Recommend me a washing machine

[GaryRW]

May be a strange question to ask here, but can anyone give me any pointers as to their own views, or maybe other sites I can go to get a view on good/bad washing machines?

I just spent the last week or so trying to decide what tv to buy, finally sorted that and now the washing machine's knackered. I had a vague idea of where to start with for tv's, no idea for washing machines

(I seem to vaguely remember it was after I'd read a thread on here that I went and got a miele hoover, and I've been very happy with it )

EDIT: - I should have mentioned - I'm not averse to paying for a decent brand if it's worthwhile. Problem is, at the moment I have no confidence I wouldn't be paying just for a name.

[stavroshamster]

We have a Bosch - more expensive than some others but have had no problems with it and it's pretty quiet.

[rox0r]

Always best to indicate your budget, I could happily point out a Miele that will set you back the best part of a grand but if your budget is only £3-400 then it's a different ballpark. Most people will tell you their personal experience of particular brands.

Myself I've been through a fair few over the years, I once had a Hoover Quattro go up in flames which was fun (I'm now paranoid about leaving washing machines running while out of the house). We're now using the Hotpoint Ultima top of the range jobby and it's been running fine for a year or so. Very quiet direct drive, large drum and lots of program options along with some good handwash options for things that shouldn't even really go in a machine.

[GaryRW]

thanks for the replies

Always best to indicate your budget

my bad. I guess the problem is we haven't got a budget. I'd obviously like to spend less rather than more, but I have the view that it's better to spend say £500 on something that will hopefully last 5-10 years than £250 on something that'll only last 2 days past the 1 or 2 year guarantee (and possibly have things go wrong in that time as well...).

So I'm open to all suggestions, but being honest with myself a grand is probably pushing it a bit. The ideal is a machine that people would be reasonably confident would last 10 years ish. Hopefully that's possible in the £500 range

Someone at work mentioned something about Siemans (maybe it was bosch??) offering a 10 year guarantee, but haven't been able to see that online so far.

[rox0r]

Siemens have a 12 month warranty and a 5 year on some models at certain outlets. Bosch have a 2 year warranty.

You won't find a ten year warranty without paying through the nose and I think, but don't quote me, it's only Miele that do a ten year (that's confidence in their build quality you see)

[oolon]

I also have a Hotpoint Ultima for 5+ years it has been reasonable. I had to have the sensor on the door replaced and still sometimes causes problems. Ie not detecting it closed. Always slam the door or press it in hard and there are no problem. This can be a pain if you use the timer (for economy 7), as it waits for the countdown to complete then bleeps about the door! Other than that the results have been good, no machine problems at all and I am in a hard water area.

[GaryRW]

I've been continuing to google and found this site: http://www.washerhelp.co.uk

I've not made up my mind whether it's truly independent advice yet, but seems helpful.

And Miele seems to be highly recommended generally. Looking at this page (http://www.washerhelp.co.uk) on the John Lewis Site, seems some Miele machines have a 10 year guarantee but looks like an offer as opposed to standard. Seems that's parts and labour too. But the cheapest with the 10 year guarantee is £879....

As you say rox0r - best part of a grand!

[Funkstar]

I got an excellent Bosch washer/dryer from JohnLewis a couple of months ago. Very quiet, lots of settings to optimise the wash, but also with easy controls.

I did look at the Mille, but there was no way I could justify playing twice the cost of the Bosch for something that was very similar.

[directhex]

Miele
Bosch
AEG

[steve threlfall]

Siemens are highly regarded too. In budget so well worth a look.

[Clunk]

http://www.hotpoint.co.uk/hotpoint/p...ductId=54745UK

Mine's the model before this, but I have to say that it's been fantastic. It washes well, excellent efficiency, 15 min cycles, near silent for about 80% of the wash, you can hear the spin, but it's still very quiet. It looks fairly decent as far as washing machines go too.

I think it has a 2 year warranty.

[Clunk]

Siemens are highly regarded too.

Fnar.

[kalniel]

[ajones]

Whirlpool will be my next purchase when the hotpoint dies... they're really quiet!

[VictorE]

We have a Bosch Exxcel 1400 washing machine and a Bosch Classixx dishwasher both bought over 3 years ago from dixons and we've had nill problems with either machine. That said i now fear i've tempted fate and this statement will come back and kick me in the ass!

[GaryRW]

Cheers for all the comments. The little 'un is back asleep so I can have another quick look now.

Firstly - Kalniel - we're talking washing machines, not dishwashers

From reading a few other sites, and threads on similar sites that google found, seems hotpoint has been taken over by indesit and quality has gone down recently. Having said that, I may be coming up against the problem of horror stories being shouted much louder than more mild recommendations

There are a few Miele that you can get a 10 year parts and labour guarantee at the moment, but seems to be only on the models costing £800-900 and up. I've found one miele with a 5 year guarantee for about £570 including delivery, though weirdly that is from pixmania!

I'm starting on the Bosch AEG & Siemans options now...