Miele Vibration FAIL

[sudsmaster]

I find a small chair on wheels by the Miele aids immeasurably in helping to load and unload the washer. I use a small (clean) hamper to transfer the damp laundry from the Miele(s) in the workshop to the Neptune dryer in the main house.

However I don't think it's a simple matter of being equivalent to loading and unloading a dryer.

For these reasons:

1) With a traditional top loader, one can simply invert the laundry hamper over the washer tub, letting the clothes fall in by gravity. This has the added benefit of allowing one to minimize contact with dirty laundry.

2) When transferring the laundry from the traditional top loader to a front loading dryer, again, gravity makes the chore easier. Once the clean, damp laundry is pulled from the top loader, it can simply be tossed from that height into the dryer.

3) With a front loading washer, one must extract the laundry from the horizontal tub. More often than not, the laundry will fall to the floor during the transfer from the washer to the dryer. If the floor is squeaky clean, no problem.

4) The front loader washer to dryer transition can be eased not only by using a small chair, but also by using a small hamper to catch the laundry as it falls out of the washer, and then hoisting the hamper to let gravity assist its transfer to the dryer, without anything hitting the floor.

5) Most front loader washers do tend to spin faster than a traditional top loader. This means that the wash may be more difficult to extract from the front loader washer than it is from a top loader. More modern top loaders spin faster so this may no longer be a big difference. And Miele has a post-spin tumble feature that helps to dislodge laundry that otherwise would be plastered to the drum.

 

[sudsmaster]

the washing smelled of whatever foods were prepared

LOL, watch out, you might inspire Gain to come out with an anchovy scented fabric softener!

For that old timey fragrance.

 

[launderess]

Miele Post Spin Fluffing

Don't quote me on this but seem to recall reading somewhere that newer Miele washers do not always have this feature. Again could be wrong and or have things muddled. Have read so much about Miele and other front loaders these past few weeks in an attempt to sort out one's own problems! *LOL*

 

[launderess]

Frong Loaders And Vibrations

Depending upon what one reads and or who you believe the problem of vibrations can be cause by:

Under loading
Over loading
Improper flooring
Bad and or poor washer design including suspension system
Worn and or failing parts

and so it goes.

Have read comments from UTube posters who have called Miele out because their new or such washers were making odd sounds on spin, that the said techs told them to only load the washer full; that is do not do "partial loads".

Ok, can understand not doing small loads of unmixed items, such as say all small napkings as some machines simply cannot balance them properly. When that happens the stuff usually ends up thrust to one side and creates balance issues. But cannot see not being able to wash say 1-5 pounds of mixed items in a 5kg machine.

Have read many washer techs/pros state also that the death of many front loaders has been the increasing use of final spins >1000 rpms including 1400rpms and such. Apparently such high spin speeds, especially if loads are often not properly balance cause vibrations/shaking that wear a washer down. Proof they offer is that many older washers that spin at 900rpms or less are still happily chugging along.

 

[launderess]

Kippers

Cannot imagine who inflicted the idea of them for breakfast, but they ought to be lined up and shot! *LOL*

The smell of grilled/toasted kippers first thing in the AM is more than flesh and blood (much less stomach) can bear. It sure is one quick way to clear out the place. Then of course the odor lingers for much of the day if not longer. Only way one has found to deal with that is to open all windows and use lots of Airwick. Well there is another way but people kind of get insulted when told to take their kipper fix outside into the back garden! *LOL*

 

[ronhic]

There is a reason we have joints.....

If we can use them, we should.

As for laundry being 'unsanitary' before washing, it may well be when the definition of sanitary is applied...but let's just think about this for a minute.....

Right;

- we wear clothes on the outside....
- we use our hands, and not our mouths to load our washers (well the majority do)
- we can wash our hands post-loading.
- we can wash the floor before washing.

Certainly, if someone has gastro or similar, then there may be concern....but in a country that has access to clean water, generally good hygiene standards and effective waste disposal, these things are the exception rather than the rule.

We don't live in the Victorian/Edwardian era - we've very little to worry about and what we do have certainly out-ranks the sanitation of clothes.

 

[launderess]

Leveling Front Loaders

Over the years have pushed and shoved that Miele washer more times than one cares to think about in attempts to level. Each time though the carpenter's level showed the bubble dead center, every now and then a load would cause the machine to shake. Not move out of place mind you, but shake at the top none the less.

One maddening thing about my Miele and one assumes other models is often during the series of graduated spins before the final ramp up one or more attempts produce a smooth spin. However after the machine quits said spin, ramps down, distributes and begins to ramp up again a load can become unbalanced again. Sometimes one just gets so upset one stops the machine, remove the wash, fluff and put items back into machine, then allow it to spin.

Designers of Miele washers must work under the theory these machines can withstand odd numbers of unbalanced loads. Long as they aren't too severe and or cause the drum to violently bang against the tub one assumes the worst damage is a shortened lifespan.

 

[mikeklondon]

UK~USA

If I had the space I would love my washer/ dryer on a pedestal installed correctly they are brilliant and course no additional vibrations, In care settings ALL machines have to be raised from the floor to prevent staff bending under the moving and handling reg. As for having a washer in a kitchen I would go to any length to avoid it if possible personally I do want to be loading the washer next to the cooker and fridge and work tops, Have you ever seen how many skin cells dust mites and dander come of just one pair of socks when you shake them out to load, just how much dust is in a load of bedding let alone a dog bed. I’m not sure of my facts on this but I’m sure others would know but is it not against the building regs in most countries to but a washer in a Kitchen? I can understand how it came about in the days of the twin tub to have the washer next to the kitchen sink, but now days you can install a washer in nearly any space, When I lived in central London where space was very limited I put the washer in the spare bedroom. I made a cover for it I anyone stayed and put a lamp on top. I do so agree about the kippers

 

[mikeklondon]

Traveling Miele's

Malcolm I have lost count of the number of washers I have put in both in care homes ( always on a plinth) and my own and never ever had one move so I would be confident that its just a case of the poor set up. Have a good holiday and put it right in the new year. By the way NEVER bolt the plinth to the floor it can bring the celling and or walls in older building down around you. If the machine walks its telling you there is something wrong

 

[mikeklondon]

Leveling and spinning

Many years ago i had a motor-home that self leveled at the push of a button could this system work on a washer? I do agree with Launderess that Miele's can be most annoying when they find a perfect balance for a load then to pause and off balance the load and to process of re-balancing starts all over again. if its a load like a dog bed that I know with be a problem I often yank it out and put it in a spinner

 

[launderess]

Leveling A Miele

Well spent a good part of yesterday evening (yet again) leveling the Miele washer and quite honestly am getting fed up! *LOL*

We had some shaking but thought it was due to whatever problems we're having with the knocking sounds during spin (see other thread), but everyone going on about leveling and such sent us on a tear.

One of the back legs was frozen in place and wouldn't you know the machine read "level" via the spirit level when suspended on "three legs"; this meant one had only to lower said leg to firmly reach the floor and that should have been that. Not a bit of it.

Nearly an hour of twisting, wrenching and a burst or two of WD-40 couldn't budge the thing. Finally was able to loosen and twist the lock nut and then the bolt. So here's me twisting that darn bolt left and right for nearly 30 minutes when it dawned upon me, the threads must be stripped as that thing wasn't moving up or down much. Was going to swap it out with one of the good ones from the front and order a replacement, but that just was not going to happen.

In the end simply tightened the lock nut against the machine and left the bolt as "low" as one thought it would shift. To compensate the right front leg had to be raised but in the end machine read "level" more or less. Think the bubble was slightly to the right (close to the line) but the thing was firmly on four feet and that was enough for Moi last night.

Since turning the machine upside down to gain better traction for removing the offending bolt isn't possible things will have to remain this way for now. If time before we leave for Christmas Eve dinner will do a quick load to see if the machine still shakes a bit on spinning.

@MikeLondon:

Love my spin dryer for loads that Miele cannot or will not balance/spin without fussing. Indeed often when doing smallish loads of say all napkins that the Miele cannot often seem to balance without throwing the lot against one side of the tub just take the lot and bung them into the spinner. For now also have the Whirlpool portable that one uses as an "extractor" as well. The tub is larger than the spin dryer and spins slower so it is good for things one does not want too badly creased.

 

[toggleswitch]

"Just what aren't the Germans getting about the USA market?"

Probably the fact that the USA is a huge market and we are not about to culturally bow-down and do things the German way (or any other "foreign" way) just because others think we should or like their own way better.

REAL major change takes a generation or two.

 

[mikeklondon]

Miele

Its not just the US market, Miele are not good at listening to anyone
We are in the middle of planning a refit at the moment and have had Miele in all our homes for the last 40 years but I’m not sure that we will this time they need to wake up or they will loss my market to and that’s nearly as big as the US

 

[launderess]

Miele Has Been In The USA For At Least Two Generations

However their manner has only grown more arrogant IMHO, not less.

Basically long as whatever unit is working and doing it's intended purpose you're fine. It is often having to come into contact with MieleUSA's sales/service divisions that cause all the trouble.

IMHO Miele is also slightly misleading when they give lifespans of their appliances. Yes their washers are supposedly built to last "20 years" but if a major component fails (motherboard, rear bearings, motor, etc...) or sometimes even a small one to the point the unit becomes unoperable then all bets are off.

Once the rather short warranty period is over a customer is on the hook for Miele's *very* dear call out and parts charges. You read all over the Internet of complaints by the scores of washers being dumped barely ten years old because of say a motherboard or motor problem. Miele will want >$500 usually for either plus labour, for that money you can usually purcahse a new machine.

One of Miele's newest tricks is to send a tech with his fancy computer to one's home and download the history of use and recorded error codes/faults. Been using too frothy detergent too often? Over loading too often? Well your washing machine will become a tattle-tale to Mama Miele. So don't be surprised if they come back with 'your machine's problems are due to bad treatment by *you* thus we aren't liable...".

It really is a shame we on this side of the pond do not have access to more TOL EU laundry appliances such as V-Zug. Maybe that would force Miele to adopt a more friendly tone.

 

[hoover1100]

Far as I can tell...

The problem is not strictly with the machines, or with miele as a company, rather with their status in the US market.

If your average repairman the likes of which would be more than capable of repairing a whirlpool, kenmore, GE, Frigidare etc could work on a miele equally as easily as they can here, then you simply wouldn't need to deal with miele directly. The pricing and lack of enthusiasm to repair a unit is what you would get if you went directly to the manufacturer of almost any appliance, because it simply isn't worth their time. As it is these machines are a niche purchase over there, so most repairmen I'd imagine have never seen one, let alone would your local appliance repair shop stock the parts!

It's much the same as trying to buy parts or get repairs done on a filter queen vacuum in the uk. They are sold here, but I had to order parts from America at a highly inflated cost for the one I got on eBay, I never managed to acquire all the parts I needed so gave up in the end! However our American cousins speak very highly of them!

It also helps that the most basic Miele washers come with a 5 year parts and labour guarantee as standard, and the mid-high end models a free 10 year parts and labour guarantee!

Matt

 

[launderess]

Miele Warranty

It is a mystery to us all here on this side of the pond why Miele suddenly switched to a puny one year warranty. That has turned allot of persons away from their appliances. I mean if one is spending >2000 USD for a washing machine that supposedly is the Mercedes Benz of it's class why not back it up?

 

[qualin]

Well, when I was considering a W4842, the lack of warranty was a real turn off.

$2400 for the machine with a one year warranty? An extra $500 to extend it to 2 years? An extra $500 to extend it to 3 years? Uhm... Sorry.

A long warranty says to me that they stand behind their machines. I can't figure out why Miele does the whole, "Our machines last 20 years!" thing without actually having a warranty to back it up. In theory, if they really do last that long, there shouldn't be lots of warranty claims, right?

I don't think that Miele can compete with Allied. Not until they build a factory in North America to bring their shipping costs down. They must match their competitors warranties and pricing.

I do believe that spending that bit extra to get quality is worth it, but as long as Allied makes machines, I'll always be a customer of theirs. Miele just can't compete.

Now, my dream is that Miele and Allied would partner togther. Together they could design and build machines which would be our dream machines. Miele could supply the engineering, Allied could supply the manufacturing might, dealer network and support. If Toyota and GM could do it with NUMMI, they could do it too.

 

[teknikleespekng]

I found the lack of warranty for Miele a big turn off as well. That was my first consideration in looking for a 24" machine to replace my Kenmore. I just couldnt see dropping that much money and then hearing about all the issues w/service.

I'd love to see Allied make a 24" machine. I am really torn about buying the SQ because I dont know if I'll love the machine. Its a big investment for something I may not be happy with.

Now with tighter and tighter regulations being put into place, it really leaves us with no variety of choices of machines.

 

[mrb627]

Rebalancing completed

Well, three hours of time invested and I think I may have successfully set the installation right. Funny thing, when I tipped the dryer back to adjust the feet on the stand, one of the feet just fell off. Seems they didn't install all the feet properly in the stands. I had three mounting bolts out of eight stripped by over tightening them between the stands and the machines. Fortunately, Miele supplies extras which I had retained in the dry stand.

My first test load is washing now. A heavy load of bath towels. Hopefully, the balancing is perfect this time.

Malcolm

 

[frigilux]

Wow, after all of that work, I hope you have a vibration-free experience. Sounds like the guys who did the original installation didn't bother to read the instructions. Good luck, and let us know how everything turns out.