Washing machines-again

[Covenant]

Ours has gone tits up tonight. Her indoors is not prepared to wait more than a day without one. What shall I get? A rated I know about-anything else?

[Mike]

Washing machines are the spawn of the Devil!.... We've gone through so many I've lost count, they all die sooner rather than later! :steam:

Open a catalogue and stick a pin in a page... It'll do. ;)

[DSJR]

Zanussi's used to be good for the cheaper lot. I bouyght us a Bosch Classixx 1400 and the thing doesn't spin dry as well as my dad's old 1000 Zanussi did. We have to spin everything twice, the motor brushes wore out after six yeard but fortunately, there are replacable. We bought some laminated brushes for under a tenner from "asuds" on fleabay and I spent an awkward half hour fitting them without having to take anything to bits (other than remove the bottom cover). If it only lasts another few years it'll be worth it..

[Macca]

A pal of mine looked into this a while back. He said that all washing machines are essentially the same - the more expensive ones just have more features on them - mechanicals are identical.

If you want something that should really last a long time with no hassle look at Miele - they use the pro versions in the local theatre - hammered all the time they only have to replace one about every ten years.

[Covenant]

Zanussi's used to be good for the cheaper lot. I bouyght us a Bosch Classixx 1400 and the thing doesn't spin dry as well as my dad's old 1000 Zanussi did. We have to spin everything twice, the motor brushes wore out after six yeard but fortunately, there are replacable. We bought some laminated brushes for under a tenner from "asuds" on fleabay and I spent an awkward half hour fitting them without having to take anything to bits (other than remove the bottom cover). If it only lasts another few years it'll be worth it..

How did you know it was the bushes Dave? Our machine will fill with water but won't spin or wash. I took the back cover off and the belt is ok.

[DSJR]

I googled it... A Zanussi similarly afflicted will need the whole motor replacing, but there's enough on Google about Bosch motor brushes and a few comical youtube vids watching someone almost buried in the base of one, loads of clanking and huff-puffing. the thing is finally turned upright, plugged in and the motor runs as before..

Our machine had a couple of days with a noisy spin and I recognised the sound from a similarly afflicted Hoover vacuum cleaner from the ark and also a garrard RC88U record changer with an almost washing machine sized brush-motor . The following day it filled and drained but the drum wouldn't turn - it also manually turned too quietly, if you get my drift. Since an engineer charges £50+ to darken your door even before he's looked at the machine, I was forced to try the repair myself. It's bloody fiddly and the water in the filter assembly has to be watched out for (put a tarpaulin or old rug underneath), but as long as the bush springs are fully inserted into the slots and you fit the brushes the right way round (they have slanted ends and ours were LAMINATED), the end clips fit ok and the spade connectors are easy to push back on, the spade assisting the terminals to lock the brushes and springs in place...

[smurfbrain]

If you want something reliable with good customer service i would recommend john lewis washing machines. Their own brand it is a cross of best features from zanussi/aeg if i remember correctly. Some of them were the Which best buys. They come with 3 year warranty as standard. I havent had any issues with mine in the last 3 years unlike with indesit which had to be fixed 5 times within two years of ownership.

[DSJR]

I'd echo that, come to think of it - HiFi dave uses them and when i told him of my tale of woe, he confirmed Mr Smurf's post above :lol:

Depends on whether you wish to replace the machine and can afford to, or whether you'd attempt a repair first....


I think AlexUK would agree - WHY didn't John Lewis and Ikea come to Ipswich, the former when Alders closed down in the town centre?

[Techno Commander]

Something guarateed not to break. :)

http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS9Hm7LFC8bLtO9zIuftRyvzY-mieGF0mdOXkcy2d7YreVW_I8&t=1&usg=__x2QaaQcP0CT88C-ei9euOTYJhL4=

[The Vinyl Adventure]

"Buy the cheapest one with the longest guaruntee ... Or a miele" ... Is what I was told by my pal in white goods
We went for the cheap with long g'tee option ... It has a blue screen on it, and it beeps when I lean on the buttons when im doing the washing up... That's all I know about it!

[Techno Commander]

I usually get them from charity shops for £40 delivered.
When they break, I get another and they remove the broken one.

I usually get about 2 years from them which works out cheaper than buying a new one.

[Covenant]

Something guarateed not to break. :)

http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS9Hm7LFC8bLtO9zIuftRyvzY-mieGF0mdOXkcy2d7YreVW_I8&t=1&usg=__x2QaaQcP0CT88C-ei9euOTYJhL4=

Mangles always make me chuckle because of this from Derek and Clive ('scuse the language):

#As I was walking down the street one day
I saw a house on fire
There was man, standing at an upper-storey window
Shouting and screaming at the crowd that was gathered there below
For he was sore afraid

#Jump! You f*cker, jump!
Jump into this here blanket what we are holding
And you will be all right
He jumped, hit the deck, broke his f*cking neck -
There was no blanket

#Laugh?! We nearly shat!
We had not laughed so much since Grandma died
Or Auntie Mabel caught her left tit in the mangle
We are miserable sinners
Fi-i-ilthy f*ckers

#Ahhhrrrr-soles :lol:

[Macca]

Mangles always make me chuckle because of this from Derek and Clive ('scuse the language):

#As I was walking down the street one day
I saw a house on fire
There was man, standing at an upper-storey window
Shouting and screaming at the crowd that was gathered there below
For he was sore afraid

#Jump! You f*cker, jump!
Jump into this here blanket what we are holding
And you will be all right
He jumped, hit the deck, broke his f*cking neck -
There was no blanket

#Laugh?! We nearly shat!
We had not laughed so much since Grandma died
Or Auntie Mabel caught her left tit in the mangle
We are miserable sinners
Fi-i-ilthy f*ckers

#Ahhhrrrr-soles :lol:

F**king love Derek and Clive - 'scuse the language:)

[Techno Commander]

Ahh brilliant.
:lolsign:


Havent heard that in ages. :lol:

[Covenant]

Ahh brilliant.
:lolsign:


Havent heard that in ages. :lol:

Remember this one?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7ujmkLTGNM
:lol::lol::lol:

[Beechwoods]

But which washing machine is best for your hi-fi? Which ones chuck least garbage back in to the mains...?

[Techno Commander]

That would obviously be the mangle, due to the lack of mains connection. :)

[StanleyB]

Just get a Miele W8XX series washing machine. You can go higher up their range, but the W8xx series is serious value for money.
I used to have to replace washing machines about every 3 to 5 years, until I took a chance on a Miele. That was about 10 years ago and it is still going strong as ever, plus it is very quiet. Around the same month that I bought mine, a friend bought a Bosh and another one bought an AEG. Their packed up more than 5 years ago.

[Tony Moore]

Got a Samsung to replace Hotpoint that was a pile of ****. Very pleased with it so far, very quiet (direct drive motor) works a treat, built like a tank. I think Samsung are still in the phase where they're over-engineering to get business. Most other makes have already found out how to engineer to last 1 week after the guarantee runs out.

I wasn't a big fan of Samsung but I'm well impressed so far. (WD8794RJA Washer/dryer)

Cheers,
Tony

[Tony Moore]

Sorry got the part no wrong. The one I have is this:

http://www.reevoo.com/p/samsung-wd8704rja

[Effem]

A mate of mine used to work for Hotpoint in their test department. His best recommendation for a Hotpoint washing machine is to avoid them :lol:

99% of the time when the motor won't rotate it's the brushes need replacing. The last programmer I replaced was on an old Hoover Keymatic back in the 70's. Only ever had one machine where the drum bearing went and that was a real bugger to fix :(

[Codifus]

Got a Samsung ..... very quiet (direct drive motor) .....

Cheers,
Tony

Real audiophiles get a washer with a belt drive motor. It transfers less motor vibration to the clothes.:sofa:

CD

[Alex_UK]

Nice one David! :lol:

Washing machines are no different to any other mechanical object I guess, some will have horror stories, others have a great experience. My Hotpoint is 8 years old, and still going strong, must be an idler drive I reckon! :eyebrows:

(You just know that after posting this the fecker will break down tomorrow, don't you?!)

[Covenant]

Thanks for an the advice but whilst I was out my wife ordered a Hotpoint from Tesco.
This was her thought process:
1. Charcoal would be nice instead of boring white
2. Order from Tesco and get double clubcard points ( spends them on jewellry).
3. Fast spin and quick wash needed.

:doh:

[Mark Grant]

Might not be too bad, at least Tesco should have some.

The last time we ordered an 'in stock' washing machine from an online company it took 3 weeks to arrive.....

[DSJR]

If there's just one or two of you, the machines get light use and usually last for many years. When little ones arrive, the poor thing gets murdered and perhaps that's where a large drum model is important, especially when sheets get laundered regularly :eek: Washer Dryers have a harder life and some friends with one became adept at replacing motors and door seals themselves.

For normal use, I suspect a Hoptpoint is as fine as any other.