This focus on Miele washing machines as being ‘the best’ is unreasonable? They all wash, after all!

[Searchingforthelight]

Currently in the tedious but urgent process of buying a new washing machine. Won’t last long without one!
Last machine was a Miele classic, and it lasted 10 years, with use daily, if not twice daily
DH thinks we need another Miele
i think we can buy a Bosch or a John Lewis own brand for half the cost.
Miele machines don’t wash the clothes any better, do they?!
And is it unreasonable to think other brands are as good and would last that long?
We’re in big disagreement about to go to John Lewis!!

We’ve got a John Lewis own make, 13 years and still going strong. Not cost us a penny since the day we bought it. FILs Miele went wrong within a couple of years.

Hard to know really.

How much you hammer the washing machine for a start.

Not sure that the plan for keeping a washing machine for 20 years is a good one.

Technology moves on, and they get more efficient and with different features with time.

For example a 20 year old machine will not have anywhere near as good a spin speed or economy as a new one.

Well my John Lewis own brand washing machine has outlived your Miele by at lest 7 years. 17 years old DD is sat here and I was washing her nappies in it as a baby and its still going strong. On that coute I'd say your Miele certainly wasn't worth the investment.

On that note John Lewis machines are normally made by one of the big brands. Can't remeber who, but we also had an oven in our last house and that was really good to. Would definitely buy their stuff again.

Only really goes for the cheapest. Our last Bosch lasted at least 10 years.

We had a Miele one, was ok but not brilliant. Lasted a while but couldn’t get it repaired in the end which was the main point of getting it. Got a Belo after that, was cheap but just as good and now have a Samsung which I really like and would recommend.

Beko not Belo

I love the tune! It’s so weird because it should be irritating as fuck but it just isn’t. I work in the neighbouring room and hear it at least once a day and it always cheers me up. It’s so “eager beaver”. I have commented on this many times to DH 😁

Newer Mieles aren't as well built. It's not obvious they're worth the extra £ anymore. Issues with TwinDos, machines packing up prematurely. Miele's are very expensive to repair when they do go wrong. I would go with Bosch.

Machines used to last longer in general sadly it isn't the case anymore I have had 4 new washing machines different brands in 6 years some may have been able to be repaired but I didn't bother as had no warranty one was a actual drum upgrade to a bigger machine nothing is made like it used to be sadly

Why would you need new carpets and curtains every 2 years?

I actually do think the Miele machines
Wash better. Without goiing into the long and boring saga, we accidentally washed many of our clothes without detergent for many yeasts and didn't notice.

Said washing machine is 22 years old (same age as DC1) and still going strong .

10 years is quite a standard amount of time for a washing machine to last. I don't think twice the price is reasonable. Maybe if they lasted 25 years - but TBH technology changes so much that I am usually quite pleased to get an upgrade after 10/15 years as you get something much better. If it was lasting 25+ years then it would be really outdated by the end of its life. I had an AEG which lasted 9 years and the new one I've got to replace it is an LG. Major difference with this one is direct drive - they have a magnet driven drum, rather than belts. I don't care about the wifi/app connectivity as this is usually totally pointless, but there are other things which are better. For example when I bought the AEG it was when washing machines had changed to use far less water and had the super long cycles. If I was still today using a model from 2000, I'd have much higher running costs compared to a modern/10 year old one.

absolutely so grateful for all your replies here- so many perspectives and experiences. And lots to tell DH regarding other excellent machines at much less cost.

😊

They used to be the best. But they no longer give a 10 year guarantee so even they don’t believe it anymore. I still have an old machine but I think that modern ones don’t have a steel drum.

There’s a big difference between the quality of old machines and newer ones. What you buy now won’t be of the quality of an old machine

The Miele engineer said exactly that to me. He said all washing machines wash but he thought it was worth it for tumble dryer.

My Siemens washer is 14 years old and still going strong. It hasn't even yellowed with age despite being in a bright area. It is so old, it has no eco wash and does normal load in 40 minutes.

I bought the cheapest washing machine in the shop in 2005 and replaced it in 2023 only because I felt like it was time. It required zero repairs in that time.

We're on our third washing machine in nearly 30 years and none of them have been anywhere near as expensive as a Miele but have lasted without needing repairs.

First was a Bendix that we left still working in our old house as it was 11 years old and I wanted one with a bigger drum and a hand wash programme.

Second one was a cheapy Hotpoint that only cost about £250 but started to get very noisy and slid all over the kitchen so was replaced when it was about 15 years old.

We now have an AEG that cost about £400 and is getting on for 4 years old and still like new, so should last another 5-10 years at least based on previous experience.

I have a fifteen year old Miele washing machine and eighteen year old Miele tumbledrier. Both still going strong! Just got rid of my fourteen year old Miele dishwasher!

I recon I’ve got at least another five years in my washing machine tbh. It’s still going strong 😁100% worth the money.

I got a hugely expensive Bosch that was awful; it didn't rinse properly, didn't wash properly, and only rinsed away all fabric conditioner. Multiple engineers and a raft of time complaining before they shipped it back to Germany.

I got a Samsung older model (he Series 5) plus a partial refund, and it has been wonderful.

Having used a lot of washing machines over the years (through moving around) in my experience Miele machines (washing machines and dishwashers) genuinely are better and last longer. It’s one of the few things where I choose a brand despite the price.

10 years seems short for a Miele. Are you sure it's broken beyond repair? Ours is 11 years old and had to be fixed once (inlet valve). My mum's has been going strong since 1993!!

Yes, we had a Siemens that lasted 20+ years. It was built like a tank.

Miele service is a rip off I called with a very clear and simple problem an electronic door lock on my washing machine wasn't working. Rather than tell me right off the bat that I would need an in home service call to asses the issue they gave me the option of a phone assessment which costs $65 -- In one minute when the problem was explained to the service person he informed me I'd need an in-person visit for $150 to diagnose the problem. Something I should have been told on my first call. While I can use a "Miele Service Person" and get credit for my initial payment I can get an in person visit from any other service company for "MUCH LESS" money. What is the point of having staff from the 'technical and Service" number - It seems for this company the only point is to scam users to buy their overpriced services.

That's dreadful, what are you doing to them?