Recommend me a washing machine...

[riskyj]

soad said:

I find that the (cheaper end/supermarket own brand) washing powder tends not to fully dissolve - gel is the way forward. Anyone else?

No issues here, although our water is just about the softest in the country so maybe that helps?

[bitchstewie]

Most of what I've read seems to suggest that powder is still best for washing machines but obviously there's a bit of a contradiction there because most of the "DOS" systems look to be liquid based?

Whilst this machine is working I'm taking my time and doing some homework.

It's bizarre but people seem to put videos of washing machine cycles on YouTube and it looks noticeable how different newer machines seem to be to the Bosch I have now.

Might just be a Miele thing but the best way I can put it is it looks a lot more "wet" and the wash cycle looks a bit busier than it does on this one that seems a very traditional "agitate left a bit, agitate right a bit" rinse and repeat type wash.

Has the tech really moved on that much or is it just a cheap machine v a more expensive one?

[TEKNOPUG]

The tech is better on the more expensive machine, (despite all the people saying that they're all the same and a £200 machine works just as well as one costing X5 as much.....) that's why it's more expensive

[dontlookdown]

My understanding is that the drive to use less energy and less water per wash means that cycles are now longer, cooler and there is relatively more drum motion to 'rub' the clothes clean.

Presumably that means that fabric will wear more as a result (but perhaps keep their colour better). I'm no expert though.

[bitchstewie]

Yeah what I'm trying to work out is if the washing tech on a £1000 Miele is actually better than on a £729 one and then on an £899 one and so on.

Even using their own "compare" function the differences are stuff that I've never even thought of as there isn't a family washing three loads a day with "busy lifestyles" etc. it's a washing machine that lives in the garage.

What wouldn't a WCA030 do that a WED025 does?

And is there actually a benefit spending a few hundred quid more on a WED665

I just need a good quality washing that works well and will last.

Every bloody manufacturer seems to make about 20 things that all do similar things.

[TEKNOPUG]

Set a budget, go on the Miele Outlet site, buy the machine that comes closest to your budget. Done.

[CorradoTDI]

TEKNOPUG said:

Set a budget, go on the Miele Outlet site, buy the machine that comes closest to your budget. Done.

Yep, WCA030 currently £449!

[bitchstewie]

Anyone know how the Miele outlet works in practice?

I'm cautious of returned/refurbished machines and the whole "may have cosmetic damage" thing.

Anyone know how much they charge to install and deliver and if they can take old appliances away?

I take TEKNOPUGs point but the whole issue here but there isn't really a budget because I could spend £500 or I could spend £1500 if I thought I could justify it and that I was going to benefit from what the more expensive machine did.

But I don't do massive loads of washing and don't need an app on my phone telling me my washing has finished and I'm not super fussed about having to buy TwinDos bottles forever unless someone is going to tell me there's a massive benefit over normal washing powder.

[TEKNOPUG]

bhstewie said:

What wouldn't a WCA030 do that a WED025 does?

And is there actually a benefit spending a few hundred quid more on a WED665

The 30 has an 8kg load, the 25 is only 7kg.

The 665 has TwinDos, so you load in the detergent bottles and the machine works out the dosage for you. You'd need to replace them a couple of times a year.

[CorradoTDI]

bhstewie said:

Anyone know how the Miele outlet works in practice?

I'm cautious of returned/refurbished machines and the whole "may have cosmetic damage" thing.

Anyone know how much they charge to install and deliver and if they can take old appliances away?

I take TEKNOPUGs point but the whole issue here but there isn't really a budget because I could spend £500 or I could spend £1500 if I thought I could justify it and that I was going to benefit from what the more expensive machine did.

But I don't do massive loads of washing and don't need an app on my phone telling me my washing has finished and I'm not super fussed about having to buy TwinDos bottles forever unless someone is going to tell me there's a massive benefit over normal washing powder.

I've had a few off there... you need to be quick to secure something and that list gets updated daily.

The use Arrow XL to deliver and they are good - I think when you place the order you choose a delivery date that fits when they will be in your area.

Last appliance was a washer for my dad a few months ago - it was B grade but apart from having no packaging (and they re-package it) it was brand new, no marks or scratches, no signs of use or of it ever being installed and 40% cheaper than John Lewis.

Delivery was included in the price and you register it like a new appliance so 2 years warranty. We paid £10 to take the old Bosch away but I think it's free if it's Miele.

[TEKNOPUG]

The B2 washing machine we got had a tiny (like 5mm) chip of paint missing from the corner. The B1 dryer was discontinued stock, so brand new. We saved over a grand in total on the 2. I can't remember whether they offered a fitting service, I think they did and it was £25. It will say when you order but it's just a plug and a water pipe screwed on the back, hardly rocket science, so I didn't bother. £10 to remove as said. You can go to the Abingdon store to view, otherwise you are buying blind. But as yours will be living in the garage, any cosmetic damage seems moot. The 2 key things are you get the same warranty as new and you cannot reject the machine once it is delivered (unless it obviously faulty and you claim on the warranty). I got loads of free detergents and things with mine. Stock list changes daily.

From the website:

A Grade Appliances: These products are from new stock and have been discontinued. They are still in their original packaging and carry any current applicable promotions. Products are priced at a clearance rate and are not eligible for any further discounts.

B1 Grade Appliances: These are products that are unused but are unboxed and may or may not have their original internal packaging. These products will not have signs of use or have any scratches or dents and will carry any current applicable promotions.

B2 Grade Appliances: These are products that may have been used for display or demonstration or have been returned to Miele with less than 50 hours of use. Appliances will be unboxed and can have signs of use, this may include small marks, scratches or dents. These products are exempt from any current applicable promotions.

B3 Grade Appliances: These are products that have been returned to Miele and may have more than 50 hours of use. Appliances are unboxed and may have some damage such as scratches or dents. These products are exempt from any current applicable promotions.

Edited by TEKNOPUG on Sunday 31st March 11:25

[TEKNOPUG]

bhstewie said:

Anyone know how the Miele outlet works in practice?

I'm cautious of returned/refurbished machines and the whole "may have cosmetic damage" thing.

Anyone know how much they charge to install and deliver and if they can take old appliances away?

I take TEKNOPUGs point but the whole issue here but there isn't really a budget because I could spend £500 or I could spend £1500 if I thought I could justify it and that I was going to benefit from what the more expensive machine did.

But I don't do massive loads of washing and don't need an app on my phone telling me my washing has finished and I'm not super fussed about having to buy TwinDos bottles forever unless someone is going to tell me there's a massive benefit over normal washing powder.

You can fill the TwinDos bottles with your own detergent if you prefer. The benefit is convenience, just load the was and set the programme but also performance as the machine automatically adjusts the quantity of detergent based on load, material type, water hardness and programme. It also adds detergent and set times during the programme, rather than the whole lot going in from the beginning. So you are reducing the amount that you use. You can also adjust the quantity yourself.

[Colonel Cupcake]

soad said:

I find that the (cheaper end/supermarket own brand) washing powder tends not to fully dissolve - gel is the way forward. Anyone else?

If it is not fully dissolving, you are probably using too much.

Same as continually spooning salt into a jug of water. Eventually the salt will stop dissolving.

[98elise]

Cheib said:

bhstewie said:

And to be fair this won't be used for three full loads a day every day or anything bonkers.

Just a few loads a week and ideally cleans well and is reliable.

I could do the man maths to spend say £800 on a Miele instead of £500 on something else IF it's worth it.

But I honestly don't need or care much about a lot of the features people have talked about

The most important feature is reliability…nothing else matters !

Maybe to you, but I wanted certain features. My mothers machine takes about 2 hours to do a standard wash and has few options Mine takes 1 hour for a normal wash but also has a 15 minute wash. Each wash is cusromisable and I use that regularly. Stuff like drying is automated, it works out the right time from the weight.

[bitchstewie]

TEKNOPUG said:

You can fill the TwinDos bottles with your own detergent if you prefer. The benefit is convenience, just load the was and set the programme but also performance as the machine automatically adjusts the quantity of detergent based on load, material type, water hardness and programme. It also adds detergent and set times during the programme, rather than the whole lot going in from the beginning. So you are reducing the amount that you use. You can also adjust the quantity yourself.

Thank you

Doing a bit of reading on TwinDos and it does look interesting and like something that is perhaps worth having.

Do their cartridges last until empty as I'm seeing some comments online that suggest they last three months but it's not clear if that's an average or some sort of hard coded "replace cartridge now" thing?

I guess the other thing is it's one more thing to potentially go wrong.

See how easy it is to creep up from the £729 entry level to a grand?

[TEKNOPUG]

They work until they are about 95% empty. How long they last depends entirely on frequency of washing, load sizes, programmes, water hardness etc. You can check on the app how much is left, it also notified you in advance. Or you can simply remove one and look. There is no hard coded time. Our machine runs every day on average and I probably get through 3 a year, maybe less. We have a water softener so I have greatly reduced the dosage quantity.

You don't have to use them. It still has a drawer for powder and conditioner or you can chuck detergent in the drum.

[dickymint]

bhstewie said:

TEKNOPUG said:

You can fill the TwinDos bottles with your own detergent if you prefer. The benefit is convenience, just load the was and set the programme but also performance as the machine automatically adjusts the quantity of detergent based on load, material type, water hardness and programme. It also adds detergent and set times during the programme, rather than the whole lot going in from the beginning. So you are reducing the amount that you use. You can also adjust the quantity yourself.

Thank you

Doing a bit of reading on TwinDos and it does look interesting and like something that is perhaps worth having.

Do their cartridges last until empty as I'm seeing some comments online that suggest they last three months but it's not clear if that's an average or some sort of hard coded "replace cartridge now" thing?

I guess the other thing is it's one more thing to potentially go wrong.

See how easy it is to creep up from the £729 entry level to a grand?

With LG you just fill up the reservoirs with what you want... ezDispense

https://www.lg.com/au/support/product-help/CT20088...

[bitchstewie]

One thing I did find out today is the entry level Miele machines apparently have a plastic outer drum.

I'm not going to pretend to know exactly why that's not considered to be as good as a stainless outer drum but it apparently it isn't.

[TCruise]

Depends where the washing machine is in your house.

Also, if it is on a suspended wooden floor or not.

If it's somewhere that you will hear it, or, it is on a suspended floor - then SPEND MONEY on getting something silent that doesn't vibrate.

AEG or Miele.

(Possibly Siemens as well)

[mattybrown]

We have a Miele WER865WPS, Two years minus two days so just in warranty it developed a non repairable fault the twin dos system had been leaking and according to the engineer the bottom of the machine had rusted. Like for like replacement saved a small fortune, but took over a month to sort not ideal with a young family.

Also have a Miele dishwasher that has had many parts replaced. My Miele experience is not what I had hoped it would be. Rubbish app that has a call out option that doesn’t have anyone monitoring it, when you call up you would be lucky to get anyone out to you in less than two weeks and then when they tell you you need new parts that’s another two weeks…