What machine should I buy now?

[2drumsallergy]

Hi Folks,
Well its been an interesting week for me; as you may have read in my earlier thread I had purchased an Electrolux Insight EWN14991W, well to cut a long story short this is the TOL and is advertised on page eight of the Electrolux Free Standing Appliance Brochure as having a drum light. My machine has not been fitted with the advertised drum light which is a violation of The Trade Descriptions Act 1968. I have zero tolerance for miss described products so my Insight is being returned to Electrolux and I am receiving a full refund.
So what to buy now? I am considering two Miele models, the W3985WPS and the W4446WPS I prefer the modern styling so I will probably go for the W4446WPS. My only gripe is the small 6Kg capacity. I had also considered the Bosch Logixx 8 WAS32466GB but ruled it out as Bosch are still using Universal Motors (Carbon Brush) in this machine. Universal Motors are noisier and less reliable than the new 3 Phase Induction Motors (Inverter) so Inverter drive is a must.

Any opinions are welcome, I will be ordering the machine on Monday morning.

Thanks,
David

 

[funguy10]

Oh, No! Tell me the Contrarotator didn't die!

 

[foraloysius]

I don't think there is that much difference in drum size between the 8kg Bosch and the 6kg Miele. In order to rise the capacity, they extend the cycles instead of making the drum bigger. If you want a larger capacity I'd go with the American sized Bosch frontloader.

The Miele is a great choice though, I like the styling of the new machines. If I'd buy a new Miele I'd get the Medicwash though because I have a dustmite allergy and the Medicwash has some special cycles to remove dustmites from laundry (read cycles that keep the temperature at 60*C for over an hour).

Now if you were in Switzerland I'd say you should have a look at V-Zug...

Louis

 

[2drumsallergy]

Miele

Hi Funguy10,
No not at all both my Dyson washers are running perfectly but I enjoy multiple machines, two Dyson Contra Rotators, a Whirlpool Top Loader 3LSC8255EQ1, an Electrolux Insight EWN14991W but not for much longer and last but not least a Hotpoint Supermatic Deluxe 1414 Twin Tub. Oh I almost forgot my Whirlpool Inspirations 1200 which is not currently connected and seldom used.

Hi Louis,
Thank you for your input. If I were in Switzerland no question it would definitely be a V-Zug but unfortunately the Swiss keep those gems to themselves. I also prefer the modern styling so it will most likely be the Miele W4446WPS. Actually the Bosch drum is 65 Litres a full 11 Litres larger than the Miele at 54 Litres, but yes cycle time are nearly always longer to compensate for the larger capacity. The Bosch is a definite no as they have opted for a cheaper, noisier and less reliable Universal Motor.

I like the quality and quietness of the Insight but it is very poor at rinsing even with the extra rinse selected.

David

 

[funguy10]

I am suprised about the dysons. The CR01 is coming to it's 7th birthday and has not had one breakdown! Pretty good for "The United Kingdom's most unreliable washing machine"!

 

[2drumsallergy]

Dyson ContraRotator

Funguy10,
The Dyson ContraRotator most certainly is not the UK's most unreliable washing machine. There are thousands of these great and totally unique machines in daily use throughout the United Kingdom. Since they were never sold in the United States it is unlikely you have seen one in the flesh. I have two Dysons and both have proved totally reliable so far.

As I have mentioned before there were a few issues identified on the CR01 series and Dyson released a few modified components to address the problems, any Dyson owner that registered their washer with Dyson were contacted to have the components replaced at no charge. Also if a Dyson CR01 washer failed as a result of said components the machines were always repaired free of charge even if the warranty had expired. The modified components were the Gearbox Actuator, the Outer Door Lock Assembly, the Coin Trap cover, the Detergent Dispenser Tray and finally the operating Software was updated to include a brief contra rotation at the end of the cycle to fluff the laundry. The Gearbox Actuator is a plastic component and it was found that the plastic was absorbing moisture from the atmosphere and expanding in size, the plastic compound was changed and an expansion seam was added to the outer part of the actuator avoiding any future issues.

If the Dyson ContraRotator was still in production I would buy another one without hesitation.

David

 

[pierreandreply4]

hello

thre is a site that rates washing machines enter google and type top 10 washing machines this might help you.

Good luck

 

[funguy10]

I think that site is www.epinions.com. Here are thier current top 10 washers:

10: LG WM2487H Front Load Washer.
9: Frigidaire Affinityâ„¢ ATF7000 Front Load Washer.
8: LG WM2487H Front Load Washer.
7: Whirlpool WFW9400S Front Load Washer. (A Duet HT Washer)
6: LG WM3431 Front Load All-in-One Washer / Dryer.
5: LG WM-3677HW Front Load All-in-One Washer / Dryer.
4: Frigidaire GLEH1642DS Front Load Stacked Washer / Dryer.
3: Maytag EPIC® MFW9700S Front Load Washer.
2: LG SteamWasherâ„¢ WM2688H Front Load Washer.
1: Haier HLP21E Top Load Washer. (A Portable Washer!)

 

[nickuk]

New washer

Hi David. This is all very interesting - in 2004 I also bought an E-lux (Zanussi Jetsystem 1400) which had been misdescribed. In the online brochure it was claimed this model had a DC brush motor, like my previous Hotpoint Ultima. When I installed the machine and it begun washing, it made that familar `wiry,grizzly' noise that AC universal motors make. I inspected the machine and it was a standard AC motor. I phoned to complain and I was treated like a freak....I didn't pursue the complaint because we had a baby due in 2 weeks. I kept the washer and it was hammered for 3 years - no complaints about from fascia writing wearing, but it was sold with the house when we moved earlier this year as I fancied a new machine
.

With regards new washers, well I think I would go with the Miele if price isn't an issue. I was going to get a Miele Premier 520 for about £479, but at the last minute I spotted what I thought was a good deal not to be dismissed - an LG 12311RD which is an 8kg washer and 4kg dryer for £399 on-line. I couldn't ignore this for the larger capacity it offered and I'm actually really pleased with it. Surprisingly, the dryer is really quite efficient. My major complaint is that it can be fussy about balancing. But overall it's a nice washer; quiet, with cycles I can get on with, and at a very sensible price for what seems like a fairly solid machine.....though there have been others on here who have said that the electronics are not that good in the long term.

Have you considered one of the larger capacity Hoovers with inverter motor or an Aqualtis? Have heard positive things about both.

Good luck with your search and I hope you're happy with whatever you choose.

Regards

Nick

 

[washboy2005]

Hi David, sorry to hear about your unfortunate experience with the E-Lux!

I like this machine, good price too!

P.S Havent seen you posting for quite a while Nick! I hope all is well!

http://www.currys.co.uk/martprd/store/cur_page.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@1466619556.1191099861@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccdladdmdlljmklcflgceggdhhmdgmk.0&page=Product&sku=871890&fm=5&sm=0&tm=0&tabIndex=1

 

[2drumsallergy]

The Trade Descriptions Act 1968

Hello Nick,
Thank you for your reply. So it's not the first time Electrolux have been at such tricks. I'm sorry to hear of your having a similar problem but you should have pushed it as you were protected by The Trade Descriptions Act 1968, Electrolux had no other option but give me a returns authorization uplift number as they clearly state on page 8 of their brochure that quote "Our new astetic gives you a large capacity in an attractive and modern design. The transparent door frame with an illuminated drum in the top of the range models gives light to the washing machine as well as adding an elegance to the porthole" unquote, and indeed the machine is pictured in the brochure with the drum light illuminated.

It's a blessing in disguise really as the Insight is very poor at rinsing, my towels are stiff and hard when line dried, also mum and I have experienced skin irritation from detergent residue and that's something that's never occurred in this household before. Its a great machine in every other way, supremely quiet, solidly built, great capacity and excellent wash performance however its let down totally by rinsing in a teaspoon of water, even the extra rinse makes almost no improvement. My sister has the previous model Insight and it uses plenty of water during the rinses and of course rinses perfectly. The new Insight needs to use much more water during the rinses to resolve the problem.

I actually had an 8Kg Aqualtis AQGD169S for a couple of weeks but I returned it as the paintwork was discoloured behind the warranty registration sticker, Hotpoint shipped me a replacement Aqualtis but it was exactly the same as the first one. It was a shame as I really liked the Aqualtis and it used plenty of water during the rinses.

Thankfully money is not an issue so it will likely be the Miele, I prefer the modern design W4446WPS with the larger porthole. My only reservation is the Miele's relatively small 54 Litre 6Kg drum. I'm used to a cavernous 78 Litre drum in my Dysons which easily washes a 15.0 Togg weight King Size Duvet. I would have liked the Bosch but unfortunately they use that screechy Universal motor in their TOL model, I know this because my local Currys tipped one on its side so I could have a look at the Motor LOL.

Thanks again,
David

 

[funguy10]

Well, here is a link to a podcast at www.fixitnow.com about the various choices in washing machines. In this edition, "The Samurai" and Mrs. Samurai talk about various washing machines and thier pros and cons. He happens to talk a lot about Staber(A USA manufacturer of Top-Loading Horizontal-Axis washers) because Staber happens to be his favorite brand. He also knows, as you will tell by listening to the Podcast, that Staber is not a well known brand. Other than that bit of repetitveness, it is a pretty interesting show.

FARR-17: Which Washer Should You Buy?

 

[lavamat_jon]

Hi David,

Quick post as I've just come in from work and am tired, but I have to say the 6 kilo drum on my mum;s Miele isn't small at all. It is small by comparison to the 8kilo mammoth machines of today we've never struggled at all with the drum size with a family of 6. It will hold huge towel loads, usually 4 bath sheets, 1 or 2 bath towels, about 3 or 4 handtowels, odd amounts of flannels and a bath mat and handle it with ease - more so than the old Bosch WFO2864 which had a similar sized drum but just couldn't handle being filled to capacity. I regularly wash sleeping bags and duvets in both my 5 kilo and mum's 6 kilo machines with ease, in fact the only duvet I can't fit in are our winter king size duvets which won't fit in any washer smaller than the 35lb machines at the launderette. Remember that perhaps small compared to a lot of washers today, the Miele drums are still huge compared to the 9/10lb washers of yesteryear.

There's lots of clever technology built into the Miele that the eye doesn't see, lots of sensor technology and no two cycles are the same. I've never owned a machine which has washed, rinsed and spun so well yet so quietly... definitely a happy customer here. The only gripe I had at first was that it only did 2 standard rinse cycles as standard, with an optional 3rd. I was used to the 4 or 5 rinses which the AEG 86741 offered, but even with just 2 rinses the Miele seems to rinse just as well, and even better with 3 rinses. They are the only machines to this date which I'm able to use biological powders in and not have anybody complain of itchy skin.

The inverter motor on mum's machine is nice, and spookily quiet, but I think I prefer the noise from the DC motor on my W2652 - still quiet, but a lot of power is there in the noise too whereas with the W3922 you just here the drum and suspension with no motor noise at all.

Hope this helps,

Jon

 

[foraloysius]

Mr Funguy,

Did you notice that David lives in the United Kingdom?

 

[hoover3060]

Jon

No need for you to post....We all know what machine you would recommend!!!!!!!!!

Sorry couldn't resist being a cheeky bitch!!!

Mark

xx

 

[hoover3060]

David

I personally unfortunately don't know which machine to recommend. I don't have much experience with modern machines. Only one we had was a cheap candy which we bought to sell with our old house. Used it for a short while and it was ok but dont know how long it would have lasted as from day one the motor sounded a bit dodgy!!

Mark

 

[destroyer]

Hello TwoDrumsAllergy,

Sorry to hear about your electrolux, but as you say it is a good thing as they are poor rinsers, I have discussed on here before about the very low water level when rinsing, regardless of how good the jetsystem is supposed to be, you need water to take out the detergent, and it certainly does not have enough water during the rinses.

I have the same insight that your sister has I believe you mentioned in an older post.. I do not think the water level is suficcient enough in that machine personally, so if you say the new machine is even worse it must be terrible.. I had to call serviceforce out within the first 3 weeks to unblock the jetsystem, now the jetsystem has stopped working totally and I get a smell of burning plastic......

I am still looking for a Dyson, I have a larger car now and I am just waiting for a nice machine to come up for sale somewhere so I can go and get it. *hopes that a CR02 allergy comes up*

Good luck with your new machine,

Dave

PS. I never did find out about the machine with the disabled contrarotor action..

 

[samsungfl]

Its Such A Shame!!

Electrolux seem to be making some very attractive looking washers with some very innovative programs! Though as many of you have mentioned they seem to have forgotten that to rinse clothes properly you need a decent amount of water!

I am quite interested to hear if the Super Rinse or Extra Rinse on your Insight washers increase the water level at all?? On my 6kg Zanussi - Electrolux you get extra water added to rinses when you use Super Rinse, So i am just wondering if they have carried on the same trend

Pic below shows rinse water levels with Super Rinse added

Hope you have better luck with you next machine

Richard

Richard

View attachment 9-30-2007-08-05-26--samsungfl.jpg

 

[samsungfl]

OK The picture didn't work the first time, I'll try again LOL