Washer Dryers - anyone happy with theirs?

[extremelychocolateymilkroll]

We live in a small flat with a room beside the bathroom which has a useless 2nd loo. We are at last getting around to turning this into a utility room and are planning to get a washer dryer - although I have heard that they are not as efficient as a washer and a dryer. The problem is that as we are so limited with space we were planning on putting shelves above the washer dryer to maximise storage so it's a question of efficiency v space. I have only ever heard negative things about washer dryers - any positive experiences out there or have you all been disappointed? We're looking at the AEG-Electrolux L14850 recommended by Which. TIA

I had a washer dryer for years in my old flat... to be honest the dryer isn't the greatest, you usually have to dry only half a load at a time otherwise it takes absolutely ages. However, I rarely used the dryer, really only in emergencies. It depends how much you'd plan to use it. If it's a case of having a dryer just for emergencies then I'd go for it, I had no complaints about the washing abilities of our one (it was a Hotpoint).

One advantage was that if I put a small load on to wash and I needed it dried straight away I could programme the machine to start drying as soon as it had finished washing, which was convenient. But in no way was it as efficient at drying as our current seperate tumble dryer.

Thanks HeadFairy. We've gone for an AEG washer dryer as space really is an issue.

I have two (!) - one in my husband's v. small place in London where I lived before work took me to north Wales. I also have one here - I bought it secondhand because I only have space for one machine in my strangely set up house.
Anyway, washing - fine, no problem. Drying - takes a while, but then I'm not really very used to dryers anyway. I mainly do my drying on a line weather permitting; or on clothes horses/radiators, but use the dryer when I have a lot or need/want to have the place uncluttered.

Really useful to have if you haven't got the space for a dryer, but avoid if you basically want a tumble dryer!

p.s. my one here (s/h so no choice!) is all electronic and a little annoying as it gives error bleeps if it's overfull/uneven load. But that could be because it's a bit older and temperamental.

they are always shit

Bit harsh, GleeE4! Any more explanation?

I had one. It was awful. Basically, just much more stuff to go wrong. All the drying problems as already stated here plus, if dried half a load after washing, it'd often dry stuck to the side of teh drum. So would be all hard with marks from the drum holes.

I HATE mine with a passion.

I now have a washer dryer that I only use as a washer and a separate dryer.

It would take me a whole day just to get one load washed and dried. I can now get about 6 loads (which is what I need) with them separate.

Mine has also broken down more times than I care to remember so have taken out extended warranty. I really have got my monies worth from the warranty - but that's not really the point is it?

We have a hotpoint aqualtis and I love it! I can do a quick wash and dry in 1 hour when i need to which is fab.

I hated my previous one (built it, no brand name) as I kept forgetting to turn the dryer off and it ruined loads of clothes but this one is idiot proof so suits me great

Thanks everyone - will let you know how I get on with my AEG.