Miele comes home

[Hometechdoc]

checked with my sources

The 6K and 5K in 220v are being discontinued. There will be a 5.5K replacing them in 120v. Dryer is still 220v. There will still be a 5K available in the decor door model for undercoutner installation since it is only 24 inches deep. It is my understanding that they will still be available in stainless steel - this is new to me. I was told previously that stainless was being discontinued. I am gled to see the SS remain as I think it make s prettu sharp and unique machine.

 

[peteski50]

Miele

Is the 120 volt comming to America? Is it going to run the same way the 220 volt is run?
Peter

 

[launderess]

*Sigh* How The Mighty Have Fallen

Had heard rumours also that Miele was going to cease selling some if not all of it's 220v washing machines in the United States in favour of 120v; the uber-sized line would come first then replacements for the smaller models. Sad, very sad IMHO, and strongly urge anyone considering a Miele washing machine to nab a 1900 or even 1200 series while they still can.

Miele obviously has given up the ghost on trying to hold the truly upscale end of the laundry appliance line, while remaining 220v only, and going towards a larger market share by removing the one major complaint many Amercian consumers had regarding their laundry appliances, the need for "special" 220v wiring.

Reviews of the new 4*** line have been mixed, with some loving the units, others bemoaning lack of many user controled functions. For instance there is some debate as to weather on those machines the heater engages on on all cycles. Miele states it will, even on "Normal", but one woman over on THS got into it with Miele/her dealer because her model did not. It went back and forth until Miele got tired of her whingeing and gave her money back,taking the washer and dryer from her.

Being as all this may, guess Miele figures that since hardly anyone boils much less uses wash temperatures above 140F any more, the requirement for 220v power to superheat water is less if not totally removed. With at least 100F (120F would be better) incoming water, a washer powered on 120v, will heat water to 140F or even 160F, if given enough time. American dishwashers do it all the time, though with less water; but then again these new Miele washers like most all new H-axis washer are not overly generous with wash water either.

Am going to do everything possible to keep my vintage Miele running, and may decide to keep an eye out for a 1918 as well.

L.

 

[appnut]

I'm sorry to see this happen, but my biggest complaint

Is that they're only available in big cities. Forget mid-size middle America!! Humph!! One would hope that Miele hasn't cheapened the upcoming 110v replacements, as well as the current cuber line, so that they still have better quality for longer-lasting units than the other uber size offerings in the market. Brian, you better start looking for those Mieles you want.

 

[Hometechdoc]

New Mieles

I have used the mega mieles in the showroom and they are huge. I find them to perform much like the 5k and 6K models I have had lots of experience with. The 220 compaint is not really a valid one as there is a tandom plug available to plug both the washer and dryer into a junction box that plugs into the 220v dryer recepticle.

We have not noticed any adverse washing performance with the 120v mega units.

Someone commented about Miele abandoning the "high" end. This is not true. Find a large dealer or a showroom and ask to see the "little giant", a 6K professional model or the entire line of professional machines which are being marketed towards the ultra highend. Those not opposed to spending $15,000 - $20,000 on their home laundry. I will bring brochures of all of these to Omaha.

 

[launderess]

Did not say Miele was "abandoning" the high end market, but rather setting the sights to capturing a larger segment of the market, and for that certian things had to change; one of which was the 220v only connection. Does not matter if the dryer plugs into the washing machine if there isn't a 220v connection for the washer to plug into. There are familes and persons in many areas, including New York City, with vast fortunes that for whatever reasons did not or could not have 220v wiring installed for a Miele. Our local Miele dealers and indeed the tech's I've spoken to tell the same story. Some of the most exclusive and pricest real estate in the world in on Manhattan's Uppper East Side, and in particular pre-war buildings. Well those pre-war apartments were not wired for half the electric usage common today, much less 220v. Even when the apartment can be rewired (which frequently happens when upgraded/renovated), bringing in 220v power to one apartment is not always easy due how the building is wired. It may call for a trip out by Con Edison to bring more power into the building, and THAT is a big deal. Co-op and condo boards often say "no".

Now if one is building "Tara in the Southwest" then, by all means install enough laundry equipment to run a commercial laundry, and the power required as well.

Also did not say performance lags on 120v powered units, as I well know because my vintage Miele runs on both 220v and 120v, and have used both with no problems. From what one has read and understands, many who bought the new 4**** line from Miele wanted things like water heating in all cycles, increased water levels, and other things which the machine does not offer. This is not to say the machine does not clean or perform well as is, just that these persons wanted more. One sad tale of woe and misery is over on THS for God and you to see. Then again there is an equally happy poster there as well.

IIRC most of the complaints seem to be about much of the user controls/settings being taken away and simply pre-programmed into set cycles. These pepole feel Miele went to far the other way from having loads of cycles/choices on say the 1900 series to a pared down system on the 4*** series. Again, if one has access to programming codes and read the manual, there is much that can be altered by the user.

L.

 

[tomturbomatic]

It's not gloat, but gratitude when I say, "I'm glad I have mine." I sorta planned on them outlasting me, but it looks like there is no replacing them now for whatever reason. I am happy for the many people who will now be able to have Miele laundry equipment, but I can't help feeling that a grand day has ended, even though a new one has begun. Thank you, Allen, for the news. Tom

 

[peteski50]

Miele

I would like to get more information about these new Miele's
I have seen the new big units in PC Richard's. I wish they made them in a combo. I would like to see what the new smaller 120 volt units have to offer. I would not want a machine that is to small however. I hope they will still have the same quality that already exists for Miele.
Peter