Miele 3033 or top-end Electrolux or Samsung

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dougpark714

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Oct 19, 2011
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We are in the market for new washer/dryers for our 1st level and 2nd level laundry rooms. We were lured by the size and speed of the new Electrolux Wavetouch washer with it's 14 min quick cycle and second floor vibration guarantee. The Samsung has similar specs with VRT plus vibration reduction. The Samsung is highly rated by consumer reports.

How do these units rate to the Miele 3033? I understand the 3033 is smaller in capacity but our bigger concern is the long cycle time which is 60 min or longer. Surprisingly, price is similar -- Electrolux and Samsung are ~$1700 for the washers.

What is the run time of the Miele 3033 -- especially the express cycle.
Does the unit vibrate a lot -- we're concerned about it on the second floor. But we can reinforce the room if necessary since it's new construction.
Is the smaller capacity an issue for a larger family and bulky items such as king duvet cover?
 
I have a Miele Touchtronic and it has a quick cycle (30 minutes)that has a wash and two rinses. I also have an LG (IN RED!!) I got brand new and it too has a quick cycle (35 minutes) that also has a wash(you can increase the wash time if need be)and two rinses. They both do a great job in that short a time and are the more common cycles I use. I also use the rinse and spin on my Miele which gives two deep, deep rinses in 20 minutes. I throw the detergent cap in and fill the fab soft disp. that gives me a 4 minute quick wash and a 4 minute deep rinse then a full 1400 rpm spin.I use that for towels and lightly soiled clothes like a dress shirt.I also HAD a Frigidaire Affinity with a quick wash and it too (like the Electrolux, it's twin) has a nice one but gives 3 full rinses instead of one or two.My Miele is my favorite.Fun to watch and gets my clothes real clean and well spun out.I'm still trying to get the interior light to stay on throughout the cycle.The F's and the E'luxes have a 3 minute time on their interior lights.
 
Price Difference

If the pricing was about the same on all three, I would vote for the Miele 3033 ahead of the others. As long as you are okay with the smaller capacity.

Malcolm
 
I don't understand why you are comparing the W3033 (small capacity) to the super large Electrolux? Why not instead compare the Miele W4842, which is much larger? I think that is a far better machine than anything made by Electrolux, plus it has a 4.0 cuft capacity. Both the W4842 and W3033 are 110v machines. Neither can heat the water over 158F. The W3033 costs more than the W4842. It's a no-brainer to opt for the W4842.
 
W3033 vs. W4842

I was led to believe by my local Miele dealership that the w30XX was built to the higher quality of the European machines and the w48XX machines were cheapened to better appeal to the American market. If capacity was a non-issue, the smaller machines were better built and the wiser choice.

Malcolm
 
My opinion

I considered the Miele W4842 myself. One of the local appliance shops here had a floor model demo about a year old, but they had to sell them with the pedestals. Both the washer and dryer would have been $4000 in Canadian funds. (Ouch!)

Keep in mind that the Miele W4842 has been discontinued and replaced with the IntelliQ 200. I think they're exactly the same machine, except the newer one has a black control panel, while the older one had a white one.

I purchased a Huebsch ZFN50R (aka Speed Queen AFN50R) because I wanted something with a steel outer tub, (Most are plastic) had stainless steel vanes in the tub (Most are plastic) and was designed for light commercial use instead of domestic use. I kind of figured that I didn't really need all of the extra cycles the Miele offered and it was a bit cheaper.

I looked at all of the different brands of front loaders out there and wanted something with decent capacity but also had the high quality of European machines.

The Miele IntelliQ 100 sells for $2049 in Canada, while the Huebsch ZFN50R sold for $1800. It seemed to me like spending $249 less to obtain a better quality washer was worth it. The only downside is that the Huebsch has a 3.3 cu.ft drum while the Miele has a 4.0 cu.ft drum. Not to mention it has less cycles.

Apparently, here's what I found by doing some Googling:
Capacity in Cubic Feet = Capacity in Kilograms / 3.5
Using this formula:
5.5 Kg (12 lbs) washers have a 1.57 cu.ft tub capacity.
The 4.0 cu.ft capacity of the Miele IntelliQ 100/200's would make it a 14 Kg washer. (30.8 Lbs)
The Huebsch / SQ would be a 11.55 Kg (25.4 Lbs) washer.

That sounds about right to me..

http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/laundry/msg1219145526745.html?9
 
The W4842 comes out of Miele's commercial washer plant in the Czech Republic. It's the same assembly line that produces $10,000 machines. Some equate the W4842's fiberglass outer drum with "lower quality", however it is a much better heat insulator than stainless steel which is why you will find fiberglass outer drums predominantly on 110v machines. You need a better insulator to help limit heat loss when a lower wattage heater is being utilized. In this respect, the W3033 shares the same heater and wattage limitations as its bigger cousin, so no bonus there. It's stainless outer drum will result in better heat conductivity and higher heat losses during washing.

You simply cannot compare Electrolux to anything Miele in terms of quality. You just can't. Electrolux is crap. Check out the opinions on Garden Web and I think you'll agree.

INTELLI-Q IS FOR CANADIAN MARKET ONLY! These machines are identical in function to the W4842 in the USA, with minor cosmetic changes. These machines are NOT available in the USA and the W4842 is still the current model. The Intelli-Q 200 is Canada's version of the W4842. It is functionally identical in every way, down to the annual energy consumption, number of cycles, types of cycles, etc.
 
Correction

Thanks for the input Azero.

My guess is that the IntelliQ models just have French labeling on the keys. Not sure why they just don't sell the same model.

I saw a youtube video of someone showing the inside of their W4842 and the outer drum looked like it was made of plastic to me. Maybe it is fiberglass? In the video I've linked you'll notice a few things:

- Springs holding the outer tub in place. Where are the shock absorbers?
- Outer tub looks like plastic to me, not fiberglass. Opinions?
- Notice also the paddles in the tub are plastic with metal on top, as opposed to being completely metal and integrated into the tub.

Where I live anyway, the salesperson at the local appliance shop mentioned that there are far more repair shops who can repair a Huebsch / SQ and parts are cheaper and considerably easier to obtain. Alliance Laundry Systems, who makes Huebsch and SQ is based out of Ripon, WI, while Miele would probably ship parts over from Europe if they weren't in the Edmonton, Alberta warehouse.

The youtube video I attached made up my mind fairly quickly.

 
Heat Loss With Miele Washers With SS Tubs

Am here to tell you that once our Miele washer reaches the set temp the heater shuts off and rarely kicks in again, even on long "normal" cycles.

The only time one has found this not to be true is when either one has stopped the machine (such as for runnng out on an errand), or a long soak cycle. In the first case the heater *may* kick on again depending upon how long it was sat sitting (and even there have found not very often), and the latter still more of the same.
 
2nd floor...

Dougpark,

I would seriously consider adding a subfloor and somehow isolating the laundry area from any joists running through horizontal support beams. I have had a Miele W1926 in the 2nd floor laundry of my home for years. The machine is an excellent performer, but I must be honest... when it spins, the entire floor vibrates. I intend to somehow resolve that in a remodel, but if I were building anew, I would find some way to isolate the laundry area so that you don't have to ever worry about the vibration issue.
 
We were considering the 4K series but got a bit concerned from the various reviews. Also, it's strange that Miele only sells this model in the US. In the rest of world, they get the larger supertronic 5000 series which has steam, auto detergent dispenser, etc.
 
Thanks, this is very helpful. This 2nd floor vibration issue was leading us to the electrolux and samsung units which are suppose to be more balanced and quieter during the max spin cycle.

I agree the size between the 3033 and electrolux/samsung are totally different.

I wonder if pouring concrete base on the 2nd floor laundry area and reinforcing it will be enough to isolate the vibration. Miele recommends a certain subfloor thickness

"I would seriously consider adding a subfloor and somehow isolating the laundry area from any joists running through horizontal support beams. I have had a Miele W1926 in the 2nd floor laundry of my home for years. The machine is an excellent performer, but I must be honest... when it spins, the entire floor vibrates. I intend to somehow resolve that in a remodel, but if I were building anew, I would find some way to isolate the laundry area so that you don't have to ever worry about the vibration issue. "
 
Concrete on top of a thick subfloor...

sounds like a good idea to me. If the budget allows, I would go for a larger capacity Miele. You will have good performance for years and years, so cost averaging may make it worth it in the long run. Don't forget a floor drain, especially if you put in a concrete pad. Good luck, let us know how it turns out.
John.
 
The supertronic 5000 has the same capacity as the W4842 - 8 kg. Not true that it has a larger capacity. The plastic paddles another member saw were from the Miele dryer, NOT from the washer. The tub has springs on top and shock absorbers underneath (not shown in the video you cited). The W3033 has the same suspension system, albeit for a smaller drum. The suspension of both the W3033 and W4842 is inferior to that of Asko or many cheaper brands. Miele has put very little effort into designing the suspension system in these two machines compared with their competition - that is the only thing that is lacking, in my opinion.

If a quiet spin is important to you, don't even consider the W3033 or W48XX series. You will not be happy.
 
Thx, yes, noise is an important factor for us. We may need to also consider Asko -- 70db at full spin. Asko also seems more stable. But I doubt Asko is as reliable as Miele.
 
Get the Samsung!

Doug,

I had a 2010 Electrolux I-touch washer for a month, and sent it back! I HATED IT! Don't let the capacity claim fool you, because my beautiful Samsung WA448AAW I got a swap for from my dealer, holds just as much. Just don't expect to "wash 19 pairs of jeans" in any machine-that will severely overload any home washer. I have washed 10 pair of jeans in the Samsung on "Towels" cycle, with excellent results-that would be the max. My Electrolux took forever to balance many loads, therefore skipping spins and rinse effectiveness. The machine even sometimes refused to do intermittent spin and also stopped the final spin cycle just as it came to top speed! It also is a belt-drive, which is not as good as direct-drive. The big Miele's are overrated-they make quite a bit of vibration during spin! The design is awkwardly funky, too. Plus, Speed Queen front-loaders just do not match the Samsung's quality! If you want a commercial-quality machine, then buy one!(: I would now rather go back to a good Kenmore top-loader.

Jason
 
Have not been here in a long time but seen this post. Do not buy samsung I have had one that was under ge name. I say had not even 2 years old and it has been sent to the dump.

This washer was fixed once under warranty worked fine but then the same thing happen aging. Cost to fix hold your hat $1279.97 price of washer around $800.00.

I now am washer shopping myself but think I will stick to a twin tub over another front loader. I am at the point if it cost more to fix it then to buy it I will buy cheap from now on.

This is the washer I had will bever buy GE aging they suck. There cs was not nice told me to fix it or buy a new unit would not help at all with this washer..

http://www.ajmadison.com/cgi-bin/ajmadison/WCVH4800KWW.html
 
But I doubt Asko is as reliable as Miele.

That is a fair comment, but subject to change at the moment.

 

The for-runner to the ASKO name was ASEA Cylinda (from 1978) and ASKO is still sold under the Cylinda name in Sweden. ASEA machines were about as close to Miele reliability as you could care to find and then, the firm was sold to ASKO in 1988 and then to Antonio Merloni in Italy in 2000. Quality did drop and has taken an age to start to climb back.

 

Now, ASKO was sold to Gorenje in July 2010.

 

Gorenje make significiantly better quality appliances to start with when compared to anything Antonio Merloni have made and I would fully expect ASKO to become Gorenje's international flagship brand with a return to overall quality similar to Miele. In fact, I'd suggest that if you look at a 5 year old ASKO and a new one, you'll see the difference straight away.

 

Let's not forget that reliability is not generally based on current models, but experiences that people have had with machines that can be quite aged and if a brand has been sold, then you can't rely on anything you've read....what you can rely on here is that ASKO's new owner makes better appliances than it's former owner....just about any European on here will confirm it....and Gorenje will not want it's reputation tarnished by poor quality.
 
Belt Drive vs. Direct Drive FL's....

As Jsneaker commented above, he feels a direct drive front loader is "better" then a belt driven one. I have to disagree with this. I think if some kind of drive system failure were to occur, a belt driven system would be much easier to work on. Am I wrong?

Aaron
 
Asko was one of the brands I was considering when I was going to buy a new washer. I was considering the W6903, but the washer itself requires 220 volts. (@ 60 hz!) Fortunately, the dryer has a power supply included for the washer, so you have to get them as a matching set. (At least, this is what I read on the Asko website.)

I think that any washer with a 2000 RPM spin cycle probably is built to last, provided that you don't use that spin speed very frequently and use common sense. :) I've heard they use Volvo Semi Truck bearings, which is encouraging.

There were three things that put me off to buying one. The first was price. The second was the capacity and lastly, the supportability. I was concerned about having to wait a month (or two?) or so to get parts if it ever broke down.

I'm quite happy with my Huebsch, but I don't think it would be suitable for your second floor situation unless you put down a concrete floor. If you want quiet, you'd almost be better off with a top loader, provided that you wouldn't mind the increased water consumption.

http://www.askousa.com/laundry/family_size_laundry/washer-w6903/
 
It's quite interesting the differences that countries have with appliance reliability and support.

 

My mother had her ASEA (ASKO fore runner) from 1989 until 2009 - 20 years and ASEA as a brand had been available on our market for several years before that. During that time the machine had 2 service calls. One was to sort out the door latch as it become disconnected and another was for a timer problem as it wasn't advancing smoothly.

 

Neither had caused the machine to stop and only the timer had caused any form of delay. I've just been told 'about a week' on the phone. It would seem our spares and servicing is faster.

 

The only thing that prevented her buying another was money. I bought the ASEA for her and now that they've both retired, they couldn't justify $1400, which, I may add was only a fraction more than I paid 20 years earlier.

 

 
 
Much probably as to do with the USA's *backwards" power system that delivers mainly 120v/60amps (with exceptions) versus the standard 220v/50amps found all over Europe and elsewhere. This means Miele has to modify units going to the US market.
 
Power is probably part of it...

....but I'm sure that there are other factors too. Price will certainly be one of them. In Australia, noting that our dollar is actually worth more than the USD at the moment, the W5000 Supertronic is AUD$5000....or basically double the numeric value that it is retailed for in the UK.
 
Ow Ow Ow

Currently, $5,000 AUD (Australian) is $5,237.23 CDN (Canadian)

OW OW OW

That's a downright crazy amount of money to spend on a washer. The Miele W4842 runs just a little over $2500 CDN here.

Launderess, to correct you.. European power is 220 volts, 15 amps, 50 Hertz. (3300 watts) .. North American Power is 117 volts, 15 amps, 60 Hertz. (1755 watts) I don't really consider North American Power to be "Backwards", but it is safer.

One reason why European washers simply can't work in the US is because the heaters consume too much power for a typical US power circuit.

Dougpark, if you are worried about vibration and noise, it would be better to consider either a top loader, which won't vibrate as much as a front loader, or to consider a smaller capacity front loader, which won't vibrate as much as a large capacity front loader.

IMHO, I would agree with the other members on this forum that Miele makes some of the highest quality machines on the market, but you'll also pay for it as well. The old saying goes, "You get what you pay for."

As a FYI, Miele would have been my second choice over Huebsch, with the W4842, but I wasn't prepared to drop $4k on a washer/dryer set (Those were demo models!) and the Huebsch washer/dryer set was nearly $1500 cheaper for the same quality.
 

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