Which Miele Washers Are Best?

[mielefan]

This is a side thread to # 63565.

I may have to buy another Miele washer if I can't repair my beloved W1903. I've been looking on craigslist and ebay for several weeks now for another 19xx series. However, these vintage 220 volt machines are now fairly rare. Which of the 1900 series was the best and worth paying a premium for? For some reason, the 1926 and 1986 are larger in depth. From what I've read, the 1930 may be the best.

Someone is selling the flat paneled W119 washer, no window. How long ago was that made and was that a good machine?

Also, should I run self-diagnostics at the sellers home when buying a used Miele?

 

[launderess]

Have seen more than a few 1900 series washers

With or without matching dryers on CL over the past several months. Problem as always is they usually aren't near where one lives. *LOL*

There is also the fact it takes a great leap of faith to purchase a Miele washer sight unseen and have it shipped several states. Unless NIB you need the shipping struts properly reinserted and the unit otherwise prepared/crated for shipment. Then you have the cost of shifting these heavy beasts.

After the 1900 series opinions vary about the 1100/1200 series. Some love them others feel too much user control was taken away in favor of set cycles/programs. The 3000 and 4000 series you already know about so....

Problem with finding another 1900 series washer is unless it is coming from a very low use household you are talking about an appliance nearing the end of it's usable life. Not saying the thing wont' work flawlessly but chances are greater it will need things like new shocks, perhaps a bearing replacement, etc...

Have seen 1900 series washers offered on CL and elsewhere for very dear money but with "needs new shocks". Or, "makes noise on spinning/bearing shot".... For this people wanted two, three, four or more hundred dollars to get a machine that is basically unusable.

All this being said the only real deal killer for Moi at least would be bearings gone or on their way out. Some can and have done such a repair at home but that isn't an option here. Miele USA can but often refuses to do such work on non-warranty machines even if one begs on bended knee. Even if they do consent the machine must be shipped back to New Jersey, work done, then sent back. At Miele's rates they correctly point out you could buy one or possibly two new machines.

Only true worthy substitute one likes for the 1900 series would be the "Little Giant" washers. You can often find such units a near give away prices (selling for only $1,000-$2,000, which is a steep discount from their MSRP. Problem with the LG are same as with Miele 1900 and other washers except 3000 series; the voltage requirements. Few homes have the power requirements for the Little Giant washers and given their limited capacity and cycle choices aren't interested in spending to have electrical service upgraded.

Keep searching CL from say Delaware to Maine, sooner or later a 1900 series washer will pop up.

 

[mielefan]

Thanks very much Launderess!!

What about the Speed Queen washers. They make a front loader with mechanical controls (AFN50RSP113TW01). Are all Speed Queens the same quality and are they about as good as the current Miele 3xxx series? This model goes for around $ 1800 dollars.

 

[launderess]

No Direct Knowledge of SQ Front Loaders

Outside of the large one's I use at local laundromat. Others will have to answer.

One thing didn't like about SQ washers then and perhaps now is the lack of full spins between rinses. The laundromat machines while new with modern electronic controls and so forth only do a series of pulse spins between at least the first two rinses. There are only three total so am not that impressed. Then of course SQ does not offer a domestic washer with heating.

In a perfect world would keep my Miele 1070 and Oko-Lavamat for "special" things and or when stain removal requires a profile wash. For large/bulky loads and or where having boil wash capability isn't needed a SQ or similar quasi commercial machine.

Toyed with getting a Miele 4000 series both before they left the market and when seen on CL... However the machines had too many problems and was put off the idea..

Again keep your eyes peeled, a Miele 1900 series or even 1100 or 1200 will crop up sooner or later. You can use as a secondary to take some of the work off the 1903, once you get it running that is.

Since you have the 220v connection at the ready you might also consider an old school Asko washer.

 

[mieleforever]

I can recomend our Miele, it is a Miele 5740, it has been running flawlessly for the last almost six years. I know that it is not really a long time but during that period our family have doubled and it keeps up with our daily loads of laundry.

The machine really cleans deep and good white things like linnen serviettes will always emerge bright and clean without the use of bleach, we only use the 60 degree Celsius cycle on bedding, towels and stuff like serviettes, if something is really dirty I will apply the 90 degree celsius (194 Fahrenheit)wash, that is used usually with children that has soiled something.

We will never go back to anything else our previous washer was a Samsung fl, but it had some serious balancing issues.

Further to that my sister and her husband has a Bosh, but the jump in built quality and sheer robustness from the Miele down to the Bosch is lightyears and it just does not seem as durable. Well only time will tell if at the end of the day newer Mieles are as reliable as their predecessors.

Hope that you find yours.

Regards