W1986 vs W4840

[spacedogb]

Hey everyone,
I have an option of buying a Miele W4840 and T9800 for $1000. I currently have the old W1986 washer and matching dryer. I have included a link to my original post. The pump seal leaks and I would have to spend $400 to replace the pump on the W1986. I would like everyones opinion on the W4840. I know they changed the outer tub to fiberglass, but wondering if there are anymore changes that I should be aware of, and if $1000 is a decent price for the set.

Thanks

Proud owner of Miele washer and dryer

Hello everyone, I am the proud owner of a used miele washer novotronic W1986 and dryer Novotronic T1576 that I found through your site. I went looked at them, and I found out that the washer is leaking water out of the right front corner. Also I noticed that the dryer is full of lint behind...

www.automaticwasher.org

 

[launderess]

Over the years have spent far more than $400 on my Miele washer, and it is of a model generation or so before yours.

This despite often being told off by MieleUSA tech support who loathed hearing about my "old" machine and was often told the same thing: your machine is old, get rid of it. Head man of tech support/customer service went further and offered a discount on any new Miele washer one chose if would agree to get rid of the old machine and stop bothering his men about it.

That being said it all comes down to factors of personal choice and tastes.

The Miele 1900's series are some of the last die hard true workhorse washers. Yes, Miele still builds top notch appliances, but the vintage models are built to last.

The 1986 was frequently used by dry cleaners and professional laundries for wet cleaning.

IMHO there were far less issues with the 19xx series washers than the 4XXX. Though the latter is larger in terms of size, you can load the former's tub to full capacity for "Normal/Cottons", while the latter suggest only using 3/4's of tub capacity.

My AEG OKO-Lavamat has a "plastic" outer tub and have not noticed any issues including with developing a whiff. However one does adhere to good laundering practices including leaving the door open between uses.

One grand for both a Miele washer *and* dryer is a good price regardless of models. That is if both are in good working condition and or do not have any serious issues.

If one knows what one is doing swapping out a pump on a Miele washer, or any other small repair work can be done easily. Only big issues are the suspension springs (requires two persons or some sort of winch, rear bearings, and other major parts of machine.

From a future long term ownership point of view parts for the 4840 and matchin dryer should be available for a good fifteen years or more, since Miele only just really introduced (and quickly) discontinued their large laundry appliances. However Miele still covers them under their "twenty year parts" guarantee meaning unless something changes they will continue to stock parts for at least that long.

OTOH the 19XX series IIRC are on MieleUSA's "discontinued" list. That is parts for those washing machines are no longer being imported from Germany. What is in the Sates is all there is and once gone that will be that. However parts that also used for other washers (such as the 12XX series) are still about.