Miele W-1930 and T-1520 opportunity

[drhardee]

Miele friends,
I have an opportunity to purchase a new (~4 year old) Miele pair. Probably because they are small capacity, "ferrin" and require 240V power, this pair never sold at the local high-end appliance store. They are having a "inventory reduction" sale, and these two are priced to move at $699.00 each. They've never been sold or run, but are display models apparently that were consigned to the warehouse for a few years. The dryer has a nick in the paint, and the removeable (?) top to the washer is loose, and I can't look in the washer as it has to have power to it to open the door.

Some questions: Is the capacity of these things really as small as I think it is? Could the washer, for example, handle 3 queen sized sheets and 4 pillowcases (a typical washload in my 3.1 cu.ft. current FriGEmore)?

I'd love to stack these...is a stacking kit still available?

Is it hard to find an outlet to fit the washer's power cord plug? If I stack these, do I have to install 2 240 v (or whatever) power outlets?? I'd have to move the dryer's outlet across the laundry room anyway, but I want to know what sort of potential electrician's nightmare I could be putting myself into.

Are they reliable? I noticed that the washer (while seemingly tiny) heats up to 190F!

And lastly, do I want to do this? The new Miele's are $1399.00 each for the 4800 washer and matching dryer, but alas, don't stack. I'd love to read the owner's manual for this pair..I'll investigate Miele's site to see what I can find. Any input is appreciated!

 

[peterh770]

Got for it...

It is the same size as my 1918. I regularly wash 2 sets of queen sheets with 8 pillowcases in one load. It holds as much as a regular top load -- some people here say it won't -- but it does and washes very thoroughly.

I don't know if the stacking kit is available; call Miele the number on the website.

If the set doesn't come with the "installation box" I think you can order one from Miele. This plugs into the dryer 30A outlet and splits the power for the washer and the dryer. Have the dealer dig around their stockroom, they might have one back there but just don't know what it is.

$700 for the set is a STEAL!!!

 

[drhardee]

Thanks for the message. The set is $1,400.00, which is the price of ONE of the brand new Miele's. I found the owner's manual on the Miele site (thank you Miele!) and it states that the washer should NOT be moved without the shipping braces installed. I recall looking behind the machine and NOT seeing the shipping braces. I'm sure they are nowhere to be found in that store. I can just see the Bubba's who deliver this machine to have it and the dryer bouncing along in a truck for the 15 miles from the store to my home.

These would be the same Bubba's who delivered my Miele dishwasher with both front leveling legs bent to 45 degree angles, and then proceeded to "fix 'em" using vice grips while in the driveway!

Any other wisdom to share with me? Is the shipping brace thing a deal breaker?

 

[launderess]

Miele sells a special plug adaptor set (vastly over priced for what it is, but that's Miele for you), that spilts your 220v power for two Miele plugs (washer and dryer). Only thing is one has to have the 220v power to start. It was this last bit that put many Americans off Miele, as despite what many say, not all homes have acess to 220v power, nor wished to spend time and or money to have it installed where it did not exsist. Of course now Miele has short circuted that argument by switching most of their laundry and dishwashing equipment to 120v.

As for capacity have found my 5kg model can handle a decent sized load, more than one would think. However when it comes to linens, there are differences between say sateen sheets and crisp percale type sheets that affect how much one can load. The former absorb water well and compact down, the later do not, thus over crowding leads to wrinkles and poor washing results.

My Miele heats to 200F, but rarely wash at temps above 140F, with most laundry done at 100F to 120F. Have found long as one uses a TOL detergent designed for front loaders, such as Persil, everything comes out a treat without high wash temps. With our local power rates going through the roof lately, just ordered a lessiveuse from France to boil laundry, instead of using the Miele. Gas here is cheaper than electric, and it will free up the machine.

If neither machine has never been installed and used, doubt much could be wrong besides cosmetic damage. Just make sure the shipping bolts are still in the washer before it was moved about, and certianly before it is shipped to your home.

Personally prefer these older Miele washers to the new uber sized units currently on offer. Much eaiser to do laundry YOUR way, rather than messing about with computer programs and various tricks to "customise" cycles.

Miele USA should still have owner's manuals for both machines on their website.

 

[peterh770]

Both my Miele sets were transported in the back of my vehicle (the first in a RAV4, the second in the 4Rinner), laid on their side, WITHOUT shipping braces, at 55+ mph for about an hour ride. You don't need them if they don't have them. Lay the machine on the side opposite the soap dispenser.

 

[drhardee]

I bought the Miele's! I'm looking forward to the day I can wash an inaugural load. I have to get the laundry room re-done first to allow for the height of the stacked pair. I also bought the "easy install" kit, which allows one to plug in both the washer and dryer into one box which then plugs into a regular dryer outlet. The dealer is locating a stacking kit for me. Miele said they didn't carry the better stacking kit with the pull-out shelf any longer, but does still stock a "universal" model which will fit the machines, without the shelf. Oh well, I'm still glad I bought them, and at such a great price for brand-new machines! I'll let folks know how progress goes.