Sorry... dullsville... Any washing machine recommendations? Tips? Any to avoid?

[BettySpaghetti]

Following my thread last night about my washing machine sounding as though it was full of snooker balls, the drum being all over the place and deposits of black stuff on the contents I think I need a new machine.

All I know is that I want an A+ energy efficiency grade but I can't stretch to a Miele budget.

This is Comets A+, upto £300 selection for example

Any recommendations? Makes to avoid?

PS - also, why is it that when you have no washing machine you end up making more dirty washing than usual? In the last 30 mins DS wet himself (hasn't done that for weeks) and I've spilt coffee all down my top and trousers.

now I really am going to shut up

happy shopping!

Whats your budget and I will give you the Which best buys in that price range if you are interested

Ooh I do - Siemens washer, Siemens dryer, giant Siemens fridge-freezer and all kinds of ridiculous girly Cath Kidston type laundry accoutrements... Parisians think I'm just mad (they put their slaves to work in the laundry room, never go there themselves)

my smeg was marvelloso. Maybe we hadn;t had it long enough for it to crash and burn but the indesit has given us problems from Day 1 (and it was brand new)

Ours is in a utility too so no worries about machine appearance there

Never thought of John Lewis -anyone know who makes their own brand ones?

Think I'm still swaying towards Bosch (would love to consider Miele but too pricey)

I think John Lewis machines are made by Bosch (they look a bit like Bosch). I could be wrong though

Betty, we got ours from the Wash House in Barbourne (Worc). They were great, good advice, quick delivery and an excellent choice.

Sorry - just looked it up - it is AEG Zannussi

SMS -that would be great, thank you.

Price wise I was thinking up to about £300.

I could go more, its just that mentally I have to set myself a cut-off point otherwise I find myself thinking "oooh for £x more you can get such-and-such a feature" and before you know it I've spent double what I'd intended and got a load of features that I'll never use!!

SIL loves all her JL appliances - and they come with 3yr warranty and free delivery/fitting I think

Thanks NDP -I wasn't sure what was around other than the usual superstore culprits, hence my Googling of Comet etc

Ok - in that case you miss the best buys (cheapest is Zanussi ZWF1415 @£379 - I guess you could get it cheaper in sales/online etc - or the JL identical model would probably be cheaper)

Number 8 on list is BEKO W
A620 @£231 scores 60 (best buys are 61-66). They say it is a good alreounder but can't judge brand reliability as they don't have enough data.

On a budget they recommend AEG Electrolux L52810 @£299 AAB rated
Running cost 4/5
Cotton 3/5
Easy Care 3/5
Quick Wash 4/5
Low temp 3/5
rinse 3/5
Spin 3/5
ease of use 4/5
noise 3/5
reliability - average

Overall ranked 13 with 58/100

Bosch WAE2416S Classixx @£330 at rank 10 (59/100) might be another option. Looking at this though if it was me I would probably have a look at teh JL equivalent of the Zanussi

Going on school run. Back later if you need anything else specific from the Which guide

Biggets down point for the Zanussi's is 1/5 for rinse

Cheers for that SMS -I'm also out to do the school run now so will have a proper look later

Thanks everyone

betty I'd go for the bosch from JL
I have the miele because I felt like a change from bosch and because with 4 kids I do give washing machines a punishing and I didn't care much about the money
but probably the sensible choice is bosch I think

Bosch or John Lewis. If you have a local JL see if any are on "undersale". The JL extended warranty used to be the only one worth having.

In fact, why not get this JL machine on offer that is probably made by Bosch ("German technology")?

I had to do this research a few months ago (with the help of my Dad's subscription to Which magazine as well!) Miele are the best (but expensive) followed by Bosch. John Lewis own brand is made by AEG, so we did consider them but went for a Zanussi from John Lewis instead.
Definitely avoid Hoover (last machine was a washer/dryer, didn't give an especailly good wash and I had 2 doors fall off because the door hinges were lousy! I didn't shed many tears when that bit the dust after 5 1/2 years!)

Agree with NDP Wash House are fab, bought my Zanussi from them. I literally live round the corner from them, but still got them to deliver and fit it, they were on time and they took my old one away.