Miele Hydromatic W698

Automatic Washer - The world's coolest Washing Machines, Dryers and Dishwashers

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Hydromatic Mondia W698

Hi Chris,
99 AUD ..... go for it !!

It's round 20 years old, but it's the first serie having variable tumble speed. Tumbles start 55 rpm / 6 sec to clean properly,slow down to 40 rpm / 6 sec, then pause 3 sec, reverse.

- The "gentle action" key reduces tumbling cadence from (6+6)/3 to 6/9

- the "delicate" key raises water level to max even in prewash/wash

- you can also reduce spin speed from 1100 to 700 rpm
some vids here :

 
Go for it

Hi Chris,

These early ones do a great job on towels. Even with line drying the pile comes out very fluffy compared to a modern FL. Does anyone know if this is one of the models that doesnt spin between all rinses? Is it still a 5 rinse machine?

I've got a W423 from 1977 and stuff comes out of it soft, but its hard to get rid of the soap foam, particularily with soft water. It offers a spin Burst after 3 and longer spin after 4 with the final spin after rinse 5. There is no spin between wash and rinse 1, rinse 1 and rinse 2 and rinse 2 and rinse 3, no wonder it uses 120L for 4.5kg

Run it through a couple of spins and check the bearings are intact. I've collected a few of the first electronic model after this one and all of them have had bad bearings. Its not always apparent on the first spin.

These early ones seem to be great workhorses, they just miss the flexibility of the models before that each had 3 knobs. The two important things with these are 1) dont try and skip a rinse, the machine will sudslock badly if you try and spin without the dillution rinses and 2) make sure you turn the power off before you try and adjust the program knob. I forgot, did it once and it cost $400 for a new timer.
 
Well...

....I've sent a message to confirm that it is running fine and will ask about the bearings too on spin....

Just out of interest, what would it cost to replace bearings on one of these?
 
Found it on the catalogue year 1990

- 3 rinses with interim spins (guess also has a hidden switch in the detergent drawer to engage a 4th rinse). Tater level in accordance with load size and adsorbance

- the eco ball-valve between tub and drain pump. No detergent wasted, but also lower water consumption : the lint filter is filled with water coming from previous fill

- consumption data : 75 litres, 2.0 Kwh, 1h 59min on boilwash 95°C

Nathan, also my W780 rinses as your W423, same thoughts.
Actually the W844 rinses better with same levels but less water (water+ engaged, but ballvalve make difference) because of the interim spins.
 
Miele Bearing Replacement

Unit is similar to my W1070, and am here to tell you bearing replacement can be done, but Miele will charge an arm and leg (if they will do it at all where you are), or one has to have the proper equipment to do it one's self.

Basically, IIRC the job requires a winch to lift the drums out of the unit (all that cast iron is heavy).

Miele will charge upwards of $1500, plus parts and labour here to to the job, but one got the impression it was rather a passive agressive affair. Miele USA techs and much of the office staff one speaks with are keen to push one to purchase a new model, rather than put good money into these "old" machines.

One senior man at Miele was stunned at my willingness to have my 1070 repaired, and said while they *would* do major repair work on my machine (such as change the motor and or bearings), why would I want to do such a thing when the cost would equal half or more of a new unit. Told him that I preferred the older models and was promptly told off for "wasting water".

Either way, there is a healthy Miele DIY in Europe and UK. Parts can be had off the shelf unlike the USA where one has to order them directly from Miele.
 
I spoke...

...to one of the service people in Canberra today about possible bearing replacement costs...just as a matter of interest. He is the chap that used to service my mothers ASEA and advised:

'...I wouldn't bother on a machine that age. The labour costs will be v.high and there is always the potential for other parts to start failing too purely through age and wear. My advise to anyone contemplating a major repair on an old machine, regardless of the initial quality of that machine, would be to literally use it until it breaks rather than try and keep it in A1 condition'

Given that a base Miele machine here is AUD$1700 (which is about USD$1800), I can't fault his logic...washing machine repairers charge a fortune for hourly rate....and a new machine, whilst unlikely to go the distance of the old, is still a better bet....

Now, having said that, here is the reply from the owner

'Hi Chris, sorry for the delay in replying. I have checked the door seal, it's very clean and I've wiped a white cloth all the way around where I can't easily see and there is definitely no mould present or any smell of such. We only stopped using the machine a few weeks ago and it's sitting in our hallway inside the house. All cycles definitely work, I used all of them equally for a variety of washing styles. There is no noise with spinning. It's a great machine, I couldn't believe my husband bought another one. I didn't think we needed it! I'm sure you'd get many years out of this. You're welcome to come and have a look at our place any time.'

Sounds a deal to me!
 
agree

maybe she's lying .... but, also she may be sincere. After all, Nathan's W423 is almost 20 year older than this W698 and it is still working.
 

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