Maytag 'Commercial' MVWP575GW Water use / long term issues

[speedqueen]

There is quite a big difference between being service friendly and rarely needing service.

Whirlpool has always built products that are service friendly(yes even the old belt drives, just compare them to a SQ solid tub and tell me which you'd rather work on), however these new machines aren't build well at all. Even the "commercial" models are rather flimsy, they will *need* far more service than a Speed Queen will and far earlier. Parts cost means little unless one is doing the work themselves or there is an extra ordinary difference in cost between two parts from make to make. If a repair is to be done, the bulk of the cost will be the service call charge itself and or labor. If you have a VMW based machine, whatever ease you have in getting cheap parts will be negated by the need to have them installed more frequently.

You seem to get very concerned about the electronics in the TC5, but not so about the electronics in the MVWP575. Speed Queen has used almost the same control system in commercial coin-op machines for 30 years, they interface the motor and fill solenoids with relays, very simple technology, compared to the motor reversing and sensing systems employed in the Maytag, likely controlled by power transistors of some sort.

 

[pinkpower4]

Speedqueen, in a nutshell...

Please go back and read my posts.

The SpeedQueen TC5 would be my overall first choice. I do think it will last longer with fewer repairs (probably just a belt) than the Maytag 575. I think it is possible it will last 25 years for some folks, but I believe the average family will get 15 or maybe 20 years out of it before it needs MAJOR repairs. I have said that several times. There is no other top load on the market that i think will last this long as the SQ.

I think it is still probably a question of how long the transmission, bearings/seals, and control boards will last that will determine that on either machine. Most folks cannot replace the transmission and bearings/seals themselves. Not only do they pay more for the part, but they have to pay labor for someone to install it. The consumer can replace the control board, but the cost of it to the consumer is significant when compared to the cost of the machine and the TC5 has TWO. If you read the repair boards, you will see they are not without some issues with the control boards and other parts that break. This happens with all models (and you will see a lot more in the cheaper big box store ones!). I have also said, I haven't seen enough in regard to the TC5 models to concern me...yet. This model has only been out since May 2019? It does not appear to be widespread. I also think the SQ control boards will last longer.

The parts you are talking about in the MT575, I can replace myself. The actuator is also the reason this washer is not an agitub design. I'll take that tradeoff any day all day. They aren't that much.

Getting parts later for the TC5 may be a concern. It appears to be a time-limited model. The MT575 shares its parts with other models made for commercial use. It may cost more down the road to maintain, but it does look more likely I can keep this one going if i want to. Most of you on this board have access to connections, parts for cost, have the skills to repair themselves, etc. Not everyone does.

The examples I've seen of the MT failing seem to be where it was used for commercial use. Despite its name, it's not commercial build quality. I would not recommend it for a vet's office.
However, it built better than any other top load in the big box stores (SQ is NOT sold there). I think consumers can expect to see at least ten years out of this machine; I think some may see 15. It's not the piece of junk SQ focused fans make it out to be.

I don't think the TC5 will be a family heirloom that will be passed down from generation to generation and get more than five times the life that even the manufacturer has claimed. Even the older ones were not. I think this is misleading.

Why does SQ only offer a three-year warranty? If they are THAT much better, then offer a warranty that reflects that on the TC5 model. The piece of junk everyone makes it out to be comes with a FIVE year parts and labor. Why did SQ feel the need to take on a shop owner in regard to their TR series review? No one else has, and this person is unbiased in whatever brand I've seen him review. If their product, the TR series, was that good there was no need to defend it and threaten action against one shop owner. He is just one shop owner. If his claims were bogus, people would quickly figure that out for themselves. They aren't bogus, and that's why we have the TC5 today. It cleans work uniforms, kid wear, pet stuff, outdoor clothing, etc. better. For those who want premium clean with it, use the delicate cycle. It was a poorly thought out decision on SQ by management and leadership that were reactive instead of proactive. Just because it's legal, doesn't mean it is the right decision.

I do think the MT575 is worth the extra cost when compared to the budget models that have the dual agitator sold under different names (Amana, Roper, Conservator, etc.) because of the upgraded parts and FIVE year parts and labor warranty. I do think it is the second best overall top load on the market today, but I think it's the it's number one when it comes to cleaning performance.

It may use a little more water than the SQ, but it also has a slightly bigger tub capacity.

I agree there is a gap between the SQ models and the rest of the top loads with this MT575 seeming to fall somewhere in between for the mid-level price range and their budget models with dual agitator for the low-price range. Why no manufacturer has stepped up to seize that opportunity remains a mystery to me.

Bottom line. It's a Toyota family car versus a Ford. Both will get you where you are going. In the long run, SQ will be a better value for the dollar, but that doesn't mean Ford won't be a good value for the dollar. THIS Ford.

 

[speedqueen]

Just for the record, I want to post that despite my name here on this forum, I'm no Speed Queen fan boy. My name is in reference to my dream machine which I now own, a 1957 model A19, pictured below.

Now to talk longevity, I will agree that the modern TC Speed Queens will not be family heirloom, however in most service I think they will go a couple decades, but they're no center dial Maytag, that's for sure, and my old '57 makes both the 575 and the TC5 look like cheap Shark vacuums quality wise. But I must say it is the second least engineered device I own second to my 1958 Wheel Horse garden tractor which I believe the design process involved too much angle iron and a welder. It is a nightmare to work on and pull the motor/fluid drive assembly out, and the pot metal pumps aren't the least bit confidence inspiring.

Now to talk modern Speed Queen's downsides, they go through more belts than an old Whirlpool or the old solid tubs did(mine had it's original belts until a few months ago), however they are much improved compared to the Raytheon era. Transmissions are passable, far better than anything else on the market, but again they aren't like the solid tub models, the old Whirlpools(BD or DD) or Maytags. I do believe that surprisingly the electronic controlled models have had more reliability than the old timers could manage.

To sum up, they aren't the best ever made, but the LAST built anywhere close to how they are. The pinnacle of engineering in this field of design were the Maytags from the 1960s-2006 and the 1982-2010 Whirlpool direct drives.

I agree, the modern Maytag is a good machine for those who won't really use it that much, it offers a good value for money, but frankly so does the TC5. When one considers what household goods used to cost back when everything was like my 1957, it's amazing anything remotely comparable can be built for as cheaply as it is. Mine cost $350 in 1957 which is, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics equivalent to $3,273.20 today.

 

[supersurgilator]

I looked at the Maytag as well when it first came out. Its a nice machine, but I ended up getting a TC5000 last October. II have absolutely NO regrets at all for choosing this machine. I also wanted quality and something that will last a long time and I feel I got that with the SQ. Washing performance is great, and I like that it is a true old school washer. My one main concern about the Maytag is the hanging suspension system that modern toploaders use. I just don't trust it and feel it is cheap and could break causing the basket to go flying. The SQ has a very nice smooth spin.
I wouldn't really be concerned about finding parts for the TC5000 either since they still make the commercial on premise model, as well as coin op models that are very similar to this. Belts are about the only thing I really hear about needing to be replaced on these.