Washing machine - help me out...........

[HRHQueenOfQuotes]

sometime in the next 7 months we're going to be buying a new washing machine. I currently have a very old and decrepped Servis Washer/Dryer with a very small load capacity.

What I would like is:

A 7kg drum
Digital display that tells me how long is left in the cycle
Good economy rating
One that automatically works out the load weight and adjusts the washing cycle accordingly would be nice too, but not essential.

Most importantly CHEAP - well doesn't have to be ridiculously cheap - but (wihtout having sat down and worked of figured) I'm guessing we're going to be looking at £400 MAX.

Oh, and it doesn't have to be a washer/dryer - just a washing machine would be fine.

So - any suggestions?????

i have a hoover which is 6.5kg load capacity, it doesnt have digital display but has every programme possible, that was £329 - but i wish i had spent a bit more and got one that does adjust the load weight

I'm not bothered about loads of programme possibilities - the majority of my washing goes on the 40 degree "quick wash" on my current one.

they can be expensive to repair though if they break outside of the waranty unless you take out some extra cover - just something else to think about

I have bought a bosch recently and ver pleased with it so far. had lnger than the norm guasrantee with them too.

we never take out extra cover - wasted too much money since we've got married on 'extra cover' that's never been used. We took it out on our "used and abused" Service Washer/Dryer...cost us nearly as much as the machine itself did - we've worked it to the ground over the last 5yrs and never had to have anyone out to fix it!

no the lng guarantee is free. I never take out extra cover! When the sales person starts on about it. I usually say something like "isn't it very reliable then? Perhaps I don't want it if it is going to break down?" etc etc. They soon stop the sales speak for the warranty! LOL

ahhh - sorry see what you mean now - yes we often look for things with longer than average guarantees on them too - I recall DH said something similar to the saleman when we bought out widescreen TV about "isn't it reliable then"

John Lewis have brought out their own range that is worth looking at.
Mine was delivered on Monday and I think does all the things you're looking for. I can't tell you much about it at the moment. I keep having to refer to the manual as I am used to a Bosch with a 4 option dial and this is a digital all singing all dancing thing.
As a bonus, buying from John Lewis you get a three year warranty on all electrical goods.

I had an AEG which was fab but broke down a couple of weeks ago. Decided to get another AEG from John Lewis (free 5 year guarantee with certain ones). It looked great and has everything on your wish list only cost £499.

It is a NIGHTMARE!! I am so annoyed with it I am wondering if I could return it. Do not get the weight sensor. If I put light things in it is not using enough water IMO and everything is coming out very creased. In fact anything I put in is ending up completely creased. Before I didn't iron a thing except shirts and now everything is totally crumpled. It starts off suggesting a 1600 spin which I am reducing to 1200 (always used 1200 before) and I am reluctant to go lower as everything will be too wet but might have to. Also the short OR very short wash (2 options) take well over an hour.

It does have a none iron program but refuses to operate if more than 1kg of washing is loaded in a 7kg drum.

Somebody told me AEG make the John Lewis machines too?

I know the John Lewis brand is made by a well known manufacturer so you could be right.
The first thing I noticed when I did a cotton 40 wash that the time came up as taking over 2.5 hours! Perhaps I misread it. The Bosch only took a max of 90 mins to do the same.
I'm never going to get my all my washing done at that rate!

i have recently got a john lewis machine

it takes a large ish load, was under £300, with free delivery and has a full 3 year garentee as standard!

• it has a tiner so as well as knowing how long u have left u can also time it to come on early in the morning (or whenever) so that the wash finishes as u get up! i LOVE that feature

its also very water and energy efficient and even a 60C cotton was is just 75 mins!

and a 40c cotton wash is just 1 hour 7 mins!

i dont have problems with creasing either

I'll have to check mine out again.

Bosch machines are fab, and take a 6kg load which is significantly bigger than 5 (although admittedly less than 7!). You can't go wrong with Bosch and you can get a simple one for c £300.

I'll see if I can find you one

ooo this is looking really helpful thanks - keep 'em coming.....probably shan't be buying for a couple of months but I like to know what I'm looking for/at with these sorts of things.

Try this one - £349 (apparently) (it doesn't say it isn't in stock but some sites say it's no longer available so I don't know)

I bought mine form kitchenscience.co.uk

can recommend them.
also

co-op electrical on line store.

good call, cece - same machine £330 there! (Well it ends in a 5 rather than a 4, but I think it's the same one?)

(kitchenscience doesn't seem to come up on shopbots, I wonder why?)

not sure but the delivery was good and on time. someone on here recommended them for me when I started a thread about needing a new washing machine back in May or June...

ooooooh, QOQ, look here - the 24464 for £285

I think it might be being discontinued, iyswim...

This is my model - even cheaper

BOSCH WAE24162

The only thing is that it beeps repeatedly like a microwave when it finishes. I must get aorund to checking the instructions to see if I can turn it off - before it sends me and my neighbour potty (machine is in a utility shed next to her fence)

QOQ wants a time display though - bumps the price up a bit!

Ah yes forgot that. yes it does seem to bump the price up!

Why would you need one of those? Maybe being a bit dense here? Can't you just look at the clock on the wall??

But I'm not type to get hung up over time - don't wear a watch and quite often unaware of the time. Poor DD has soemtimes had dm running across playground in panic as I didn't realise the time. LOL. Always got there in tiem so far though.

I never had it before but mine has one now and it is very useful - eg if it says 30 mins left you can decide whether to nip to the shops now, or wait until it's finished

(Also mine does extra wash/rinse and adds time on accordingly, so if I want it to finish before I go to work I can tell if I've got time to do that or not bother and end up with slightly less immaculate laundry!)

oh I see!

Can see that could be useful but I think I would find the extra £100 more useful