Appliances - Miele vs Siemens vs V-Zug
Discussion
We are in the process of buying an apartment in Switzerland (where we live) which needs a lot of renovation including a new kitchen. I've never done this before and my girlfriend has only bought at the lower end of the range in the UK over a decade ago, so we are pretty clueless.
We went and took a look at the Miele showroom today and came away quite impressed. At the moment we have mainly selected near top of the range items, the exception being the dishwasher, which is somewhere in the middle buying the fridge/freezer from a different brand as Miele don't do an American style (with ice and water dispenser).
We are looking at a washer-dryer as the convenience of dirty clothes becoming clean, dry clothes while we are at work appeals greatly. There's only the two of us, so don't think there will be bandwidth issues and if there is, we can buy a separate dryer later. Ovens will be a normal and a combi-steamer. Double height warming drawer. The hob is induction with downward extraction. Dishwasher will be integrated.
We went to Miele first, because that's where all of our appliances in our rental apartment are, apart from the American fridge/freezer, which is Siemens. We've been very happy with all of them so far. Once I'd priced it all up, using a Swiss price comparison site, I thought it would be interesting to compare with similar from Siemens and it works out about 1/3 cheaper. For further comparison I added the Swiss brand V-Zug in too, although they don't have a directly comparable integrated induction hob/extractor, so I had to spec separately. There isn't a huge amount in it between Miele and V-Zug price wise.
The question is then - Are Miele and V-Zug worth the premium over Siemens and if so why? Bonus points for whether V-Zug is better than Miele or vice-versa. We're comfortable spending the extra if it makes sense and are also happy to mix and match brands where sensible i.e. the ovens and drawer should be the same brand, but the others can differ.
Products and prices below for anyone interested. Prices in CHF which is c. 1.31 to GBP at the moment.
TL;DR Are Miele and V-Zug worth the premium over Siemens? If so, why? Is Miele better than V-Zug
Cheers!
We went and took a look at the Miele showroom today and came away quite impressed. At the moment we have mainly selected near top of the range items, the exception being the dishwasher, which is somewhere in the middle buying the fridge/freezer from a different brand as Miele don't do an American style (with ice and water dispenser).
We are looking at a washer-dryer as the convenience of dirty clothes becoming clean, dry clothes while we are at work appeals greatly. There's only the two of us, so don't think there will be bandwidth issues and if there is, we can buy a separate dryer later. Ovens will be a normal and a combi-steamer. Double height warming drawer. The hob is induction with downward extraction. Dishwasher will be integrated.
We went to Miele first, because that's where all of our appliances in our rental apartment are, apart from the American fridge/freezer, which is Siemens. We've been very happy with all of them so far. Once I'd priced it all up, using a Swiss price comparison site, I thought it would be interesting to compare with similar from Siemens and it works out about 1/3 cheaper. For further comparison I added the Swiss brand V-Zug in too, although they don't have a directly comparable integrated induction hob/extractor, so I had to spec separately. There isn't a huge amount in it between Miele and V-Zug price wise.
The question is then - Are Miele and V-Zug worth the premium over Siemens and if so why? Bonus points for whether V-Zug is better than Miele or vice-versa. We're comfortable spending the extra if it makes sense and are also happy to mix and match brands where sensible i.e. the ovens and drawer should be the same brand, but the others can differ.
Products and prices below for anyone interested. Prices in CHF which is c. 1.31 to GBP at the moment.
TL;DR Are Miele and V-Zug worth the premium over Siemens? If so, why? Is Miele better than V-Zug
Cheers!
I did the Miele Vs and went with the Siemens for a dishwasher and the Samsung for washing machine as they both came with a 5 year warranty. I did call the Siemens/Bosch/Neff customer support for a blockage which was my fault and he fixed it and didn't charge me - so my experience of their customer service is very good.
I don't get the Miele sales pitch of 'tested for 20 years use' when they only offer a 2 year warranty.
My previous experience of combined washer/drier is poor (the clothes came out wet) - I now put my washes on a extra short spin and then put the clothes in a separate drier.
I don't get the Miele sales pitch of 'tested for 20 years use' when they only offer a 2 year warranty.
My previous experience of combined washer/drier is poor (the clothes came out wet) - I now put my washes on a extra short spin and then put the clothes in a separate drier.
Edited by anonymous-user on Thursday 21st December 00:23
We just refurbished our house and went for the top of the Range 7-series appliances throughout. 2x ovens, microwave, coffee machine, dishwasher, gas hob, induction hob and extraction.
What swung it for us was we felt the difference is build quality was not work the 7k premium for Miele and the fact that the user experience and displays on the Siemens was outstanding.
Also the design with the Siemens was much better, cleaner lines etc.
So far very impressed with the 7-series Siemens appliances.
Iceboy
Ps. I think the Range is iq7 or 700 series lol !
What swung it for us was we felt the difference is build quality was not work the 7k premium for Miele and the fact that the user experience and displays on the Siemens was outstanding.
Also the design with the Siemens was much better, cleaner lines etc.
So far very impressed with the 7-series Siemens appliances.
Iceboy
Ps. I think the Range is iq7 or 700 series lol !
Miele commercial stuff on every yacht I've worked on. Consider they get a hammering (especially laundry, min 10hrs/day) they are very reliable, with good serviceability and parts availability. Same for the dishwashers. Their domestic stuff is not great though, probably no better than a cheaper brand, and their vacuum cleaners are rubbish.
We’ve had a Miele washer for a few years and can’t fault it but then we were used to hotpoint breaking every 12 months. Thing to note....we had one delivered by John Lewis and the door rubber seemed out of place and after a call to their customer help line they said it was supposed to be like that....1 test wash later with a couple of towels and the drum is filled with thousands of tiny rubber balls that have rubbed away from the door rubber.
Maybe quality control issue but the new replacement was fine.
We’ve got a Miele vacuum cleaner that’s 7 years old. It’s survived Mrs F overheating it, dropping it down the stairs, the dog peeing on it, kids sitting on it. (Not in that order!)
I’ve “accidentally” hoovered milk up with it and used it outside in the shed in the rain.
It works as well today as the day we got it and well worth it in our eyes.
Edited due to fat fingers
Maybe quality control issue but the new replacement was fine.
We’ve got a Miele vacuum cleaner that’s 7 years old. It’s survived Mrs F overheating it, dropping it down the stairs, the dog peeing on it, kids sitting on it. (Not in that order!)
I’ve “accidentally” hoovered milk up with it and used it outside in the shed in the rain.
It works as well today as the day we got it and well worth it in our eyes.
Edited due to fat fingers
Edited by anonymous-user on Thursday 21st December 09:11
We had a new kitchen in 2010 and were persuaded to go with Siemens for all appliances.
Pyrolytic oven door effectively blew up during pyrolytic cleaning cycle scattering glass throughout kitchen - Siemens excuse was due to kids hanging off over door handle despite being eye level.
Built in Microwave door shattered spontaneously - Siemens said it was due to gravy getting into seam between door and door glass - they wanted £600 to replace microwave door (labour included thankfully!!!)
Siemens 8kg washing machine main bearing went after 4 years - engineer said he he had never seen them go before.
Dishwasher was ok
Pyrolytic oven door effectively blew up during pyrolytic cleaning cycle scattering glass throughout kitchen - Siemens excuse was due to kids hanging off over door handle despite being eye level.
Built in Microwave door shattered spontaneously - Siemens said it was due to gravy getting into seam between door and door glass - they wanted £600 to replace microwave door (labour included thankfully!!!)
Siemens 8kg washing machine main bearing went after 4 years - engineer said he he had never seen them go before.
Dishwasher was ok
Hi Ian,
I think I can also give some perspective for you, as I've experienced all 3 brands here in Switzerland!
First apartment we owned came with V-Zug appliances in the kitchen, and Miele Washer/Dryer stack in the bathroom. All great. My (Swiss) M-i-L swears by Miele washing machines/dryers.
We have V-Zug appliances in our kitchen in our holiday home in Wallis- the fridge failed completely after 4 years of minimal use and had to be replaced (no contribution from V-Zug either)
Next apartment had all Siemens appliances in the kitchen; they are getting on a bit now, but basically fine. Had to replace the oven when a switch broke- got a Bosch one which is great and may also be worth a look.
We bought a new washer/dryer stack from Fust- they have their own brand- Novamatic- which is V-Zug with a different sticker on (but way cheaper)- design is exactly the same.
Currently building a new house and have gone for Miele appliances in the kitchen. The initial proposal from the Kitchen designer (just over the border in Germany) specced Siemens appliances, and their professional opinion is that Siemens are on a par with Miele- very similar but a little cheaper. But I'm a brand w
e, and I think Miele is worth the slight premium over Siemens (especially in Switzerland)- I'd say Miele is a preferred brand that signifies top quality and reliability. V-Zug is a Swiss brand as you know, hence why they are expensive.
Your decision will come down to personal taste and which appliances you like the look of best- they tend to have very similar specs. Good luck!
Edited to add: I think we've likely specced the same or similar oven and hob as you; also went mid-range for the dishwasher. From your list, I think the V-Zug is pricey. I'd also check all of the exact specifications of the options (especially where there is a big price difference)- it helps if you have the product brochures for each) as you would be able to choose Miele products cheaper than Siemens as there is a fair range of appliances available! Our kitchen supplier also pointed us in the right direction over specific models in the Miele range- where a higher spec model really wasn't worth 400-800 CHF more for a tiny additional feature or minor energy saving...
I think I can also give some perspective for you, as I've experienced all 3 brands here in Switzerland!
First apartment we owned came with V-Zug appliances in the kitchen, and Miele Washer/Dryer stack in the bathroom. All great. My (Swiss) M-i-L swears by Miele washing machines/dryers.
We have V-Zug appliances in our kitchen in our holiday home in Wallis- the fridge failed completely after 4 years of minimal use and had to be replaced (no contribution from V-Zug either)
Next apartment had all Siemens appliances in the kitchen; they are getting on a bit now, but basically fine. Had to replace the oven when a switch broke- got a Bosch one which is great and may also be worth a look.
We bought a new washer/dryer stack from Fust- they have their own brand- Novamatic- which is V-Zug with a different sticker on (but way cheaper)- design is exactly the same.
Currently building a new house and have gone for Miele appliances in the kitchen. The initial proposal from the Kitchen designer (just over the border in Germany) specced Siemens appliances, and their professional opinion is that Siemens are on a par with Miele- very similar but a little cheaper. But I'm a brand w
e, and I think Miele is worth the slight premium over Siemens (especially in Switzerland)- I'd say Miele is a preferred brand that signifies top quality and reliability. V-Zug is a Swiss brand as you know, hence why they are expensive.Your decision will come down to personal taste and which appliances you like the look of best- they tend to have very similar specs. Good luck!
Edited to add: I think we've likely specced the same or similar oven and hob as you; also went mid-range for the dishwasher. From your list, I think the V-Zug is pricey. I'd also check all of the exact specifications of the options (especially where there is a big price difference)- it helps if you have the product brochures for each) as you would be able to choose Miele products cheaper than Siemens as there is a fair range of appliances available! Our kitchen supplier also pointed us in the right direction over specific models in the Miele range- where a higher spec model really wasn't worth 400-800 CHF more for a tiny additional feature or minor energy saving...
Edited by Whitean3 on Thursday 21st December 10:21
RaymondVanDerDon said:
I don't get the Miele sales pitch of 'tested for 20 yearns use' when they only offer a 2 year warranty.
Depends on the model- Ours has a ten year guarantee- 5 years in and no issues. Very quiet and can’t fault it.Edited by RaymondVanDerDon on Thursday 21st December 00:23
We fitted a new kitchen a year ago here in Switzerland.
The choice of the top end kitchen stuff is more about design as all seem well made. I would really recommend is to do your research on what you want including the exact model and then buy via Amazon.de or the equivalent as the prices will be a lot less than half what you will pay in Switzerland. These can't be delivered to Switzerland usually but here around Basel there are companies in Germany that act as postal addresses for deliveries and you can then go and pick up the item from them. Its a bit of hassle but we got 2 ovens a Siemens hob, Samsung American fridge freezer all for less than the cost of the 2 Siemens ovens we had looked at in Switzerland.
The choice of the top end kitchen stuff is more about design as all seem well made. I would really recommend is to do your research on what you want including the exact model and then buy via Amazon.de or the equivalent as the prices will be a lot less than half what you will pay in Switzerland. These can't be delivered to Switzerland usually but here around Basel there are companies in Germany that act as postal addresses for deliveries and you can then go and pick up the item from them. Its a bit of hassle but we got 2 ovens a Siemens hob, Samsung American fridge freezer all for less than the cost of the 2 Siemens ovens we had looked at in Switzerland.
Thanks everyone. Bit of a mixed bag then. I think it's going to come to design more than anything.
FWIW I'm of the same opinion about the washer/dryer but gf seems pretty adamant.
Bill - Toppreise is showing better value for Siemens that Amazon.de Miele isn't available and I didn't check V-Zug.
FWIW I'm of the same opinion about the washer/dryer but gf seems pretty adamant.
Bill - Toppreise is showing better value for Siemens that Amazon.de Miele isn't available and I didn't check V-Zug.
Another couple of thoughts- You sometimes see washing machines/dryers on the likes of Dein Deal and MyStore.ch, heavily discounted- but often you'll find that many electrical suppliers often have similar discounts. There is a place near me in Oberwil (BL)- U Baumann- whose prices on miele and Siemens were on a par with Germany. Worth shopping around for and see what deals can be had.
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