Recommendations for a new washing machine

[slalomsuki]

Well our Bosch washing machine has given up the ghost and by all accounts will cost £150 plus to repair so we are thinking about buying a new one.

It's used daily, sometimes twice a day and more at weekends and needs to be able to wash normal school clothes but also muddy football/rugby/hockey gear etc almost daily. I could do with one with a short wash cycle also to just freshen up some of my stuff that's not really too dirty.

Any suggestions on brand and model gratefully accepted.

I have a Bosch but not sure that the model is available in the UK - it's a Bosch Maxx Classic. The thing I really really appreciate about it (and the reason I chose it) is that each wash has the choice of different temps. I like to wash some things at 50 deg, which used to be a standard wash temp but has mostly gone by the board now - but this particular model has a digital display and allows a range of temps in each wash mode. I LOVE it! The only thing it's missing is a "half load" option but I rarely need that. It has a quick wash (3 temps, cold, 30 and 40 deg, takes 15 mins) and the cotton stains wash goes up to 90 deg in 10 deg stages. Brilliant!

Sorry, I realise that my post is possibly THE most unhelpful post ever! Not much point telling you about a model that isn't available in your country, or even in mine any more :(

I do like Bosch though.

We have a Bosch Exxcel 1600 Express and it's been going for a good 11 years or so. I try to remember to use Calgon tablets in the hot washes so it doesn't fur up with limescale so much. I'd recommend that model.

Miele - I think ours is the equivalent to this

It has been going strong for 6 years now!

Miele every time for me.

Thumbwitch . I do like Bosch though

Had my Miele for 16 years now..

Thanks

This Bosch has lasted 11 years I think so not bad going with just the door seal having had to be replaced by now.

Looks like its a Bosch vs Meile debate then. Will see what I can get

Bosch, or Miele if you can afford it. How much do you want to spend?

The Miele machines seem to be smaller capacity.

Siemens are the same quality and reliability as Bosch (apart from the badge) but tend to aim more upmarket and technology may be whizzier. Bosch and Siemens jointly own the company that designs and builds their appliances.

We've just replaced our Bosch Classixx with a Miele. I love it. It has a fantastic 20 minute wash which seems to get the clothes cleaner than 2 hours in the old machine did.

We have Miele everything because they last so long but I was impressed with a Bosch machine in a holiday cottage recently which had a really good 15 min cycle.

Bosch Exxcel WAQ28461GB is one of the which best buys when I looked a few weeks ago. It is about £400, there were a couple of 'better' buys such as Miele but they were much more expensive, £800 to £1,000 ish.

My washing machine is on it's very last legs and I'll be going for the bosch above.

We've had a few washers over the years. My mother used to swear blind by Zanussi's, but her newest one that she bought about 2 years ago is awful.

The best machines we've ever had were at opposite price ranges - a Beko that was only £200, and our current Miele that was £799. The Beko was a top end model, 1400 spin with all the digital controls etc. Had that for about 6 years with constant use. Not bad considering it was so cheap. It washed really well too. The Miele is better, I must admit. Much quieter, bigger drum and much better built, but for the price, the Beko was great.

The worst washer we've had was a Hotpoint, who also make Indesit machines. It was awful. Never washed anything properly because it spent more time sitting than it did tumbling and it was so poorly made, it felt like it was built out of tinfoil.

My brother has a Bosch washer that's a fair few years old now and seems to be doing well, although I've never used it to comment on it's washing results.

Another vote for Bosch! Mine is fantastic

Love my Miele! I have washer dryer.

I know Indesit is the bottom end of the market (owned by the same company as Hoover apparently), but our last one lasted just over 16 years without even a repair. Had our present one about three years without any problems. You can adjust the settings and reduce temperature and spin. Also, has a sports wash.

The installers told me that just because you pay more, doesn't mean it will be more reliable/last longer, so choose a more expensive one because it has the functions you want.

@starfish4, Indesit is the same company as Hotpoint. Candy is the same as Hoover.

I wouldn't touch Indesit, Candy, Hoover or Hotpoint with a barge pole again, especially after they failed to launch a recall when their fast spin machines started exploded mid spin and ripping people's kitchens apart.