“Everything built to a price”

I think it’s true to say farmers tend to know a thing or two about reliability and durability. After all in their line of work you need stuff you can depend on and over at the Farming Forum member Don Mackay has turned the discussion to the subject of washing machine reliability.

When reparing an old machine some time ago, he was told by a local whitegoods dealer that apart from Miele, many washers are build down to a price and that is reflected in the cost and frequency of servicing to which Fendtdriver recounts a now familiar tale of reparing and replacing other brands of washing machine.

Andybk points out “Miele are a different class designed for 10 years everyday use (10 year guarantee with many), and will probably last 20 or more, everything is servicable and main drum carrier is cast iron”, a sentiment that is supported by Longwool, whose previous washer “didn’t last long” and was ultimately replaced with Miele washing machine and dishwasher “that has now done over 10 years of service…to buy anything else is false economy in my opinion”.

If you’ve got any thoughts on washing machine reliability and agree with the Snail’s original statement that everything’s built to a price, pop over to the forum and have your say.

Brief encounters - Miele W3922 WPS washing machine review

Better late than never is Reviewer999’s thought in this latest review of the Miele W3922 WPS washing machine over at Ciao!.

This being their first Miele, Reviewer999 writes that they “wish we had bought one years ago” and have been very impressed with the quality and quietness of the machine’s cycles. The thirty-minute express wash programme is a particularly useful “when you are pushed for time…and gives excellent results”. While they comment that “it is expensive” Reviewer999 believes it to be “worth it for the quality and the 10 year parts and labour guarantee”.

Jump across to Ciao! to read the full write-up and if you find it useful why not rate the review.

New washing machine advice

Like Fool.co.uk, Overclockers UK is another community full of worldly-wise heads whose recommendations among its members are given with the up-most consideration of the facts.

This has been demonstrated once again by the suggestions given to malc30 in his pursuit of a new washing machine. While the eminently quotable Which? is again touted as a good starting point, the recommendations for particular brands come in thick and fast: Bosch, Gorenje, Hotpoint, Whirlpool and Zanussi all have their advocates, but the debate ultimately revolves around the false economy of buying a cheaper machine.

Jez is the first to sing Miele’s praises citing his girlfriend’s parent’s twenty year-old Miele which according to them “has never had to even be looked at…thats with a family of 7, since new”, while Ninjabib describes Miele as “the Rolls Royce of the white goods industry. If you can stretch to one get one, think they all come with 10 yrs full guarantee as standard if i remember rightly”

This last point turns the conversation to the issue of guarantees and extended warranties, which as always, makes interesting reading. Jump over to the forum and have your say.

Time to replace an old Bosch washing machine

Unbefitting their ‘fools’ moniker, members of Fool.co.uk are no mugs when it comes to parting with their hard-earned cash. That’s why when one of their number looks for a product recommendation, the suggestions will be carefully weighted and based on plenty of personal experience.

One such is ArchieTrave whose old Bosch Exccel has just about washed its last load. “Grateful for any thoughts”, he wants a reliable washer that’s “relatively simple to use”, has a “decent spin speed” and a “timer so we can set to wash in the early hours on Economy 7″.

Fool Gwynee recommends visiting all-round whitegoods expert Washerhelp.co.uk for his independent reviews and buying advice on a number of brands including Miele, while jfgw echoes the overall Miele sentiment of “good but expensive.”

Despite initial cost concerns, the subject of Miele’s reputation for reliability coupled with lengthy guarantees is highlighted for extra piece of mind. As RaspberryFool ultimately points out: “Whilst our Bosch has been fairly reliable, it has needed the engineer out 3 times in 6 years. Add the costs of those visits up and it would nearly pay for a new machine! We will certainly consider a Miele next time if it means 10 years of peace of mind.”

Jump across to Fool.co.uk to pick up on the rest of the conversation.

Miele W3922 vs. ISE10 revisited

Back in July we covered a story over on UK Whitegoods about a passionate discussion on which was the best washing machine: the Miele W3922 or the ISE10?

Five months on and broadswordsman was in urgent need of a new machine after his Bosch bit the dust. After reading through the lengthy previous discussion and despite his reservations over “the unsubstantiated spares price arguments without a definitive comparison” on the ISE10 he was “prepared to take that on trust particularly as Miele prices are so high.”

Convinced it was the best choice he set about making his purchase, however this is where his problems began. Unable to find a local agent and inspite his attempts at email contact his questions over stock availability and after-sales service remained unanswered. By his own admission: “my heart said ISE10 but my head said Miele” he gave up on ISE10 dealer network and plumped for the Miele. As he concludes: “I guess when the Miele needs repair, it will cost me (after the 10 year guarantee expires) but at least I have confidence it will have the infrastructure to support me.”

You can read the full story over at UK Whitegoods.