New washer died, what model should I replace it with?

[ilovelaundry]

Hello,
Long time lurker. ( Love laundry First time poster.
Dilemma: We bought a new Maytag front loader 6 months ago to replace our old Maytag.
When it recently began making a sound durning the spin cycle, I called our appliance store who sent out the repair person. After listening to the machine on spin, which has a sound something like an alien spacecraft trying to launch from our basement, Repair Guy said it was due to faulty bearings. Apparently this is now a well known defect in the Maytag. We've always loved this small local appliance store because their service department is superb. The store offered to replace it with a Maytag but recommends the Electrolux EIFL W50 LIW.
I would so love to hear your thoughts regarding what would the best washer to choose. Laundry is a big deal to me, a necessity as well as a source of enjoyment. Did I mention that I love laundry? Thanks in advance.
Best regards,
K

 

[arbilab]

Welcome and bless you dear, you shouldn't need bearings at 6 months. Though the repair would be free who's to say it won't need them again the minute the warranty runs out? Electrolux has its "dirty laundry" just as Maytag does. My 1998 Electrowhitefrigilux is still doing fine but that was then and this is now. I wouldn't know what to replace mine with either.

Maybe somebody will. I wish I had my 1973 Panasonic twintub back. [disillusioned smiley]

 

[gansky1]

Welcome!

Which Maytag front-load washer do you have? If it's only six months old, there could have been a defect in the seal, bearings, tub, etc. that wasn't caught at the factory. Maytag (Whirlpool) makes a pretty decent front loading washer, usually pretty highly rated in CR's tests. You may have just had a lemon and a replacement is more than fair from a reputable dealer.

Don't have any experience with the Electrolux super-sized front load washers, they look pretty in the store and the door latch and drum lights are thrilling to play with. If it were me, I'd stick with Whirlpool-Maytag, but I've had good experiences with WP products overall.

 

[ilovelaundry]

Thank your for your thoughts.

We have the Maytag 4000 series
Model: MHWE 450 W02

Sounds impressive, huh?
Repair Guy said they could repair it but it would be very costly, and likely to happen again. So the store elected to just replace with same or another of same value at no extra cost to us including free delivery.
When my Other Half went in to look at what the store had, they recommended the electrolux. He's not a laundry guy, but a pretty good 'household engineer' although not for really major appliances. He kinda liked how the Elux looked so went ahead to order it to be delivered next week. Sales Guy said if this would cause a divorce, I could call ahead to change. Guess I better think quick.

 

[arbilab]

Mercy! Appliances today are marketed to appeal to the user/wife (dozens of useless cycles) and the practical/husband (energy star), with emphasis toward deceiving both. The most attractive machine can be the most gutless. That's how you ended up with a 6-month Maytag, isn't it?

Sorry, don't mind me, I'm a hardcore cynic when it comes to engineering inadequacy.

 

[ilovelaundry]

It's true. Bright lights and gadgets are seductive. Good to be a cynic when it comes to marketing machination.
I just want a solid machine that will wash our clothes without damaging them, be easy on the environment and last a good long while.
Maytag Number 1 lasted 12 years and I really, really loved it. Everyone said that was very good as most washers last only ~5 years. Sigh. I like long term relationships

The store has an extended 5 year warranty for $180. Is this crazy?

 

[volvoguy87]

I work in an appliance parts store.

Of the 3 main American companies (Frigidaire, GE, and Whirlpool) I'd still take Whirlpool over any of the others. Electrolux is Frigidaire and I sell lots of those parts. From my interactions with all the service technicians in town, I'd say that Frigidaire builds some of the worst main stream appliances out there today. I have little experience with their recent laundry products, however. In my personal opinion, I'd say GE/Hotpoint builds the worst laundry appliances right now.

If I were to go with a mainstream brand, I'd go Whirlpool. If I was going to buy any washer on the market today, I'd buy a Speed Queen, no contest.

See if you can get a Speed Queen,
Dave

PS: Samsung and LG are the worst major appliances money can buy. Most reputable service technicians will agree!

 

[ilovelaundry]

Good insights. Thank you.
I'm thinking I would love a SpeedQueen if indeed the front loader would have the performance and longevity. I know store has them. I recall when looking 6 months ago there was one of smaller capacity ( about 1 sf less than the MT and Elux) and it was nearly double the price at around 15-1600. Ouch. Thinking the numbers, the store would swap even up for the Elux. So I'm wondering, should we? Or should we think about coming up with another $800. for a SpeedQueen? If washers these days last only about 5 years, just beyond the extended warranty of the Elux, we'd probably have to buy another one then. (frown) If the SpeedQueen still has the longevity to last 10 years it would be a wash. Then there's the opportunity cost of spending the money now. OK my is going to explode. Son just started college...

 

[runematic]

The mhwe450 has a 1 year parts & labor warranty. The cost to you to repair is $0.00. The repair will consit of a new inner tub & both halves of the outer tub. It sounds like you dealer just didn't want to do the repair.

 

[ilovelaundry]

Oops I forgot to mention, Sales Guy said the Whirlpools have the same bearing set up as the Maytag, thus prone to the same problem.

 

[ilovelaundry]

You're right, the store does not really want to do the repair. They said it would likely happen again, sooner than later. Apparently the design is a set up for problems.

 

[arbilab]

Whirltag, Electropool, Frigiwhite, they all swap parts, designs, badges. It all seems deliberately engineered to blur brand reputations, as right now they're all as bad as they have ever been. SQ stands apart from that fray. They may not be what they once were but the others DEFINITELY aren't. Miele also stands apart but they are VERY premium priced and not without blemishes either. The Koreans made admirable VCRs but their reputation with washers and appliances in general is poor.

Where is Panasonic when you need them? Oh, Kuwait. And made in Taiwan. Even the Japanese don't actually make anything in Japan any more. Someday all this industrial turmoil may sort itself. But what are we supposed to do in the meantime? Buy $2000 machines that don't last through warranty?

Sorry. That commiserates but doesn't outright solve anything. Except if the dealer will swap you for a SQ, might be the way to go.

 

[fido]

If you have had good service from this supplier in the past I think you should go with their advice and have the Electrolux. They will have more up to date product information than most members of this forum. I have come unstuck in the past, giving recommendations of particular makes, based on experience with machines a few years old. The current offerings from the same manufacturer might be totally different to the machines I think of as being typical Whirlpool, Hotpoint or whatever.

 

[ilovelaundry]

Wow. Thank you all so very much for your communal intelligence and wisdom and especially for your commiseration.
I would love the SpeedQueen but can't make the numbers work for us right now. If the Elux carries on for five years then we'll have spent $995. ($775 for the new MT and delivery 6 months ago + $0. for the Elux + $180. 5 year ext warranty) we should have a washer for at least 5 years. If we spend another ~$700. now (price difference added to get the SQ) we may have a washer for ~ 10 +/- years. We did get 12 years out of our first MT Neptune. Maybe we'll do as well this time. I dunno. My heart and head hate the ' buy it - use it - throw away' mentality, but the wallet can only do that now.
Currently the plan is go with the Electrolux and hope for the best.
I will update you all periodically on it's performance.
Toward adventures in laundry!

 

[pdub]

Best of Luck

I think you are making a good choice with the Electrolux. I'm looking forward to seeing a picture or two of your new machine when it arrives.

 

[ilovelaundry]

Thanks, Pdub. It arrives on Friday.
The toughest part about most things is making a decision.
Thanks all for offering your wisdom and helping me think it out.
K