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flyingkite

Miele W4840 & T9800 - First Day Experience

flyingkite
16 years ago

First of all, crooks101, jerrod6, sshrivastava,

Thank you very much for sharing heads on experience with new Miele products!

I was prepared and it was priceless, because I had realistic expectations and was not surprised in dealing with the minor issues.

Installer was a very nice guy, but he used cheap flexible vent pipe that was immediately twisted when he moved dryer closer to the laundry wall (just 8 inches allowance). I believe, he never heard about rigid pipes, periscopes, pipes with elbows etc. Not surprisingly, when I called Miele and asked for the upgraded dryer filter, they asked first if I have rigid vent pipe installed. And what, no rigid pipe - no filter replacement, because I did not follow Miele's requirements. Well, eventually they agreed to send me a replacement filter in exchange on my promise to replace flexible vent with the rigid one in next couple of weeks.

Now, the good.

1. Washer & Dryer set looks very impressive, my laundry room definitely became a starting point for the all future guest tours.

2. Very convenient load/unload when installed on pedestals.

3. User friendly interface with easy to operate controls, passed WAT and even MILAT (mother-in-law acceptance test).

4. The wash cycle is almost silent.

5. The overall quality is superior, all parts (especially drums) seem to be very well done, all surfaces were ideally polished.

Not so good, but definitely treatable:

1. Washer door was hanging low, door's lock lead doesn't fit receptacle.

2. Dryer appears to be pretty noisy, hopefully this issue can be alleviated (after replacing filter and installing rigid vent assembly).

3. Considerable washer vibration on a high spin. Partly due to installing washer on the pedestal, no surprise here.

4. Very low water rinses levels (didn't pass MILAT, "Where is the water?").

5. Neither provides washing status nor operates via internet (please, don't laugh at me, I'm serious).

Comments (14)

  • housekeeping
    16 years ago

    Regarding #4 in the not so good section: Ignore MILAT, she probably doesn't know what she's talking about (or expecting) regarding modern FLs. All the water you need is there. You may also be able to select for a higher rinse level in some cycles after you get used to machine's options. (I know I can on my much-older Mieles, don't know about your machine's config.)

    Take the trouble to get #3 of same section (excess vibration) squared away ASAP. My machine has a fine perceptible shiver at high spin speed which is OK, but nothing you would call "vibration" would be allowed. It's not good for the machine.

    Enjoy!

    Molly~

  • flyingkite
    Original Author
    16 years ago

    Molly,

    Thank you.

    As WebGardeners have already mentioned, you can't set higher rinsing levels through the regular menu anymore, at least easily, but this option is still available through the special service menu (technician connects service computer to the washer's LAN port and reprograms default water settings).

  • flyingkite
    Original Author
    16 years ago

    Second day of testing.

    The good:

    I have never had my laundry so beautifully done. Absolutely fantastic! Clean, fresh, spotless and almost wrinkle free.

    Not so good:

    Considerable vibration especially with big loads on "normal", i.e. with max spin.
    Even my breakfast table in the adjacent kitchen was vibrating. Well, I'll try engineering approach. First, reduce default spin speed to high, second, put sum extra weight into pedestal box. Luckily enough, my laundry room is on the first floor, but the following combination is the absolute No-no:

    Washer 4840 + pedestal + second floor.

  • housekeeping
    16 years ago

    RE vibration: Maybe your feet aren't correctly settled and snugged up. It wouldn't be the first time "authorized service" needed a little customer tweaking to get it right.

    It could also be that you have some slight variations in your floor that are allowing the pedestal edges/feet to wobble. This translated upward would maginify (think of a sail boat heeling over with person on a trap line ......). What kind of flooring do you have underneath?

    Sorry to hear about about the lack of an extra-deep rinsing option. I am always of two minds about recommending Miele, even though I adore my machines. The quality is still there, but Miele is chasing the lowest-common denominator of customer preferences lately. I think it's a big mistake to try to combine high-end build (and price) with dumbed-down features, but apparently they don't think so at Miele USA. It's a terrible pity they don't give the end user more choice in the matter. They could sell the same machine and simply ask customers if they want to have it set up for stupid simple, or option-rich. You'd still get fine clean clothes, but at least your toy would match your interest, and skill level.

    I am glad your clothes are getting so satisfyingly clean. It's a wonderful thing, isn't it?

    Molly~

  • flyingkite
    Original Author
    16 years ago

    Molly, thank you.

    I'm just working out vibration issue step by step. So far, changing spin speed from max to mid makes a big difference and tomorrow I'm planning to buy some "weight" in our local sport shop.

    I have a linoleum floor (a very cheap one) bit I don't think it matters.

    And yes, having clean cloth and fresh smelling towels (first time!) is a wonderful thing.

    Have a nice weekend,

    flyingkite

  • jerrod6
    16 years ago

    Glad to hear of your experience. Please keep me informed about what the filter modification is. I have the T9820 dryer--it is gas.

    Yes there is a lot of air moving around but It doesn't bother me so I am not totally thinking of getting the modification unless it is going to do something more than reduce noise.

    Please let me know what it looks like and what it does.

    You mentioned your washer was on linoleum. What is under that...what kind of floor?

    Thanks

  • flyingkite
    Original Author
    16 years ago

    jerrod6,

    I have a standard plywood floor, nothing special. I called Miele on Friday and they promised to call me back and schedule service appointment. I will post pictures of the old and "improved" parts in our Gallery as soon as new part arrives. Speaking about vibration, I believe it's just law of physics, you elevated center of weight (yes, pedestal) and now have to deal with consequences.

  • serge777
    16 years ago

    Would appreciate any input. I am considering purchasing a new washer and dryer...price is not an object...however want to get something that has quality and will last. Considering the WM2487HRM LG Tromm Front Load Steam Washer and dryer (wife likes RED) or the Miele 4840 with the T9800 dryer (Molly was talking about lack of controls for the US version)...anyone have any suggestions. Molly stated Asko was good however looked at some reviews and the customer service is horrible...so that kind of scared me. Also read some reviews on the Whirlpool Duet on Epinons are fightening as well...I hear the Kenmore He5t is the same as the duet...although the reviews looked pretty good. Any help is much appreciated...kind of confusing. Thanks. Kean

  • jerrod6
    16 years ago

    Molly is talking lack of controls because she is comparing the new Miele's with the older ones. The older ones let you program in extra rinses, high water...this and that and you did so right on the console. I believe mine is newer than Molly's but it still has the selector dial, but some of that programming was removed, although I can still get the machine to do much of it. The older ones like mine had different cycle selections in that you picked a fabric type such as cotton, silk, wool, perm press.. and then within each fabric type you selected a temperature from tap cold up to almost 200F in some cycles. The newer ones have the push buttons, with names like Sanitize..whatever.. but I am used to thinking"this is cotton and it is dirty and there is no elastic in it,and it is color fast so I am washing it at 180F" But the 4840 does have the custom cycle which will let you customize the cycles.

    So I think the new Miele models are going to offer as much if not more control than many of the current models sold today...Just not as much as the ones before.

    My neighbors see the options on my machine and their eyes glaze over and they say "I just want to push a button and go, I don't want all of this" so for the most part the current overall market didn't want what was Miele was offering....

    Folks like me are used to those selections and flexibilities so I will be keeping my "OLD" miele washer for as long as I can. I have the new gas dryer and it is fine.

  • flyingkite
    Original Author
    16 years ago

    jerrod6,

    good point, "one button" approach became a mandatory requirement in the modern mainstream marketing.

    For people who want more, the "Teach Yourself Miele 8440 Programming in 24 second" manual is now available in the Laundry Room Forum.

  • flyingkite
    Original Author
    16 years ago

    Test Image -1

    {{!gwi}}

  • flyingkite
    Original Author
    16 years ago

    Please don't pay too much attention, I've just tested how to add images to the posting.

    Accordingly Miele installation instruction, both stands have to be connected using special latches, but I don't think it will be enough and may be even dangerous without rubber insertions between two boxes.

  • jerrod6
    16 years ago

    Both stands have to be connected to what?

    Where are the instructions on adding an image to a posting. Can you do this without using a link to another web site?

  • flyingkite
    Original Author
    16 years ago

    jerrod6,

    Both stands have to be connected to each other side by side using two special latches.

    To add an image to your posting:

    1. Load your image into Home Galleries.

    2. Click "MOST RECENT PHOTOS" link.

    3. Click your picture thumbnail.

    4. Position mouse pointer over full size picture, right click and select "Properties".

    5. Highlight and copy picture URL. Part of the long URLs can be hidden, so move mouse pointer back and forth in order to highlight the entire string.

    6. Insert the following HTML code into your posting:

    <img src="Your Picture URL">

    7. Paste picture URL over [Your Picture URL].