Pressure Washer - Karcher or Nilfisk?

Pressure Washer - Karcher or Nilfisk?

Author
Discussion

Smoggy99

Original Poster:

26 posts

60 months

Monday 15th February 2021
quotequote all
Hi,

I currently have a Karcher K5 premium which is around 4-5 years old, im looking to replace with a similar machine or maybe a Nilfisk.

It will be used mainly for the weekly car wash and the odd patio clean, any advice welcomed.

https://www.cleanstore.co.uk/products/Product.asp?...

https://www.cleanstore.co.uk/products/Product.asp?...

markiii

3,566 posts

193 months

Monday 15th February 2021
quotequote all
Kranzle

Novexx

346 posts

73 months

Tuesday 16th February 2021
quotequote all
Nilfisk - I've been running the earlier version of the P180 for around 5 years now, more than powerful enough, completely reliable & a bit tougher than Karcher.

beambeam1

1,006 posts

42 months

Wednesday 17th February 2021
quotequote all
Nilfisk over Karcher. I believe until you get to the more premium versions Karcher only feature plastic internals which can go brittle and break over a cold winter. I've had nothing but positive experience from my £60 C110 bought in May 2018. My neighbour wanted one after seeing me snowfoam my car then my parents followed suit. My Amazon history shows me buying three over the course of a week!

I've since upgraded the hose to a much longer rubber one with QR fittings, upgraded to a short gun instead of using the lance and a few other bits and bobs. Probably into this trusty machine for £110-£120 now and very happy.

d_a_n1979

8,102 posts

71 months

Thursday 18th February 2021
quotequote all
Nilfisk for me

I've got a C120 and had it for nearly 10 years now; been faultless

Both father & father in. law have been through various Karchers; lots of issues and all ended up in the bin.

Now both with Nilfisk and zero issues

For every day car washing and power washing of drives/garden flagged areas etc, the C120 IMO is more than enough

Shanksy87

370 posts

121 months

Thursday 18th February 2021
quotequote all
Buy whichever has the longest warranty for your budget. The difference in quality and longevity is much over muchness with them designed to last a few years before going in the bin, much like lawn mowers and other moderately priced domestic appliances that aren't made for the commercial market. This doesn't mean you won't get 10+ years of use from a £50 pressure washer (I did), but if you get 1 then don't be surprised, warranty is king.

If you can justify it the Kranzle recommended by markiii will last forever, is 100% serviceable and offers 50% more flow rate than the best of the domestic brands.

Ranger 6

7,042 posts

248 months

Thursday 18th February 2021
quotequote all
beambeam1 said:
Nilfisk over Karcher.
+1 thumbup

Smoggy99

Original Poster:

26 posts

60 months

Thursday 18th February 2021
quotequote all
Gents.....thanks for the info I will look at all options.

Mikebentley

6,043 posts

139 months

Thursday 18th February 2021
quotequote all
fking K4 Karcher died last week. Really pissed with buy, rinse, break repeat cycle. Is the fitting the same shape for attaching my snow foam attachment on a Nilfisk? I really fancy a Nilfisk this time and want to avoid buying new snow foam equipment.

d_a_n1979

8,102 posts

71 months

Friday 19th February 2021
quotequote all
Mikebentley said:
fking K4 Karcher died last week. Really pissed with buy, rinse, break repeat cycle. Is the fitting the same shape for attaching my snow foam attachment on a Nilfisk? I really fancy a Nilfisk this time and want to avoid buying new snow foam equipment.
No; unfortunately not.

But; if the attachments are screw on; that's easy enough to solve

Escort3500

11,830 posts

144 months

Sunday 21st February 2021
quotequote all
I’ve had both and the Nilfisk is far better - more reliable and lasts longer. My mid-range Karcher failed 10 days out warranty and they weren’t interested; they were actually quite rude when I called them to express my disappointment and ask whether they’d consider some goodwill on a new one.

Replaced with a Nilfisk 180 which has been brilliant over the last few years.

Edited by Escort3500 on Monday 22 February 06:34


Edited by Escort3500 on Monday 22 February 06:35

Dr Nookie

234 posts

199 months

Sunday 21st February 2021
quotequote all
Nilfisk for me.


Pookie123

842 posts

137 months

Monday 22nd February 2021
quotequote all
I’ve had a Nilfisk C120 for over 5 years now and it’s been faultless.

Summit_Detailing

1,876 posts

192 months

Monday 22nd February 2021
quotequote all
Mikebentley said:
fking K4 Karcher died last week. Really pissed with buy, rinse, break repeat cycle. Is the fitting the same shape for attaching my snow foam attachment on a Nilfisk? I really fancy a Nilfisk this time and want to avoid buying new snow foam equipment.
Nifisk connector available here -
https://www.elitecarcare.co.uk/product/kew-alto-ni...

Cheers,

Chris

Tomo1971

1,127 posts

156 months

Sunday 28th February 2021
quotequote all
My K7 died yesterday (leaking from inside) and had resigned to getting a new machine, needed to be a Karcher as have other accessories.

£500 to £600....how f@#king much?

Any way decided to open it up and found a split casing, £16.45 incl postage to replace.

I did get recommended a brand called AVA, made in Norway and uses the same fitting for accessories as Karcher (except the hose).... Looked OK when I did some research.

Mikebentley

6,043 posts

139 months

Sunday 28th February 2021
quotequote all
Well I thought I would try it Saturday to see if I could see what was wrong (K4). It bloody worked perfectly.......I will still plan my escape from Karcher ownership

gsxrblue

203 posts

265 months

Monday 8th March 2021
quotequote all
Nilfisk for me. Must be getting on for 10 years old and still perfect.

bristolbaron

4,762 posts

211 months

Monday 8th March 2021
quotequote all
After a frustrating Sunday clean where more water pissed out of the bottom of my Karcher than out of the gun it was upgrade time. with the induction motor and at £163 from Amazon not far from my £100ish budget. I have foam and a lance coming too, so just over £200 paid for a guarantee it’ll rain all weekend laugh

Captain Answer

1,347 posts

186 months

Tuesday 9th March 2021
quotequote all
Nilfisk washer is still going strong, had it a good few years. Originally had a Karcher but had 2 fail within a couple weeks of recieving and went over to Nilfisk

I looked into upgrading it to a quick release handle but the realised it would be an arse to change back for patio cleaner, and found this instead, just need to get my snow foam lance adapted (or a new one) to make that quick release too https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Nilfisk-1-4-Quick-Relea...

rallye101

1,865 posts

196 months

Wednesday 17th March 2021
quotequote all
Just had a wilks usa rx550i delivered and it looks like a proper bit of kit (allegedly the most powerful electric model on the market, from the build quality it looks it) anyone where I can buy a snow Lance that fits it? Kit on Amazon suggest an M22 connector but I'm not 100% sure