Hey all,
Yes it is a beautiful machine indeed; mum loves it and I think she's finally admitted that she's found a washer that was just as good as her first Hoover! Have been using it a lot yesterday and today (been catching up with the laundry that has built up over the past few weeks we've had no washer downstairs, and of course my washer has been off limits to all family laundry but towels and bedding), and it's a very good machine, of course I didn't expect anything but the best. To my surprise my mum has actually been able to use it too - anything with an electronic display often just confuses her!
Dan - as I said on the phone lastnight I'm sure you can't wait either to come see this Miele. Only just over a week now until you're here again!
Richard - it definitely was an upgrade from the Zanussi. The Mieles a brilliantly well made machine, although to be fair for the price I expect it, and to be honest the Zanussi wasn't that badly built either considering it was only £300. Hopefully this washer should last my mum at least as long as her Hoover did!
Jamie - can I say I told you so?

I told you the dial machines were just as beautiful - can't beat the backlit dial, it's nice to see such a vintage feature still available on a machine today.
Eugene - I have to say as with any other European washer capacity isn't really an issue - again one load in this Miele (which is 6 kilos, versus my own which is 5 kilos) filled up one of the washing lines (about 12 metres long), and at that I had trouble to squeeze it all onto one line. Shame I didn't take a picture really - will do of the next load. But then I suppose it's all what you are used to

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Nick - we decided on the classic model because all the new design models with a free 10 year warranty had the control panels on the front of the top of the machine, and so it would have to stick out if we had one otherwise the worktop would obstruct the controls, however the utility room is too narrow to do that so we went with a traditional flat controlled model. Was going to opt for the cheapest one with variable temperature - but the model we got was only £40 more than that which was worth it for all the extra features you get. Performance is equal - both are good performers, however the cycles & tumbling rhythms do vary between the two. Whilst my own Miele tumbles at 55rpm for 5 seconds before slowing down to 40rpm for 5 seconds and then isntantly reversing, tumbling the same way and so on, the new Miele does quite long tumbles - about 30 seconds long and again instant reversing. However, on the new Miele the tumbles start off slow, and gradually get faster and then in the middle of each tumble it distributes for a few seconds before gradually slowing down again and then reversing. Reminds me a bit of Powerstream Hotpoints, and it really does seem to drive the detergent into the load - and creates a lot of suds in the meantime! Quietness mum's is even quieter than mine as hers has the brushless motor - spinning is nothing but a mere hum of the drum moving, like a commercial washer, whereas on mine you can hear the motor noise - it isn't loud on my Miele but it is audible. This new Miele is quieter than the freezer I'm sure during the final spin! If anything, the dryer is louder than the washer at any point of the cycle - bearing in mind our dryer is a Bosch so fairly quiet, yet the old Bosch and Zanussi would drown out the dryer noise on the fast spin.
Peter - be careful otherwise you'll be joining Jason for a slap!
Austin - thanks for the congratulations. Hope to chat online again soon!
All the best guys, thanks for the congratulations - it definitely is appreciated, although I feel a bit of a snob now with 2 Miele's. I'm sure not even Hyacinth Bouquet has 2 Miele's!
Videos to come hopefully this weekend; if not it'll be next weekend as I am away next week. (Staying with my Auntie with the Miele's actually, as I used to call her when I was young)
Jon