Just from the "looks" I really like the TOL Whirlpool Duets. I think you may miss a couple of this from the Kenmore HE5Ts, but I found the Kenmore control panel a little overwhelming. The Duet is much more straight forward.

As far as the dryer is concerned, why don't you get the matching dryer in whatever set you choose. You do want your appliances to look pretty, don't you? And a mismatched set is so ugly.

"...but I found the Kenmore control panel a little overwhelming."

Interesting, I never looked at the Kenmore HE5t because I don't like Sears extended warranty prices and I thought the Duet too simple/limited. I just assumed the they were corporate twins in all aspects. But it seems, the H35T will do what I could not do with the Miele. Perhaps a little more with the Stain Treat profile wash and Skincare option.

On the profile wash, I could have duplicated even that if the heater worked on Miele's Normal. Other cycles you can do by loading cold. This is the flexibility of a heater. Actaully three ways to do it if the heater had worked on normal, since I had access to FW. Hey, it did to something right here. Alas, no heater to exploit it.

I have acknowledge some folks don't care if the W48xx series even had a heater. If it makes them happy, I will not rain on their parade.

On the matching, is is a strong point to match. Probably will do. But others have "ugly" setups and seem happy.

Someone implied I did analysis parasysis. LOL, Actually for me, I am having fun driving a low cost solution that meets my needs. But then that is what I do for a living in the IT field. Practice makes perfect. Most of the time researching is on the manufacturer's web site. The store visits only took a couple of hours.

I called Sears today, on the Maytag/Samsung dryer they will deliver free and honor the 15% discount coupon. That makes the dryer before tax around $300. The Duet is $552. Approaching almost double cost and meets all the needs.

And it would be the lowest cost solution of new HEt5 w/Maytag for $1320. Duet adds about $250. For me, it exceed the functionality of the Miele W48xx with it current FW design with either option. I bought the T9800 just to match. I was way over specs for just functionally needs. On build quality (minus the HW bugs) I will bow to the Miele but over 2x the Miele better be.

crooks101,

Sears is great, but your second divorce can be costly. Despite the same 90 days grace period, Sears will charge 15% restocking fee, unless you find a serious defect confirmed by the Sears technician.

Just be very careful, the quality of the most domestic washers & dryers degraded dramatically due to the moving manufacturing to Mexico and Chine

crooks101,

Just curious - why not Bosch? As you've said, it has a very nice feature set. Is it the vibration problem some face installing it in a 2nd floor laundry room?

I know your a stickler for having a machine where the internal heater operates in all modes where it makes sense. I haven't dissected the HE5t. Last I knew the Kenmore machine only used the heater in select cycles (heavy duty, whitest white, sanitary & stain treat-profile). What workarounds exist so you can get it to use the heater as you'd like? What controls does the HE5t have for increasing water level?

Maybe you're better just better off sticking with the Miele set and choosing an alternate cycle to kick on the heater. (Although I can certainly understand your frustration with not getting straight answer from them.)

Got call today from Miele, they agree to full refund of $3258.38.

On Bosch, I had FL since 2000. Several problems. I have seen 4 new machines with sprung doors in different stores. Just don't trust their quality as much as I once did

Got a chance to play with HE5t. The stain cycles does work on all cycles with heater, but will try to heat to hot level only. On higher water level, no too encouraged but seemed no worst than Miele on custom cycle. I really like the way it tried to HS balance. It really does balance well before it tries HS spin and timer stops while this cycle is running. On Miele, it would try then just spin with lower RPM, if needed. Timer was always running. And HE5t's price is $780 less than W4840.

The heater options are about the same as Miele i.e. Normal dos not engage heater. Miele would have edge, but it should for price. On the other hand, HE5t has warm water rinse and option for extra HS spin time. It also has Skincare setting that does 4 rinses at 11 minutes each - a whopping 44 minutes of rinsing, if you ask for it. Overall, better on rinse than Miele W48xx. This is way beyond the "sensitive" 3 rinse cycles on Miele.

I get a good felling about the Whirlpool and willing to take the risk of restocking, if need. But still much better than the hxll trying to get the Miele fixed or money back last three months. I had no return option at all and a do nothing authorized dealer.

I also checked the same place I had bought some parts for the Bosch, it carries the Whirlpool parts. But not Samsung, LG or Miele. I am going to take a chance and just use my 2 yr credit card ext warranty. I made a decision on the MDE9700 Maytag(Samsung dryer). Total price will be $1320 + tax for new HE5t and S/D dryer. I sold my broke Bosch W/D set for $400, so net outlay is around $1000.00 No bad, after refund I get essentially the same functions and $1900+ net cash back.

I can live with this and easily move on. Miele is happy and I am pleased to get rid of them for now. It might have been different a year or so from now, once they get past their start-up issue. But I suspect, other things will show up. I am don't trust their engineering trade-offs they must have made to get price point down. Just look at their little giants price for smaller machines. They must have cut something or just not invested as much R/D. But probably good enough for the targeted upscale market.

I said Whirlpool, but Kenmore is essentially the same except for a few added functions and smoked plastic door plastic. I am sure all major parts are the same except for control boards. But even that might be the same with different FW. The HE5t just spins longer, turns on heater more and adds an extra rinse.

Crooks

Glad you are getting satisfaction. Please let us know how things work out.

Ok, think this is about over. Talk right now is very civil. Just business, as it should be.

Hmm, just got the Sears (really Great Indoors) automsg for home delivery for Sun delivery. Looks like Miele may not pick up for another week for so. Got to fax them some receipts and still out of town. It they don't pick up next week, I will be out a week again.

Might delay and reconsider an upcoming sale at 20% off if I buy 2 major appliance. Just thinking. I dd see the Kenmore Steam dryer again this week in PHX. I would still be way within budget. Being single, traveling a lot and hating the old iron, just might be worth the $120 (after sale) upgrade.

crooks

finsih with your laundry business and GET A LIFE.

Happy saturday.

Amen

Jerrod6,

"Glad you are getting satisfaction. Please let us know how things work out."

Sears made a mistake and sold the S/D dryer I had on hold. Hmm. Just when I thought this was almost done.

However, only temporary setback. Dept manager/salesperson admitted to the mistake and let me have a new "Black Diamond" color Kenmore HE5t and matching HE5 dryer for $1590 (867W +723D). Wow! This is a great deal and they look sharp. Heck, at this price, I could live with an Miele pair without heater. cough/cough