Speed Queen current line up in production through 2018

[liamy1]

50 years is the design limit for the FLers.

Am I reading this correct? That they expect SQ FL to last 50 years.

In the UK, where we have had FL longer, the average life of a FL is now around 4 to 6 years :/

Even Miele, which is our best of the best, only state up to 20 years.

My FL has just broke this week, and that is only 7 months old (not a cheap one either - equivalent to around $1500).

 

[frigilux]

Theoretically, I would think you could get 50 years out of a washer…but where do you draw the line for parts replacement? If you replace motors, bearings, pumps, belts, struts, seals and electronics, is it still the same washer or is it a new one?

 

[washman]

No frigilux

It would be old wine in a new bottle! Or something like that

I agree, in theory, that one could get 50 years out of a washer. Well, let me clarify that statement, that would only apply to something built no later than say the 1970's. Maybe even earlier. No modern machine, save for SQ, would match that.

Then we'd have to have a criteria of sorts that defines "useful life" and how much of the original parts are being replaced.

For instance, you have ______ (insert brand) for say 5 years. You replace a timer module. Is the washer still useable? Was the replacement cost a reasonable percentage of purchase price? Can you even get a replacement part? What if nothing else goes wrong for the next 45 years? Did the machine "last"?

Is replacing only a belt enough to satisfy the replacement requirement?

Hard to say for sure.

Not even a Model T would last that long without something being replaced and that was about a bare bones car as one could get.

 

[NYCWriter]

liamy1 ...

… no one is "saying" their washers can last up to 50 years.

In fact, no one has ever "said" it.

The fact of the matter is that today's washers are not built as well as previous generations. Period.

And washers of eras past most certainly CAN last 50 years (or even longer) given good care.

But that's the caveat: good care. Most consumers are hard on their appliances, so they don't generally last longer than 20 years.

 

[washman]

NYCWriter

IIRC, the only maker that stated something along the lines of longevity was Miele.

In fact, had they kept the 4800 series for US distribution, I would have seriously considered that model to replace the GE when it died.