Trying To Decide whether to buy a Miele washing machine

Hi

Thanks for your reply - it was very informative. I think I have now decided that I will go for the Miele, although still not sure which one. It is quite amazing how the prices vary so much for the same machines. Sadly I can't take advantage of the cheaper prices as the insurance company are sending me a voucher which can only be used at the original retailer's stores. Still, I'm looking forward to owning a good machine at last.

I will let you know how I get on with my new machine in the near future.

Thanks again - what a brilliant site.

Thank you Christine. The extra guarantee offer on Miele washing machines requires you to fill in a form. If you don't get one, you can download one from Miele's web site

My old Hotpoint that is now almost 4 years old has given up the ghost and therefore I need a new washing machine. I hear what you are saying about Miele and I must say that I am tempted to invest except for one thing. I live in an area where the limescale content of the water is very very high. My wife thought about using calgon or similar in the hotpoint but worked out that 4 years of buying calgon tablets = cost of new hotpoint so decided against it on those grounds. Have you any advice?

Hello Richard,

You raise a valid point, and one someone else emailed me about recently too. However, it doesn't make sense (to me) to continuously buy washing machines you don't expect to last because there's no point buying one that will last - on account of your hard water ruining them. Imagine the long term cost compared with the costs of softening the water and just getting rid of the problem. The ongoing costs of buying cheap rubbish washing machines that don't last long, would probably work out more than the costs of installing a water softener system (or something) to remove the problem - and then buying decent washing machines.

I agree that adding Calgon tablets or similar to the wash every time, over the lifetime of all your washing machines would cost a fortune. Unless I was unsettled, or only temporarily in a house, I would look into dealing with the hard water and limescale problems once and for all by either trying one of the devices that attach to the plumbing, or having a water softener system installed. This would deal with all other costly problems associated with limescale damage too.

( Related: Is Calgon worth using? )

Many thanks for your good advice. I have just ordered a Miele Premier 520 and will address the problem of hard water at source. In that way I will also be protecting my dishwasher, electric shower etc. Happy days and thanks again.

I have a Zanussi FL1012 washing machine for nearly 20 years. and i feel its time for a new one. Not that there is a problem with the one I have apart from the slight noise. I had my mind made up to buy another zanussi but was told in the shop that they do not make there own machine any more but but another company - this has totally thrown me. Which machine do I buy - I was recomended the Miela PREM 520 but really have no idea.

Zanussi are owned by Electrolux, who also own AEG. Zanussi washing machines aren't in the same class as Miele, but they are decent washing machines for the money. If you want something as well made as your 20 year old Zanussi, Miele may be even better, the latest Zanussi's aren't as well made, but then they cost a fair bit less too.