moi for instance).

Saw a W1065 few years ago on CL in SF, seller claimed it no longer would spin (common issue, just means new motor brushes are needed usually), and was practically giving unit away. Reached out but heard nothing back but crickets. Then advert mysteriously went missing from CL. Oh well...

There is also as with W19xx and even later model of Miele washers owners chuck these early units for something more modern, and or with greater capacity.

World has changed front loading washer wise in USA from back in 1980's when Miele along with Asko, Creda and Bosch introduced European h-axis washers to USA.

Much as one (obviously) has a soft spot for my W1070, the AEG Lavamat washers in my collection are in many ways superior.

MieleUSA is of no help to those wishing to keep older washers, dryers and other appliances going. Tech support and repair vary from wonderful to hopeless. In most instances for at least past fifteen or so years owners of older washers are pretty much told same thing "machine is old and obsolete, we don't have parts......" This and or finding a tech who knows his way around these old machines is becoming more and more rare.

Main thing of course with these older washers is that the main things likely to need repair (motor brushes, suspension springs, etc...) aren't jobs MieleUSA normally will do in homes. So washer must be packed up, sent to NJ, work done, then sent back. All of that Miele will charge for plus parts and labor. For all but the most loyal owner of an older Miele washer costs are just too dear for putting into an "old" washing machine.

On another note older ASKO units once were a common sight for resale, but they've pretty much dropped off as well. More recent offerings, yes those you can find.

Creda probably sold lowest amount of units, and that reflects in how rarely they pop-up.

 

[sudsmaster]

Yeah, at least one of my W1065's were nearly given away by new homeowners who didn't seem to appreciate them. Probably came with the home. I didn't ask, but figured they wanted something bigger, or more modern, or both.

 

[launderess]

This is exactly how my W1070 sounds when spinning. Guess it is normal and one just didn't notice....

 

[foraloysius]

Well, in the comments it says that the shock absorbers and the bearings are faulty. My W715 sounded like that too. It still kept working for a while, but when I had to move, I had it taken away.

 

[launderess]

Know shocks aren't bad on my washer as they were recently replaced. Yes, there was a thread about that, *LOL*

Rear bearings seem fine. There isn't any unusual play with tubs (have tried all the standard tests). It is certainly coming from motor area as noticed when had full front open recently to install new programmer/timer.

When had washer opened took a look at insides of back and sides of washer From what one could see things were clean as a whistle. No signs of rust or water being slung by bearing seals having gone or going.

Ages ago now when had that excellent independent Miele service man out on another matter, he said motor sounds were normal. Wanted to get him to look at the brushes, but the man wasn't taking that bait.

At this point one is going to let sleeping dogs lie as it were. Am in no mood to open up washer yet again, and certainly not ready to wrestle that huge heavy cast iron motor out of washer. Thing is only used very rarely, not even once per week on average as have the two AEG washers that prefer for everyday laundry.

 

[launderess]

It is to laugh!

Clearing out tons of old emails came across receipt from MieleUSA service from back in 2012. Had them out to look at my W1070 due to "whining" noise.

Tech noted. "Check unit and found motor was winning noise. Unit will not go into high speed. I was going to replace the brushes
but the motor connector and wires look very brittle. Will send to supervisor".

Several days later same tech returned to make further repairs and noted: " Check unit with wet clothing during spin cycle two time and unit is not making noise."

This was back in 2012, and even did a thread about Miele along with comment regarding "brittle wiring...".

So washer has been making this sound for sometime now. Interestingly have made a few trips to local laundromat (things too huge for any of my washers like coverlets), and they have a few SQ commercial washers that make same exact sort of noise when spinning. They've done so for years now and it doesn't seem as if owners are bothered about having someone in to fix.