Launderess, my modern Miele WXR 860 still does the procedure of draining partially, adding some cold water, and repeating until the wash is cooler. It then proceeds to the normal rinsing procedure. I have only observed the behavior on the Delicates (synthetics) cycle at 60C but it may be present on other cycle and I haven’t discovered it yet. I believe it is to prevent thermal shock creasing. This is separate from the Suds Cooling setting that can be activated to prevent scalding by the draining wash water if the machine drains into a sink.
My Miele does adapt the amount of water it uses in the rinses but it seems to be based on load weight and the water level sensor. Some cycles, especially the Baby Cottons cycle, will have a significantly higher rinse level if the washer is fully loaded. Using the Add Laundry function seems to default the machine to the maximum water and time settings for the cycle for the remainder of the load, presumably because it can’t load sense once clothes are already wetted. Of course options such as soiling level, Water Plus, and stains options (some of which activate Water Plus) affect the rinse levels as well.
One mystery I have yet to solve is why the Table Linens / Drapes cycle adds about half the rinse water for a given rinse, tumbles for a few minutes, and then adds the remaining rinse water and tumbles more before proceeding to the interim or final spin. I’m not sure what purpose this divided addition serves. While I rarely have occasion to wash tables linens or drapes, the cycle delivers superb results with sheets and with microfiber cleaning towels and does so in a very reasonable amount of time. It also, despite what the manual incorrectly states, has three rinses standard all with good interim spins.