Why a Miele?

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mieleforever

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Jan 12, 2011
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So like I said in my Previous post, I own a Miele washer and dryer, so now that I have bought it why did I just spend a rediculous amount on them? Can anybody support my purchase with some arguments that it is not such a bad washer and dryer.

regards
 
Miele washing machines are solid, with carefully crafted components and backed by a long history of reliability, cycles are usually shorter than many competitor brands and clean well.

But I wouldn't ever consider buying one of them!

1- I don't care for a machine to last 20 or more years, 10 for me is all right, God only knows what they're going to invent in another decade.

2- The styling of all Miele appliances is horrible, full stop.

3- They're not made in Italy, I avoid buying stuff that isn't made locally.

4- They tend to use more energy compared to other machines even if they're in the same energy class (at least according to Altroconsumo).

5- I have cats and dogs and don't use a dryer, so the honeycomb drum would only leave more hair than a standard perforated drum
 
Why wonder?

Whatever the reason why you bought your Miele set, you did it, and now you cannot undo it.
If you are reasonably happy (and I suppose you are) why not simply enjoying what is good in your set and accepting what you maybe like less as an inevitable compromise?
Because yes: even Miele is a compromise...
 
Six years later after I "converted", I'm still as happy with mine as I was the first day I got it.  When I first bought it I wasn't sure if I should cancel the order or not as I had a perfectly fine AEG Oko Lavamat that was only just over a year old, and thought the same as most others -what more can it do that the AEG can't?  However I was literally converted overnight... For me, it's the best everyday washer I've had, quiet, quick, and always cleans/rinses well even on the short cycles.  I did have an itch for something different, and whilst the machine I used in this flat for a while when I first moved in was nice to use just because it was different, I really started to miss the Miele so put it in...  That, and the one my mum has is the only washer that she hasn't managed to pretty much kill, and it's rolling on for 5 years heavy use now with no problems...

 

Bear in mind that along with Bosch, Miele have always been in Which?'s best buy recommendations here, and have been for years.  They aren't shiny, they don't come in 5 colours, and they don't let you alter the orbit path of the International Space Station, but they do their job and they do it very well.

 

Somebody mentioned styling... to me I actually like the straight, precise look of the Traditional series machines... must be the architect in me.  :-)  BTW the Honeycomb drum shouldn't pose you with any problems either, mum's house has enough animals for it to be opened as a zoo, and never had a problem with dog/cat hairs etc.

 

My parents had a couple issues with the tumble dryer when they first got it, from what mum's told me there hasn't been any problems with it lately and it's just fine.

 

I see you're in South Africa - I imagine a high part of your purchase price was probably due to shipping etc.

 

They aren't for everybody - otherwise everybody would have one - and the price of some of the high end models is enough to make most people cry, but they are really good, well thought-out machines and (depending where you bought it from) well worth the price.  I'm a fan of most other washers as much as anybody else is, and own/am interested in several brands... but if I could have only one brand throughout, and money was no object, it would be Miele everytime.  (Or perhaps a V-Zug, seeming as money would be no object, but I digress...)

 

I probably sound like a salesman, or perhaps more of a cult leader lol, but seriously - don't worry about your purchase... :-)

 

Jon

[this post was last edited: 2/12/2011-10:29]
 
Only 20 years?  I hope mine lasts 40!  I wouldn't even think about any other current machine on the market and I can't imagine what kind of trash will pass as a washer in another decade.
 
Miele again!

Well you know what you probably are right, I resentely went to an old car, motor show, and wow there were such a lot of beautiful cars there, but again the ones that stood out to me were the Mercedes Benz's. One cannot argue that when they set out to build the 600, and I am not talking about the S600, I am talking about the 600, if you dont know it then I suggest you google it. Bottom line these cars were designed and build in 1969 up until 1981 they had no equal, some even go so far as to say that up until the newest Maybach was created there were no other car like it. One of the most beautiful features on the 600 is the hydrolics. Everything in that car is hydrolically operated, even the windows, and was driven by the likes of Chanel, John Lennon, Elvis, and yes a few dictators the likes of Saddam Hoesein. back to my point Lavamat jon, I have come to accept that there are very few equals in the Washing machine industry, when it comes to Miele, and am very glad that I shelled out that money for it, I have gone further and bought two Miele Vacuum cleaners as well, one for the home and one for the office (our old AEG System Pro died), even there it seems that these machines have very little to compare them to. For one they are so quiet and dont leave a crum or dust spec.

So thank you very much for all of your input I really do appreciate it very much and is very much enjoying my purchase.

Regards
 
I agree with Gabriele

I must admit that I have never owned a Miele. As for AEG, I had a Lavamat 64 SL, but hated it as it always chopped holes in the floor. My mom had a Lavamat 540 for 27 years. When it died, spares were not availlable. The new AEG Electrolux machines only seem to last 5 years before the spider breaks. In contrast, Indesit spares are readily availlable & reasonably priced.
Today, I did a marathon wash: curtains: 2 heavy drops & 3 towels in the 2009 Samsung 8kg T/L: 47 minutes. 2 heavy drops in the 1990 Indesit Limpiatre Inox 5.5kg: 1h20m & 2 light drops in the 1979 Indesit L8: 1h25m. Line drying took 1.5 hrs for the Samsung (740 rpm), 2 hrs for the Limpatre (600 rpm) & 2.5 hrs for the L8 (380 rpm)
 
I bought a BOL Miele because I was fed up of having to replace a washer every two years ( am hard on washers ). I wish I'd bought on years ago!!! I LOVE the fact that it cleans superbly in a short time, never messes about balancing for a spin and is quiet. I just need to save up for the matching dryer now!!!! I've had my Miele for two years and 3 months and have never tired of it yet.

paulc++2-13-2011-11-49-55.jpg
 
Hi mieleforever, my 4 cents are on the thread 31549 *My "new" Miele toplader"

sorry, can't link it as it is still an active thread
 
Miele T8302 dryer

This is my new Miele T8302 Vented Dryer i have had it now for about 3 months it replaced my Miele Condencer Dryer T4262C (the condencer dryer has gone to my mums house) im supprised how quick the machine drys a load compared to the old one that it replaced.

NorthernMary

northernmary++2-14-2011-04-16-46.jpg
 
Miele W3033

Here is my W3033 washer I got just over 1 year ago. I 100% love it and would not trade it for anything! It was pricey, at $2000.

vacfanatic++2-14-2011-23-21-4.jpg
 
Why buy a Miele...
for me there are countless pros to buy a Miele. Since I was a child I always had Miele appliances. Using them day in and day out will tell you why buy Miele. They are sturdy and you can feel it just rotating the knobs or pushing the buttons. No washers that meeow as they were dieing or shake as they were haunted,no dishwashers that wash your dishes only if you wash them before. I could speak also about the wonderful ovens, the efficient vacuum cleaners,the induction hobs... I can see the differencies with other brands each time I repair a washer. Other machines, especially those made in Italy, cost little money but worth even less. They are built to disgregate themselves in few years. Once we produced fair appliances but certainly not now. We talk about environment protection but with such disposable products we only contribute to produce rubbish. A Miele will last a medium of 20 years, during this time a normal household will have to deal with for or five machines that will pile up at the landfill. Miele will wash and rinse at the highest standards with a fair amount of water while others claim to wash with ridiculous amount of water just to discover, when you get clothes out ,that parts of them are neither wet (It happened to a friend of mine with a famous italian brand washer) or they get out with the "soapy" feeling...
A good machine like a Miele will wash at the best no matter how many things they will invent in the years ahead. With a Miele you're absolutely future proof. And don't forget the aesthetic point of view. Mieles produce washers in three lines, the classical for those who appreciate the classic style,the modern and the young style. Have a look at the other brands with theirs bells and whistles and flimsy plastics. It seems knobs will fall in your hand the first time you turn them! I have a W4446 and it's absolutely fabulous but my 30 y.o. Automatic W 439 washes as well as this one.
Now that you have a Miele you'll not regret the choice

bewitched++2-15-2011-01-01-15.jpg
 
Tradeoffs

A 24" frame Miele W3033 to my home would be 2049 via mailorder via AJ Madison. I am not sure if that free shipping is to drop it one ones road or hauls it up my steep driveway and get it into the house.

With buying a Thanksgiving Nov 2010 sale Home Depot washer, one has free delivery plus this includes installation and hauling away of the old one if wanted. But one has the local state 7 percent sales tax too. Last Nov a top load Amana was 239 dollars, that is 256 with tax. That is one eighth the price of a Miele. ie one could have 8 TL washers delivered for the price of one mail order high end 24" small Miele. Here I just got a LG for 599 marked down from 899; ie 641 with tax. If it lasts 5 years I will be happy. The Miele would have to last 16 years, scary since nobody locally has one or has seen one or worked on one.
 
It's not just about money...

3beltwesty, your entire argument is predicated on financial return. Many times the decision to buy a high-end brand is not about dollars and cents, but about the quality you are getting for that money. Many people would rather pay more for a higher quality product from a socially responsible company that manufactures products locally. I'm sure Europeans would rather pay more for a domestically produced product than pay less for something made in Asia.

It's unfortunate, but the "cheap at all costs" mentality of Americans is ruining the planet. By all means enjoy your 8 top loaders that waste gargantuan amounts of water and are made at the lowest possible cost using the lowest quality components. I'm perfectly happy with my Miele and the amount of money I paid for it. You see, I'm one of those people who prefers quality over quantity. It shouldn't always be about money - if it were, we would never make any progress as a society.
 
Andrew - nice to see you have the American younger cousin of my machine ;-).

 

Nice to see shots of various Mieles... what's also remarkable is how little the Traditional style of machines have changed over the years... Peter's 1918 wouldn't look out of place in the Miele range if sold today.

 

AZREO... welcome to the forum!

 

Take care guys,

 

Jon

 

My parents' Miele:

lavamat_jon++2-15-2011-19-41-30.jpg
 
It's unfortunate, but the "cheap at all costs" mentality of Americans is ruining the planet. By all means enjoy your 8 top loaders that waste gargantuan amounts of water and are made at the lowest possible cost using the lowest quality components. I'm perfectly happy with my Miele and the amount of money I paid for it. You see, I'm one of those people who prefers quality over quantity. It shouldn't always be about money - if it were, we would never make any progress as a society.


Some people just don't have the money to spend on a Miele machine. I have NEVER seen a Miele machine in person. Most American people just want a machine to wash their clothes. I personally don't see a point to spend that much on such a small machine, to which the machine itself is imported. Also cost of the parts and repairs is just out of this world. It's like having a Mercedes vs. a Ford both products provide you with transportation, except with Mercedes you pay several times more for parts, repairs, and the vehicle itself. If you are going to spend several thousand on a washing machine(as what the Miele costs) You might as well buy a REAL commercial machine. I like the TL too and I have a few. I prefer quality over quantity too, else why would I have Wascomat, Ipso and Primus machine as my daily drivers. Those are made FAR better than the wimpy Miele machines. And YES, boy do they use some water. NOT only REAL water, but lots of 3 phase 240V electricity. They make BIG Noises, and shake the concrete floor that they are bolted too. I guess that make me resource waster...SPLASH SPLASH, SO BE IT!! I HAVE CLEAN CLOTHES AND HEAVY DUTY MACHINES FOR SUPERIOR IN QUALITY THAN THE MIELE. Hopefully one day John(combo52) will come through for me with a Miele that comes in his shop because it's busted.
 
Lol. If you've never seen a Miele (or other high quality European brand) machine in person then how can you make the assumption they are wimpy? They may be a luxury item in the US but that is not the subject of this thread, and in Europe they are highly respected as a brand... That's like me casting a judgment on Speed Queen washers which I cannot do as I have no experience on which to base an opinion.

Fwiw, Miele sell their design in a commercial version, as well as specifically designed washer extractors so they are up there with others when it comes to laundry know how. Another nice thing about Miele machines that you wouldnt know seeming as you've never seen/used one is the ability to add water if one so wishes, which give rinse levels up the door not unlike commercial or older domestic machines. Scroll up and look at the pictures for yourself... Every single machine has a water plus button. Not that I use it too much - I can have a full load washed and rinsed in 42l of water and have the whites to prove it :-).

Yes, we know they are a rare brand in the US. And? Lets get back to enjoying and sharing which is what the thread is about, if you don't like the machines then simply don't post, and at least have valid reasoning before making incorrect points.

Take care,

Jon
 
umm... Jon, I'm not saying that I don't like the Miele machines, I'm saying that they are big time over priced. Just by looking at the pictures of miele machines vs like SQ, Dexter, milnor and the such that the little dinky Mieles are just not made as good. Yes, I know Miele makes a commercial machine too, not talking about those. But....The commercial Mieles I have found to be MUCH more expensive than the average commercial machine too. For example I can purchase a brand new Wascomat W630 for ~$3,886 the equivalent(or near) Miele Professional cost somewhere ~$13,000. The Dexters, Continentals, Wasco's allow you to change water levels and programs too. My opinion vs. yours. SPLASH SPLASH!!!!!!
 
If you like quality over quantity, then you wouldn't have an Ipso and a Primus machine!

 

Besides, you are talking apples vs. oranges.  You cannot compare a commercial hardmount to a domestic softmount.  Of course, they are made better!  But if you want to put a SQ home washer against a Miele, there is no contest.
 
If you like quality over quantity, then you wouldn't have an Ipso and a Primus machine!

I guess I could say the same thing about you and those Wasco Dryers you have!
 
Oh dear.....

Firstly, experience of a particular product is always preferable if being critical of its performance or build....

 

Secondly, car prices are not an indication of how much appliances cost...

 

A Mercedes of the same specification here costs approximately 300% of the cost in the US, yet I can buy a Miele washer for US$1700....

 

Miele are world renown for the quality of their products be they washers, dryers, cooking or floor care. You could ask people in every country to name what Miele make and most could name at least 2 items from the above. Ask about Wascomat and I reckon most would say 'a garbage disposal', not a washer/dryer/extractor.

 

Every house that can fit a 24" washer, can fit a Miele. Not every house that can do that, can fit a Wascomat....

 

Knowing that Miele have built their reputation as being a manufacturer of quality appliances, I'd be prepared to spend that money rather than replace 4, 5 or 6 cheaper machines....

 

I can't tell you how much I appreciate that Miele is STILL in the hands of the original family......over 60 family members of the Miele and Zinkann families are the shareholders. 
 
You can compare commercial hard and softmounts to a Miele. Having looked at the commercial quality machines and almost ended up buying a Continental EH030. Forget the ugly factor because some commercial equipment is pretty good looking. Forget the softmount vs hardmount and weight issues (the Continental I had my eye on is about 780lbs) if we look at pure cleaning performance the Mieles would likely win.

Comparing Dexter's line (which is well built) spin and extraction speeds top out around 200Gs which is 760-850RPM. I don't mind having a commercial washer but losing all that water extraction means I would need a commercial dryer.

Their drum perforations are nowhere near as gentle as a Miele's honeycomb drum even at much lower speeds. Try running plush cotton towels and compare the results. The Continental is worse. If you have dress shirts and dress pants the Miele is probably a better investment. If you have silk and the like the Miele is the only choice till you go into gonzo specialized machines or price segments.

In cycle settings the Miele also wins. Now if I had a commercial laundry I would rather have fast washers but here at home I just want results. A good choice of cycles helps that.

As far as warranty goes I'm out $3500 tax and delivery included for a machine and 10 year parts and labor warranty. With my higher than average use I expect it to last between 10-13 years. That's not a bad investment. The Continental starts at that price plus additional for delivery. If I need parts I have to go through a dealer. Not so good.

Lets also not forget even with the smaller capacity Miele does make 27" models. Hope the do better than BSH who are gone from the 27" space. If you don't mind waiting you can get them over in Canada and probably stateside this summer. There is a backlog at the moment and existing customers get first dibs.

Miele is slow to release new models. This years release will be what the first really new North American model in four years? They have been slower to adapt new tech. Just this year they finally got a heat pump dryer. Their sound insulation can leave something to be desired depending on model. And the prices are at the highend of the market. But that's the segment they have targeted.

Finally yes they also make commercial machines and many of them have many more features and programmability compared to the competition. Miele's PW6161 blows the Continental EH030 out of the water. For the kings ransom they charge you would expect them to.

http://mieleprofessional.ca/ca/prof/products/33_13244.htm
 
I've always wanted one! Especially since the can be programmed to use more water. Oh well. I'll probably be sticking with WP since I get a discount from a family member.
 
..."Those are made FAR better than the wimpy Miele machines"...

Supremewirlpol, you said you never saw a Miele in person so how can you judge about their quality? It's the same if one that never saw a Wascomat Ipso or Primus says they are unreliable...
:-)

This is not a race for the winning podium,isn't it?
 
OMG!!!

Believe me, those Wasco dryers are a NIGHTMARE!!!  I didn't buy them; they came with the store.  I don't know why the President keeps saying that there is money available for small businesses, because NO ONE is lending right now!  Been rejected by 5 institutions now to get funding to replace them.  Still looking...
 

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