Well, Miele just SCREWED me over...

[pulsator]

As many of you know, I bought a Miele W1215 washer a few months ago and was planning on saving up and buying the matching dryer(T1415). I just got enough money saved up and went to go purchase one from my local appliance dealer, and, naturally, Miele no longer makes the matching dryer!!! GAH!!!! Miele decided to get rid of their 220 volt washers and dryers (6kg capacity) and make smaller capacity 110 volt washers and dryers (5.5KG capacity) to match. They apparently JUST took the older machines off the market and now I can't find one anywhere!!!! I've looked into buying one of their new smaller dryers instead and just not filling my Miele washer all the way. BUT, of course, I need the machines to be stacked and the smaller dimensions of the newer machines don't allow you to stack them properly with the older larger machines. I need to get my hands on a Miele T1415 dryer as well as the stacking kit for it so I can stack my beloved Mieles. The only other possibility I see is looking into returning my Miele washer (still under warrentee) and replacing it with one of the newer smaller 110 volt washers. Is there anyone that can help me? I really don't want to sell my big ol' boil washin Miele! But I absolutely need the dryer to go with it!

 

[pumper]

try this

free shipping

http://www.ekbdc.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=856

 

[pumper]

or this

free shipping

http://www.witbeckappliance.com/browseproducts/T1415-Miele-Touchtronic-Series-Dryer.HTML

 

[launderess]

Calm Down

IIRC the new dryers are not 110v, but 220v. The only way one could see a dryer running on 110v power is if it heated via gas or propane. There simply isn't enough of a market for "portable" type dryers that run on 110v (and have the horrible results most modern such units do), to warrant Miele going into that market.

As for the switch to 110v power for even small washing machines, that rumour had been going around for months now, and IIRC was posted or mentioned here and even over on ThatHomeSite's laundry room.

Am sure Miele didn't go to dealers and pull every single large sized washer and dryer that ran on 220v power. Contact the links above, and try big Miele dealers such as ABT appliances. Of course also watch eBay and Craigslist. If you are considering purchasing from a dealer, you should start looking ASAP and get your unit before any sort of "rush" (if there is to be one), starts when word gets out.

 

[nmaineman36]

What I would do is see if the dealer that you went to can order the dryer for you. There has to be some in stock somewhere. when i saw the price for the dryer at $1600 was a tad steep I thought since I paid 1100 for my T9800 Miele and it has a larger drum. good luck in finding it and let us know how you make out!

 

[sudsmaster]

Personally, at this point, I'd return the 1215 and get the 4840 pair. Much larger capacity, same top temp as the new smaller Mieles.

I do think Miele made a technical error in abandoning the split phase 220 volt 60 Hz line of products. In a sense they "screwed over" everybody with that one. I suppose they figured the market for 110 volt washers was much bigger, but for the prices they charge I think they should offer a 220 volt washer option for all models regardless of capacity.

 

[launderess]

Does This Help You Out?

Pipe:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Miele-Stacking-...ryZ20714QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[launderess]

Shame You Don't Live In NYC

These seem to be going cheap:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Miele-Front-Loa...ryZ71257QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

 

[launderess]

While it tis sad Miele is giving up the ghost on 220v powered washing machines, (as previously stated, dryers are still 220v), it is not surprising as American households by and large have not shown any willingness to install 220v power where it does not already exsist.

Am wondering if the US govt mandates and Energy Star program have anything to do with this change as well. After all European energy ratings take into account a majority of washing machines if not all have internal heaters, whereas the focus on American washing machines and dishwashers has been to limit energy use, both what the machine uses and in terms of hot water.

Know lots of people say it is cheaper to let a washing machine heat it's own water, but that is not always true, nor it the water heated "free". Depending upon load size, starting water temperature versus desired wash temperature,electric rates and other factors the cost can add up. Even in Europe there is a push to wash at 40c and even 30c to save energy.

Notice even on the new larger Miele washing machines sold in the US, by default the "Normal" cycle does not heat water by design. The "nomral" cycle is what Energy Star and the Feds are watching, because they know that is the cycle most often chosen by consumers. IIRC the desire is to make work-arounds difficult enough or at least less of an option to prevent consumer over-rides that if used often enough would negate energy and water savings.

When Miele was one of the few brands of front loading washing machines,they could get away with a take it or leave it attitude towards requiring 220v power. However their 5kg and 6kg units were always considered rather small capacity wise by both CR and the American consumer by and large, and now there are a wealth of front loaders to choose from, many with quite large capacity that do not require 220v power. I've seen Fifth Avenue homes with Whirlpool Duets and their clones as well as the Electrolux/Frigidaire versions.

 

[tomturbomatic]

The other day, I was in a hurry to start another load and pulled the first load out of the W1986 after the first rinse and put it into the Maytag 806 to finish rinsing. The Miele was not packed by any means, although it was a good size load. It took the Large water level, 16 gallons or the capacity of the regular tub Maytag, for the load to circulate during agitation. And, when you consider that I have the 50 cycle pulley in that machine, a machine operating at factory specification speed might have taken the Extra Large water level to circulate the load. The Maytag standard capacity tub handled a decent size load. I think CU's attitude toward the Miele was based on ignorance of front loading washers. They were used to large tub top loaders and did not think a smaller tub could wash very much. I would agree that for a large family, an 18 pound capacity machine would finish the laundry in fewer loads, but for 3 or 4 people, I don't think the Miele 6 kg machine is too small. Unlike some of the very large tub front loaders, the Miele has much less difficulty balancing for spinning. If it cannot distribute the load into a balanced condition, the third attempt is the last. It just cuts the foolishness and starts spinning. Most of the time, as more water is spun out of the load, the Hydro balance is able to compensate so that the machine achieves full spin speed. The Duet will mess around for a long time trying to distribute a balanced load.

 

[sudsmaster]

Even a 5 kg Miele like the 1918 will wash about the same amount of laundry as a standard top loader. I figure it washes about 70% of the maximum load the Neptune 7500 can handle. And of course it does it with high temperature wash capability, multiple thorough rinses, and 1600 rpm final spin.

Yes, CR always seemed to ding the 220 volt Mieles on account of their perceived smaller capacity. Now that Miele has the 4 cu ft 48xx series, they are scoring near the top of the ratings, even though they probably don't wash quite as well as the older, smaller Miele designs (but still very good).

Although CR claims to be immune from manufacturer influence, I think it has its biases. I also think the models it selects to evaluate are influenced by the staff's personal preferences. This is because after testing, the products are generally offered for sale at a discount - and you just know the staff have first dibs on that. So of course if they have a say in the matter they are going to choose to test products that they might want to own themselves.

 

[launderess]

Don't think CR is bad as many make them out to be, and IIRC controls are placed on when and how tested items are distributed when surplus to requirements. Hardly think those that control the purse strings make decisions on what items to purchase based upon employee lusts.

Unlike say corporations, CR relies totally on what they collect from members and other non-profit sources. If a large enough scandal broke out, there would go their bread and butter, along with reputation.

Anywho, back to Miele.

Have noticed some slight an interesting changes at MieleUSA. For instance in the past one could speak directly to a Miele tech when calling for "tech support". Now one gets some sort of customer service clerk who takes down information and can answer general questions. For an answer to a really technical question they place one on hold and either go and ask a tech person, or will call back after finding out the answer. Techs now leave at 4PM EST, so if you call after then, you may not get a response to your query until the next business day.

Personally think Miele might be taking the piss on American consumers. Quality while still up there, if reports are true is only just. Customer support does not seem very well versed on many things, especially new products.

 

[pulsator]

Well, after much research and many phone calls, I've determined that it'll be near impossible to find a Miele T1415 dryer to match my W1215 washer without shipping one from a ridiculously far away location. SO.... I bit the bullet and bought the smaller T8005, I remember reading somewhere that the new smaller Mieles have a capacity of 5.5kg, my Miele washer has a capacity of 6kg, so it shouldn't be terrible, however, the new smaller T8005(22.5 in. deep) is 4 inches shallower than the T1415(26.5 in. deep) not sure how that will affect the drying results. On top of that, the stacking kit will not work, so I'll have to find some other means of strapping the dryer to the top of the washer, I'm thinkin of seatbelt material, wrapped around up front and at the back and some of the cupbaord lining under the feet. My sales guy (I've gotten 14 major appliances from him now) said that Maytag instructed them to tell their customers to put this material under the feet of the washer is excessive walking was an issue and it seemed to do a pretty good job of holding it still.

Anyway, I'd like to thank all of you guys for your help and input, it was very much appreciated!!!

-Jamie

P.S. Here is a pic of a model close to the T8005, the only difference is that the T8005 is vented and not a condenser, I just love the stainless steel!!!

 

[SactoTeddyBear]

Re: Suggestion for sitting:

your Dryer on top of your Washer. I've got as mentioned once in a while an LG Compact Combo and I've placed a Compact Kenmore Dryer on top of the LG. What I did to hold the Dryer in place that seems to work real well, is I bought the Rubber Boots like are used on Crutches and placed them on the Level Feet. I bought Tan Colored Boots, but the place I bought them at also had Black Boots available. Most Rite-Aids, Longs Drug's Wal-Mart's, K-Mart's, Walgreen's should have these available. I believe that I found mine at Rite-Aid. I've got the top {opening} part of the Boots just below the bottom of the Dryer. I laid the Dryer on it's Back to adjust the Level Feet to the approx area, to be inside the Boots and the bottom of the Level Legs resting on the bottom of each Boot. I then stood my Dryer up and completed the process of adjusting the Level Legs and setting the Lock Nuts tight against the bottom of the Dryer Cabinet. I've had in approx 3-years now, only one time that I saw that the Washer had gone Off-Balanced enough to allow the Dryer to "Walk" but my Washer has a ridge around the edges, that stopped the Boots from passing the edges.

If I hadn't had the Edge around the Washer, I was going to have a Metal Frame Welded with a Edge on both the Top and Bottom, to allow the Frame to sit on top of the Washer and not move around and the Top Edge would not allow the Dryer from falling off. To prevent the Metal from damaging the Machines, I was going to use the Peel-N-Stick Window Weather-Stripping Foam Strips to Cushion the Top and Bottom parts of the Edge/Frame areas that would be toughing the Machines.

Good Luck with your Mounting your new Dryer on top of your Washer, given the Diminsion difference, Steve
SactoTeddyBear & SactoTeddyRanger...

 

[lavamat78800]

I placed my dryer on top of the washer without anything between them and do not have any problems so far, even at very unbalanced spins!