Washer-dryer bearings - should they have gone already?

withabix

What I want to know is:

How long should we reasonably EXPECT a washing machine to last before requiring expensive surgey?

ie are the manufacturer's liable if it doesn't last, say, 4 years?

burnsguitarman

These appliances sound great.Any idea if there will be a vented tumble dryer soon?

jackieb

Do Meile sometimes have special offers on which offer 10 years parts and labour? The last time I bought a new washing maching (2-3 years ago) from a local independant shop, there was that offer on. I couldn't afford the Meile at that time though as my dryer, washer and fridge/freezer all packed up in the same month!

Do they roll around the 10yr parts and labour warranty every now and again, like Panasonic do with their 5yr warranties on their TV's? Or do they have a 10yr warranty all the time? I would go through 2, sometimes 3 machines in 10 years, so even if they are more expensive to buy, it would still save me money in the long run.

ormus

zanussi is certainly not the quality H/D brand these days. i remember when they were built like russian tanks.
we buy indesit and chuck em away when they die. sad but thats life these days.

kwatt

freecycle wrote: »

I'd definalty be interested in finding out more about the ISE10 range, just looked up the website and it's just what the doctor ordered...our washing machine is on the way out and I want to replace it with one that will last longer and these look a lot more efficient and built to last :T

Hi Freecycle,

Thanks, the machines are built in Sweden to a very high standard indeed and I've been dealing with the factory for about 17-20 years so I know the machines well. They are just superb, efficient, extremely well built, performance beyond compare and intuitive to use. Can you tell I like them?

I was involved in specifying the machine and, instead of the usual, "we want a price" we went down the road of, "we want a quality, the price is a secondary consideration". Most factories think we're mad, but heh ho.

The machines have a design life for normal domestic use of 20-22 years minimum and the frame/chassis is actually used in a commercial setting usually. The bearings and cassette, for example, are the same as used in a Volvo road train and are designed for in excess of one million kilometres of use, I suspect they will survive well enough in most kitchens.

I didn't want it to break and many of these machines will last for 30 years.

Perhaps we are mad, but it's a machine that we (the repairers) can recommend without hesitation or any caveats with the knowledge that people won't be disappointed in them.

I have the pre-production dishwasher, which should be along later this year or early next and I'm supposed to give it back for training. Let them try to get it back is all I'm saying. :rotfl:

K.

kwatt

withabix wrote: »

How long should we reasonably EXPECT a washing machine to last before requiring expensive surgey?

ie are the manufacturer's liable if it doesn't last, say, 4 years?

Hi withabix,

Basically there is no timescale on it and, sadly, there's no recourse in law either on this. The six year rule just doesn't apply, it's a myth as it does not constitute a warranty on durability. In other words, any failures outside the warranty period are down to the owner pretty much unless you can prove a manufacturing defect (highly unlikely) or you were mis-sold the product, again, highly unlikely.

The simple fact of it is that, just as with cars and other products, you get what you pay for. If you buy cheap, you get cheap and it doesn't last.

The trick with appliances is to invest some time, do your homework, get advice and buy the best that you can to maximise the life of them.

Almost any machine under about £300 these days is, shall we say, generally not very good. You lose on performance and longevity so over time you end up paying more.

Great for retailers who make money selling you a new machine every couple of years or so, not so good for you.

HTH

K.

kwatt

burnsguitarman wrote: »

These appliances sound great.Any idea if there will be a vented tumble dryer soon?

Hi burnsguitarman,

We've not planned one as yet simple as there's little demand for them these days, most people want a condenser dryer.

JackieB, yes they do. But Miele are one of those companies that really do hold you to ransom on service. I recently priced a motor in a £550 Miele machine and a module, both were £296 plus VAT and fitting! Not cheap. A pump was £120 plus VAT and fitting, that's just outrageous.

ormus, yes Zanussi used to be very good (I should know as I cut my teeth as a Zanussi service agent on the Washcraft series in the early eighties) but after they were bought by the Electrolux Group things took a turn for the worse on quality sadly. It's a shame really as I loved the old Zanussi's, today's machines aren't a patch on them but they are also cheaper than they were 20 years ago in real terms.

K.

SilverScooby

It's a real pig of a job but you can do it yourself. The spare parts are only about £20, see http://shop.ezee-fix.co.uk/Spare_Parts_Shop_Zanussi_880.html and your local library will have the Haynes Washing Machine Manual which explains how to do it.

Not a job for the faint-hearted, but I did it successfuly on my Hotpoint

ormus

thats the whole isnt it?
even when you buy a so called quality machine and it goes wrong, a motor for 550 quid plus fitting is just crazy. a pump for 120 quid!!!
at least !!!!!! turpin wore a mask.

thats why i stick with a simple 200 quid indesit and dump it when it wears out. one machine lasted 7 years!

ps. diy bearings are a simple enough job, but takes time and its fiddly just getting the bloody machine apart.

real1314

Our machine went about a year ago, so after a bit of research we went for a john lewis one for about £300 (don't forget quidco).

some good advice was had here: http://www.washerhelp.co.uk/reviews/john_lewis_JLWM1202_review.html