New Front Load Washer recomendations

[opflame]

Hello,

We just bought a Kenmore HE2 plus washer and its leaking water, and making a squeaking sound on day one

Sears is going to take care of us and allow us to pick a different model. What models should I consider? I'm looking to spend around $900 to $1100US. Please let me know what you would suggest (from Sears of course)

Thanks.

opflame

 

[norgeman]

What Washer

Me, Myself and I. I would go with one of the Frigidaire built models of the 3.5 cap. or go with one of the other Whirl./Kenmore machines. But look them over very carefully and compare and what features you want on it. Happy looking. Danf.

 

[stainfighter]

in my experience, ask local Mom 'n Pop to price Match

because the place we will now only buy from does so, with gentle delivery when WE want it, not some computer assigned, "between tomorrow and tomorrow night" deal we experienced with Sears. Complained about it to Sears and they profusely apologized but nothing changed. The DW itself is just fine, but we cannot just take off the next day b/c the Sears computer calls the night before at 6:00 p.m. to tell us delivery is sometime the next day! Had to reschedule 2X to get it delivered. Our experience with Best Buy was even worse, but won't go on...Give your business to a local place instead of a Big Box store, imho. OK rant over

 

[peteski50]

Recommendation!

I would go with the Frigidaire. It is probably the most simple of all the FL designs. I have a LG and highly don't recommend it because of the poorest service. You never know what to go with because in reading all the reviews they all have pros and cons. But I think the Frigidaire's have the most positive.
Good Luck
Peter

 

[rp2813]

'flame, I've read in other threads here about premature bearing trouble with the Frigidaires. I like their styling but the bearing issue has been mentioned more than once here and has scared me off. Plus, their dryers are way smaller. Duets and their derivatives seem to be the runaway favorite FL's with AW members.

I suspect as Stainfighter has indicated above, the delivery thugs contracted by Sears probably wrecked your machine. When my laundry pair was delivered by Sears one night under cover of darkness, I saw them actually drop the dryer onto the pavement off the lift gate. It's been a rattle trap from day one, but since it was working properly I had no case to make for replacement. Noise doesn't count.

I'd say to stick with Kenmore or Whirlpool, and if you can get the price matched by a local dealer, forget Sears entirely or make enough noise with the Sears salesman that he puts all kinds "handle with care/irate customer" notes on your paperwork for the delivery team.

 

[peteski50]

Recommendation!

I do have to agree with RP about the bearing issues. It is to my understanding that the newer 3.5 version Frigidaire has cleaned up the bearing issues. Also my mom has the unit with the square door for a year and a half and loves it. I also agree that the Frigidaire dryer really sux. But if I didn't need a matching set I would only get the washer. If you do stay with Whirlpool I would just buy the Duet. The newer SpeedQueen is another possibility except it doesn't have as much cycle flexability as others and much more expensive. But remember whatever you decide stay away from LG.
Peter

 

[golittlesport]

In my opinion, the Frigidaire 3.5's are the best FL deal around. Just use HE detergent and you shouldn't have a problem with the bearings. My son is using my older "Frigmore" FL...seven years old and not a problem or repair. It has been a workhorse. I've had a 3.5 for the last year and it does a great job.

 

[exploder3211]

I love my Frigidaire Affinty..

 

[tumbler]

Go with Duet HT

Out of 5 "Frigimore" (Frigidaire-built Kenmores)-mine, and four others I recommended to family and friends, three of them have developed bad bearings. These models all had mechanical timers, too-terrible spin balancing protocol; if they didn't balance out pretty much right away, they simply bypass the spin cycle altogether. I bought a Whirlpool Duet HT from Sears (along w/matching dryer) and I couldn't be happier. They've been around since about 2000 and I hardly ever see a posting about problems with them. I'm also a member of an appliance technicians' bulletin board-same thing there. The only thing I would have done differently would have been to buy it from a bona-fide appliance dealer. Since they repair the product they sell, they're less inclined to subject the customer to sloppy or inexperienced delivery personnel, since they'll have to absorb the cost of warranty repair (Whirlpool pays their techs a flat $54 for labor on warranty jobs, regardless of how long they take). I learned this the hard way when my brother recently bought a Duet at Lowe's Home Center. The delivery men showed up in a Budget truck, started to remove the shipping braces before they brought the machine into the house (I stopped them) and tried to leave without leveling it-they didn't even have a level. If you find an appliance dealer who does a lot of business with homebuilders, they will probably beat anyone's price, including Sears. But STAY WITH THE DUET!!!

 

[nurdlinger]

I'll add my testimony

I have owned a Kenmore 44092/84092 set for 18 months with no troubles. This is the 3.5cft Electrolux-built machine that is a twin to the Frigidaire Gallery model. (Big round windows in square doors) I worried before I bought it about the bearing troubles, but they were associated with the earlier 3.1cft model. Someone mentioned earlier in the thread that the bearing problem was solved in this model. Although I think it is too early in the life cycle of the device to conclude that, I can be optimistic about it. Sears doesn't sell these anymore, they have the Whirlpool-built HE2 now to cover the spot in their lineup. Also, the Frigidaire Affinity models currently available are a (IMHO) minor evolutionary step for this same design. I don't encounter the spin-balancing trouble that others have reported. This could be owing to the content of my washloads being different, or to a smarter balancing algorithm in the computer that controls the machine. In summary, I am happy doing my 3 loads per week in this set. The dryer is small, and leaves some stuff damp more than I would prefer, but this is not a deal stopper. I would buy these again, and by implication would consider the Affinity if these were unavailable.

 

[volvoguy87]

GE = BAD

Buy from a Mom & Pop appliance dealer! The service is SO much better. The delivery is SO much better, and if ever you need service, that is SO much better too. Avoid LG for reasons discussed above, but also avoid GE. My folks gout a pair of GE front loaders in 2006 and although they have worked fine thus far with extremely light use, their quality is very poor. The controls feel flimzy, the cycle takes FOR EVER, and the cleaning and rinsing is not great. Also, the washer likes to emit a nice musty smell, no matter how well you wipe the drum and gasket dry. GE builds a bad washer, although the dryer works well, but its lint trap is the worst to clean.

Vintage for me,
Dave

 

[sudsmaster]

My take on this is that the HE2 Plus is probably a very good machine; you just happened to get a lemon. I like the HE2Plus and the Whirlpool version the Sport HT, because they have horizontal drums, don't take up a lot of depth in a laundry closet, and have more than adequate capacity.

If you have the space, and if Sears sells it, maybe a Maytag Epic would be a good choice. It's basically a Kitchenaid Ensemble, which in turn is basically an HE4T.

 

[opflame]

LG's??

I know you folks in the US have had issues with LG, I spoke with a service tech up here in Ontario and he mentioned they're getting better with their service problems. I like the features and the product seems very good, however the concern is with service rather than quality correct?

 

[peteski50]

LG

Yes Opflame the service is horrible. I will never purchase another LG product again. No matter how good a product is, if the service is bad it's useless.
Peter

 

[revvinkevin]

I have a older Frigidaire FL set (10 or so years now) with no trouble or problems. Yes I agree if it has a problem balancing the load before a spin it will bypass that spin entirely (mechanical timer), but I've realized that is only if the load is too small. I've thought about replacing it with the new Fridigaire (Sq. door) or a Whirlpool Duet, but I have no reason to since their still working fine.

2 years ago I replaced my mothers deceased Maytag with a (basic model) Whirlpool Duet washer. She loves it and it's been problem free.

I suggest you just get another Kenmore HE2 or Whirlpool Duet!

 

[bleacho]

replacement

i recommend the fl frigidaire FL.. im on my second one, only because i moved, and re purchased it... great maching, simple design, and a great washer...

 

[oxydolfan1]

Bleacho, which model?

 

[ultramatic52]

Samsung Front Load!!!

I recommend this washer for all its features and it´s not really expensive for what you will get. Just because it has this special thing (Silver Nano Technology) makes this washer the best since you don´t need a high water temperature or a very long cycle to get your clothes clean and sanitized. Check the link beyond!!! Look in thread 10452 at the last comments I posted pictures of mine and my extended opinion. I hope I can find the video where Samsung show how this works inside the washer, but I think it´s only in Spanish.

http://www.samsung.com/products/laundry/index.asp

 

[rp2813]

After a good amount of research I'm going with the Duet GHW9300PW4. Larger than the HE2 and at about the same price at Lowes through this weekend with the 10% discount. Same for matching dryer. They will rebate your delivery charge and you can get extended 5 year coverage on BOTH machines for $139. This is way better than Sears and these have controls I prefer--a dial with a pointer that stops on the cycle you want. It may still be an electronic panel but at least it feels like analog! At 3.8 cu ft the washer is the same size as TOL HE5's at nearly half the price.

I read way too many complaints like yours on HE2's being bad news right out of the gate. Hard to find many people complaining about their Duets breaking down in comparison.