Washing machine - is Miele worth is?

[morechocolateneededtoday]

Our washing machine is on its last legs and we have been looking at a replacement. When we bought our house, Miele was first choice but out of our budget, we have had a trusty Siemens for nearly 10 years which have been happy with but now we are replacing, we want a larger drum to wash duvets and curtains (DD has allergies).

Plan was Miele, budget £1k but have discovered they no longer offer the 10 year warranty (one of the big factors pushing us towards them). Warranty is now 2 years only and the machines with 9kg capacity are upper end of the budget as they had a price rise at beginning of the year.

Looking at other brands, we can get Samsung/LG for around £500-600 with 10kg capacity and all the same features as Miele. Samsung also have 5 year warranty.

Struggling to justify the Miele price tag with lower warranty - I know the parts are superior and machine made well but the fact they no longer back this with even 5 yr warranty has put me off completely. Can anyone advise if they really are worth the extra?

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MNHQ

Probably not! But its up to you

We had similar recently - when we moved into our house we inherited a Miele washing machine which was probably 3/4 years old. It lasted just under 8 years before last summer it stopped working. After consulting a repair man we decided cost of repair wasnt worth it so started looking around for a new one.

Our initial thought was to look at Miele and other 'premium' brands but after a brief browse we decided thats it wasnt worth it and so now have a Hotpoint which cost around £300, approximately a third of the cost of a fancy one. Our reasoning was that even if we only get 5 years use out of it we will still be paying less than a more expensive one.

And so far it has been good - it does the washing which is all we need!

Nope. My mum swears by Miele and always says how long it's lasted. But she forgets that she has to have it fixed/serviced every 5 or so years, which costs the same as a new cheaper machine!

We LOVE Samsung appliances!

Had a Miele for nearly 20 years and then replaced with another one which so far seems fine. First one lasted all through two children ... disappointing about the warranty, but I think they are one of few companies that don't build in obsolescence still?

Getting five years out of a Hotpoint and replacing with another might be the right solution if it makes sense to spread the cost, although environmentally probably better to get something that will last longer if at all possible.

I am replacing my 3.5 year old Samsung after hobeatuly about a dozen breakages. Yes, all within the 5 year warranty, but very slow to respond and repair so left without a washing machine for 2+ weeks each time. Ours broke for the last time over Christmas despite having almost everything replaced over previous repairs. They are now refunding us for the appliance and we are buying an AEG. We are still without a functioning machine from the end of December though.

We have a Miele that's still going strong approx 16 years(?) on at least - it was bought by DH and predates our relationship! We've never had to have it repaired and it's moved house 3 times without any problems.

So it came with a 10 year guarantee that we've never needed to use. In terms of cost per year it's definitely been worthwhile but are they still made to the same standard?

It might be worth looking at Which recommendations (local libraries often have it).

We are environmentally conscious (have become increasingly so over the past 6 years) which is one of the big reasons we were drawn to Miele - they continue to provide parts for much longer than other brands so machines can be fixed rather than replace. I would much rather a machine see me through 10+ years than buy 2 costing half the price lasting 5 each. However, surely if their products were as reliable as they claim, they should be able to back with at least 5 years? I feel 2 years combined with a 20% price rise is a cop out!

Which strongly recommend Miele for reliability and eco-credentials too (their machines are efficient on water use and longevity) but acknowledge the high price tag. In terms of reliability, best buys, repair rates etc, Samsung are not far behind Miele in their analysis which is making me lean towards paying half the price for 1kg more capacity and 3 years more on the warranty.

Those of you that have one and love it, would you spend the premium on your next one knowing the warranty has been slashed to 2 years?

I also know several who had the 10yrs and never once called them but I feel it is very much a luck thing with appliances as to whether you have a problem for not. For every 1 that needs engineers, there will be at least 10 who didnt and are delighted. I feel so torn as we have saved up and can afford it at last but if we are the few unlucky ones, we have paid double any other brand and then the premium on all call outs on top

We bought a Miele 4 years ago (sadly sitting in storage whilst we find another house )
We bought it from John Lewis and it had a 10 year warranty. They might do promotions every now and then. Might be best to talk to Miele direct to see if they still do offer them on occasion or they have got rid completely.

My last Miele machine lasted about 17 years (bought 2nd hand with my first flat in 2000) - current one is now 9 years old and still going strong with no service costs (yet). It's seen me through 2 DCs' toddler/primary years.

FWIW I also have a Miele tumble dryer bought at the same time as the first washing machine, which has had to be fixed once in my 21 years of ownership but is admittedly used much less frequently than the washing machine, a couple of times a week.

Cost aside, I'd rather have the reduced hassle of not having to replace a machine every 5 years, let alone the environmental implications.

Miele have removed the standard 10 year warranty they previously provided on premium models, likewise with the standard 5yrs on their lower range models for a 2year warranty across the board. They have not ruled out 'promotional extended warranties' but no idea if or when they will run and we need something soon so assuming that is not an option.
@coolmum123 I really hope you do manage to find a house soon, keeping everything crossed for you

@morechocolateneededtoday I didn't know about the warranty reduction until this thread, no, but would still buy from them again based on my experience of their products. Although I hope not to have to shop for a new washing machine for another decade at least!

So difficult, absolutely agree with the environmental aspect. We did love our eco bubble Samsung though (left it with old house as I don’t think they move well for one thing).

Hasn’t there been a law passed saying machines have to be more repairable, or is that just EU so non applicable to us now?

@morechocolateneededtoday

Miele have removed the standard 10 year warranty they previously provided on premium models, likewise with the standard 5yrs on their lower range models for a 2year warranty across the board. They have not ruled out 'promotional extended warranties' but no idea if or when they will run and we need something soon so assuming that is not an option. *@coolmum123* I really hope you do manage to find a house soon, keeping everything crossed for you

@morechocolateneededtoday Thank you, it is proving to be a very stressful and frustrating experience. i never thought I would do as its really just stuff but I really miss my things that are in storage. I get so down sometimes.

Think Miele have gone downhill. My folks always bought and they lasted FOREVER. We’ve had vaccuums die and I am not convinced that they are as well designed or as robust as previously. We bought Miele washer and tumble drier. They are fine. We’ve happily used Siemens in holiday cottages and thought they were better tbh. Think we got a 5 or 10 year warranty deal from JL or Miele. They are prob used two or three times every day- sporty family, muddy dog,
Think I would save the money to be honest.
I also found the which reviews pretty crap- they didn’t even test some of the most obvious cycles. And I have had clothes come out of 2hours 39minutes wash that are still physically dirty (not just a stain) and drum was not overpacked.

I love Miele - do you live anywhere near Abingdon? If you can get here they have good discounts:
www.miele.co.uk/c/miele-outlet-abingdon-1409.htm?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI5JvCycTj9QIViaztCh1s-w-qEAAYASAAEgJTgfD_BwE
Actually it looks as if you can order remotely now (don’t think you could back then), so even easier!

Look at LG, I love mine I got last year and the motor has a 10 year warranty

@Gardeniafleur : Yes. The right to repair law. UK has adopted it as of July(?) last year but manufacturers have 2 years grace to get their goods up to scratch. I'd also read it doesn't include all white goods eg. microwaves, but it does include washing machines.

We have a Miele and love it, only had it 2 years though so cannot comment about longevity yet. It does have the 10 yr warranty. My parents had Miele, their washing machines lasted 20 years! I have my parents old Miele vacuum cleaner... 15 years old, got rid of my crappy newer dyson.

I also buy from an environmental aspect so like to not replace and buy quality. My previous washing/ dryer in my old house was a Bosch, that lasted me. That lasted 10 years so might be a good compromise as they are cheaper than Miele and get good Which reviews as well.

Second an LG. Miele are not what they used to be. I have an LG with a 12kg drum that runs almost 24/7 and no problems with it.

Another vote for Miele

Agreed that their quality seems to have dropped.
Comparing with our experience of a 14 yr old Miele washer dryer which is still working fine and 5 yr old dishwasher that had to be repaired/replaced, at the peak of lockdown !

Still, I think it is good value for money and the energy efficiency and the actual functioning of the machine. 15 yrs or so ago, using a Miele washing machine while on a work visit to Germany, was a revelation to me, that clothes can come out sooo clean from a washing machine..!!

If we were to replace or move, I would still go with Miele

As PP said, check out the Miele outlet centre.
and
get the extended warranties, i think Domestic&General deal with that. But, worth every penny.

Our Miele is now 10 years old and I've never had an issue with it. Haven't spent a penny on getting it serviced or fixed. Even if it conked out tomorrow I would get another Miele (ours cost €1200 at the time and has a 7kg capacity).

LG direct drive - my engineer husband insisted this time as it is usually bearings that first in a machine. Direct drive has no bearings so will last longer.

I have a Miele washer/dryer (rarely use the washing bit). I have frequent bedwetters so I don’t think it’s an understatement to say it probably does around 60 loads a month. It is 14 years old and I’ve spent about £200 on repairs in that time.

However, to buy a replacement is £2000 and I’m not sure I can justify that up front cost. Depends on how many more years I get out of it!

Get another Siemens machine they do bigger drum sizes and their freestanding laundry comes with a 5 year warranty. Miele are not doing and extra warranties for a while . but are bringing in a cash back scheme next month.