New washing machine but which one?

cyclonebri1

My big issues have been with both Zanussi and above all Whirlpool.
Bendix now a pile of crap too. Hotpoint, not for me.

At your budget Bosch.

leveller2911

We went for an LG from John Lewis about 15 months ago and so far so good.As mentioned the direct drive motor is a plus point , decent 8kg, A+++ energy and pretty quiet too, our LG weighs the washing and balances the drum which is a big plus with noise and balance.

Personally I think the competition has caught up with Bosch especially LG... I know very little about Miele so can't comment but of the 3 the OP linked I would go for the LG

jackieb

You have my sympathies with the Hotpoint. When we took the last one out the side of it was battered where the drum used to bang into it so I can imagine the noise your one would've been making!

I have an LG. Up until then I always had Hotpoints as I knew a man who worked for them and i'd get them fixed cheap, but no washer ever did me more than 3 years, and often it was less. I do a lot of washing and the brushes used to go like clockwork every 18 months - and we were told they usually go after 3 years. If it wasn't that the motors used to go.

I've had my LG for almost 3 years now, and touch wood, i've never had a problem with it - it's a direct drive so there are no brushes in it to start with. I have a big steam model, and I do at least 2 11kg washes a day, often more. It can do 30 minutes washes too, or even a 60 minute intense wash. My son has eczema and I can add extra rinses or add a steam finish to kill off any bacteria. I wouldn't have any hesitation in buying another, even though it costs more than double what I usually paid for a machine. I got it cheaper online at £800, but for me it's been worth it.

Saying that, I recommended it on here and someone bought it and didn't like it very much - I think they might have got a dud. But if you look at the reviews online they are mostly very good.

cyclonebri1

Problem is they all have an off day and make a basket case, it's those buyers who are prompted to vent their issues, which pretty much equalises things.

My initial thoughts are to go with the 1 that no one moans about rather than the 1 that is praised the most,;);)

Hintza

We have an LG and I bought the MIL a Bosch. We used to have a Samsung that had a problem with unbalanced loads and was quite noisy.

Our LG is only 1 year old so can't comment on longevity yet but it is a good and very quiet machine.

My short list would be LG (primarily for the direct drive, followed by Bosch and if I was feeling flush I would look at the Siemens)

**Patty**

Thanks everyone...some food for thought there.

Miele....would LOVE one.....however, way over budget & i need an 8kg drum (middle son has disabilities & i need to wash the duvet at times......i struggle to do in a 7kg Not-so-Hotpoint)

AEG.....Spanish-built now are they not? And part of Electrolux which puts me right off. In their German-built heyday though....superb machine ((( lavamat)))

Zanussi....never. Not with someone else's greasy bargepole.

And Siemans.....Are they not badged-up Bosch?

CKdesigner

Hi Patty

I understand where you are coming from with regard to the budget but my advice would be; when you have already decided you are willing to spend £500, I would either go that extra mile and beg, borrow or steal to get the Miele or I would not spend £500 on another brand, and just buy a fairly basic Bosch for a maximum of £300.

You see a nearly £500 Bosch will not really wash things better or last any longer than a £300 Bosch. Where as, you spend the extra on the Miele it will last you at least twice as long if not 3 times longer.

Also, please ignore the stated load capacity of a washing machine, its nearly all marketing BS. All washing machine drums are give or take a bit the same size, this is because the foot print of all domestic washing machines is basically 600 mm x 600 mm, so all manufacturers basically put the maximum drum size into this foot print.

The problem is that manufacturer's marketing departments are given free rain but are not telling the whole truth. What they are not telling the consumer is what actual wash quality the machine achieves with an 8kg load. The energy label that says the machine has 'A' grade wash quality is a test done at 5kg load, so often the machines performance over 5kg drops like a stone.

As far as I am aware its really only Miele and a couple of other top end makes that keep their very high performance level at larger load capacities.

CK

LandyAndy

We have a Bosch that we bought in the mid 90s. Still going strong. Would buy another.

Alias_Omega

We have a hotpoint, and would buy a hotpoint again.

Though, i would probably go with something "Direct Drive" if the prices come down.

Our hotpoint was £189 back in 2007, its had its brushes replaced & its hot water inlet valve by me. Its making a right noise these days, but thats probably because its 6kg and Mrs AO brims it. I could quite easily replace the drum bearings & spider when they were out, also the braces/shock absorbers.

For us, for it to last 5 years is good for the £200. As 10 years would cost us £400/ 20yrs £800 etc.

jackieb

CKdesigner wrote: »

Also, please ignore the stated load capacity of a washing machine, its nearly all marketing BS. All washing machine drums are give or take a bit the same size, this is because the foot print of all domestic washing machines is basically 600 mm x 600 mm, so all manufacturers basically put the maximum drum size into this foot print.

You haven't seen the size of the drum inside an LG 11kg washer then? I believe they do 12kg ones now as well. That's by the by as the OP just wants an 8kg one, but just saying that not all drums are the same size.