Which washing machine and why?

[mCowboy]

siemens front open

Found this one...suspiciously cheap....

But I have decided to get a top loader so I will probably get this one if I cannot find a cheaper Bosch of similar features

Siemens WP10R151SN

since you got the time... let your feet do the work and visit different stores, even within the same chain and ask for the best deal. Also remember to check the older models (with almost the same features, but selling off before the new models coming in), one off items (sometimes they have returns or misdeliveries) and the store demo appliances too (usually just dusty or stained from fiddling around).

[EP]

nowadays low-end machines do not seem to last.

I would say the opposite. My low-end machine lasted 15 years. And today my high-end AEG broke down just after 3 years of use. I phoned their service, and according to the type who answered, the error code 9 means that the motor itself is broken. Too expensive to replace it. I even have the laundry inside and the hatch doesn´t open.

So now I start looking for a low-end one.

[milou]

You have gotten many answers and I'm going to stir up the things little more.



A good Finnish brand to remember is UPO. My parents used to have a green UPO, bought in the early 1970's. It lasted well until 1995.

We've got my grandfathers old UPO Pesukarhu (about 15 years old now) and works perfect. No need for repair yet and washes well.

[annekmc]

So now I start looking for a low-end one.

I bought a Hoover HN6125 from Citymarket 4 years ago for 280€ and it washes perfectly at all temps. is very simple to use. I wash at least once a day and it still runs perfectly, I'd say even if it broke down now it has paid for itself already and I'd happily go out and buy the same model again. So cheap.

[Karhunkoski]

You have gotten many answers and I'm going to stir up the things little more.



A good Finnish brand to remember is UPO. My parents used to have a green UPO, bought in the early 1970's. It lasted well until 1995.

We've got my grandfathers old UPO Pesukarhu (about 15 years old now) and works perfect. No need for repair yet and washes well.

Yup UPO are good.

Your grandfather's UPO story reminds me of my mummo, who bought an AEG after the war, it was the first in the village and all the neighbours came to view this modern technology, which was not only used for laundry, but also for making butter

[raamv]

Hi guys, I bought the bosch from gigantti in the end.
379 euros, +29 delivery, +10 recycling of the old one. Then i bought the insurance for 5 years, 135 euros.
My friend said that i could have got better deal from my home insurance, to extend it for the washing machine so that it would cover the washing machine for even quality problems. I do not know whether that is possible, never tried.

One thing about this insurance...If you have rental or home owner's insurance...it most probably covers this breakdown... you just need to inform them.. Unless you have the Euro135 insurance cover everything for 5 years including transportation of washer+service + labor etc etc...Otherwise, its an expensive 5 year warranty on parts..

[sotka_]

Yeah I think that Gigantti insurance covers everything about the washing machine, not just the replacement of parts. I asked when they offered the insurance, how much it would cost, if the machine breaks down due to quality problem after two years' warranty has passed.

To quote Homer J. Simpson: "Extended warranty! How can I lose?"

In Finland we have this thing called kuluttajansuoja, and home insurance is cheaper and covers more than individual extended warranties.

If you get it for free, great, but no point paying for one.

[Karhunkoski]

Someone may correct me, but wasn't there an expose in the UK some years ago that the shops made more money selling "extended warranty" on washing machines than actually selling washing machines. They calculated the average repair cost on a machine (usually drive belt or at worst a motor) and it worked out that you had to have a breakdown every 10 months just to break even on the insurance.

[Karhunkoski]

Out of interest, how much is the warranty per year or month?

[raamv]

that washing machine is so far the most valuable item we have at home and the one which is most likely to break down, because i wash almost every other day...and since i have got this new one, i am gonna wash every single day. So hopefully i haven't wasted my money on the insurance for the machind...thank you guys, when we get more new items, we will take the better home insurance.

PLEASE please...dont make the mistake of not having any Rental or homeowner's insurance...
When the washing machine or dishwasher leaks..or the your nail in the wall breaks a water pipe embedded inside...you need them,...otherwise,,you and your generations are going to pay for that Debt...
It doesnt cost more that a couple of hundred per year and does cover the waching machine as per the kuluttajansuoja..so while Gigantti's covers only your washing machine..the other rental insurance covers EVERYTHING..including : rental property as well as individual property ( damage caused by accident or otherwise)..
So my sincere advice is dont waste time to get that...and if possible...return the gigantti's and get the Rental.( From IF, Sampo, Pohjola, fennia, or veritas...) Just get it man..and dont regret it later..

[Karhunkoski]

Echo raamvs' words. You NEED home insurance for theft and it must also cover your liability against third parties. For an apartment this should be around 100 euro and year. A water leak can cause damage costing 1000s euros. No insurance = you pay.

[Jukka Aho]

Check your local laws too. Insider tip for any Australians at least (and probably overseas) is that products all have a legal "expected lifespan". I know this also exists in the States too because of the furore over the iPod batteries, so I'd think it's something the UK would have at least, dunno about Finland.

Essentially, at Hoover we would sell a washer with a 2 year warranty. If it breaks down at 2.5 years old, Hoover don't have to pay a cent, right? WRONG.

The same is also true in Finland (Kuluttajansuojalaki 5 luku 12 §).

A keyword for further Google searches: virhevastuu (= manufacturer’s/seller’s responsibility for replacing/repairing/compensating for a defective product, or a product that breaks down in the middle of its expected lifetime.)

It should be noted that Finnish legislation does not give any definite number of years for this. Instead, the law talks about the general expectations of longevity that consumers can reasonably have for each product or product category.

Warranties are just additional services/guarantees on top of virhevastuu (and the fact that the warranty has possibly run out means zilch from the virhevastuu point of view.)

[raamv]

and I am pretty sure that there is also an EU equivalent for appliances..
I dont have the time now to dig it up..

[stevy777]

this site has useful reviews http://www.washing-machine-wizard.com/index.html

hope you find one

[Cod]

just 'cos I'm a geek above the rest..

here's the winner for 2007's Which? magazine washer...above Miele etc etc

Best Buys
Zanussi-Electrolux ZWF14581
• Price: £370
• Score: 73%
• Freestanding or built-in: Freestanding

This Best Buy Zanussi-Electrolux gives excellent washing results across the board: whether you use the cotton, easy-care or 30 degree program, your clothes will come out clean. It’s one of the best models we’ve tested.
The 7kg capacity ZWF14581 from the Jetsystem+ range automatically adjusts the water and energy use according to the amount of washing in each load. We tested the 40 degree cotton program with and without the Jetsystem+ engaged – both scored equally well, but you can save 10 minutes by not using Jetsystem+.

I've almost found it in Finland...under the straight Electrolux brand..need to physically go and check it out..