May I ask how old your Miele set was and which model it was?

I think we bought them around 2008. Longevity isn't an issue. These machines are well built and have been troopers. I love my W1213 washer with a REAL sanitize cycle. The repair guy was amazed at how many hours I'd put on the machines, saying that I'd used them more than the average bear. (We have an unusual set up whereby I have to do a few loads of laundry every day.)

I even concede that the washer was probably our fault. Hubby was slow to credit the vibration problem and add additional reinforcement to the floor. (This was our first front loader.) He kept thinking it was alright because the installer had blessed it.

The dryer bothers me, though. It has 8,000 hours on it whereas a dryer of similar age, we were told, would have 5,000 to 6,000 hours. So the idea that it needs repairing is perfectly understandable. What riles me is that the fix (seal replacement) didn't last one day. The machine was still squeaking slightly when the repair man tested it but he kept repeating that it was an old machine. This rankles me because I purchased the more expensive Miele because it is built to last; I believe in keeping appliances and fixing them. Miele has offered to return to look at the machine once again, but we are reluctant to throw good money after bad.

Unfortunately I am forced into buying compact appliances because of the size of our tiny cottage. Not many options there. And I need an on-board heater for cleaning clothes. Fewer options still. Love the Miele machines but can't justify the cost if we can't count on being able to repair them.

I understand Miele service can vary tremendously with location. Just wondering if you're speaking to the East coast service center where I find they know more.

We live in New England so East coast it is. You are right, there is a huge difference in service based on the person with whom I speak. When the washer was pronounced with broken shocks, the service person immediately offered the discounted replacement. I was impressed, especially because I knew I'd worked the machine to its death. The last individual, who fielded my distress call after the dryer broke within 24 hours of the $350 fix and spewed black shoot all over the inside of the dryer and my clothes, mechanically replied that she would look at the schedule to see when service would next be in our area. I had to request she contact the repairman to see if he could shed light on the situation. Her return call flatly stated that it was an old machine. So much for the twenty year life span touted. Like I said, I love my Mieles but geesh.

If they repaired and it broke within 24 hours I would ask for an escalation to a supervisor. May not help but it might -- at least temporarily. I'd ask them to repair it again at no charge (unless you think it's hopeless). With a "20 year machine," which is also how mine also was sold to me, 7 isn't an old machine. And I don't think apologies are in order for how much it is used. It's the most expensive compact on the market. It should handle everything for a long time. The 20% off sounds a good deal for Miele but still ouch! I'd ask them to throw in a longer warranty. The field supervisor has a lot of discretion and they don't like it when their machines fail.

The Electrolux looks interesting. Have you called and asked them about hottest water temp?

I've 3 Euro compacts Swedish Asko, Bosch Axxis and now Miele between 2 houses in past 10 years. Bosch was the only one that was trouble free, largest capacity, and half the cost of Miele but no onboard heater. It did a very good job though it didn't have the profile wash so stain & odor removal weren't up to Miele. Asko (240v) had 205F water -- the heater was great -- but the water level was so low it was problematic.

There are also compacts made by Whirlpool & Maytag. My sis has the Whirlpool about 7 years now with only 1-2 repairs but no heater.

Hope you'll keep posting about how you do. Fingers crossed you can move them some more.

10,000 operating hours is the claim, which, according to Miele, should take the average user 20 years to achieve.

With regards to the dryer: it does sound like the repair guy didn't do a proper job. Some of them are just clueless, unfortunately.

Sounds like I should have 2,000 more hours, then, Whirlpool!

I agree that it seems the repair person missed the mark. Our hesitation is this: Whatever is wrong with the machine, the problem causes a black silt to deposit all over the inside of the machine and onto the clothes. When the fellow "fixed" it the first time we were beside him with wash bucket and hepa vac to clean the insides because the debris caused my asthma fits, not to mention the permanent staining of clothes. Since the washer is limping (I use it but only wash a few items at a time so the shocks aren't stressed.) and the dryer is suffering, we thought to bite the bullet and replace them rather than risk another bad "fix". If the washer hadn't been pronounced dead, I'd be working my way up the chain to get this dryer back in commission.

rococogurl, Much appreciate the take on other compacts. I haven't called Electrolux on hottest water temperature because I am stuck on the deodorizing of their gaskets, about which I am to post.

I've eliminated Asko because of problems people report with their machines. Too many repairs.

As you know, options are few if compact size and on-board heater are required.

I started calling around for a Miele installer since the company has generously offered the 20% discount. First contact refused to install what he hasn't sold me, even though he is a Miele vendor. Second person is the only authorized, independent installer listed on the Miele website. He will travel the two-and-a-half hours to do the install, but will eat up most of the discount. Third company I called is the other Miele vendor within 30 miles of us. They quoted a price of $4030 for the set plus the stacking kit (which we'll use in the new location) but without the extended warranty. That's a tough pill to swallow but we might have to eat it. We'll see...

Here's a user review of the washer. I also posted a link to a dryer review towards the end of the thread.

www.automaticwasher.org/cgi-bin/TD/TD-VIEWTHREADM.cgi?59376

deb-- You sound very calm about that black silt. I'd be screaming.

If this helps, I buy warranties direct from Miele with a 10% discount coupon code they gave me TSX450409 for online purchases only. Then you call and have them hook it up with the registration. The question is whether they can provide you with one of their trained servicers in your location. They travel over an hour to get to me. If that code is not still good, it's possible to call them and get a new one.

The appliance co I used is 45 miles from me but they delivered, installed and took the old units away when I replaced the Askos. In my area that has nothing to do with service. Worth a call to see how/if that would work for you.

Will be interested to hear more about E'lux. I don't understand the whole concept of steam washers. Deodorizing the gasket???

I was glad to read that the Electrolux has a water heater, but it's 110 rather than 220. I'm curious about how effective that is in actually making the water warm during the cycle, since the clothes and drum (and, initially, the water going into the machine) are at room temperature and there isn't a large volume of hot water to warm them up. I'm scaling down a budget-busting kitchen and laundry/bath remodel, so small units like these are on the list.

The Mieles washer also run on 110V and still get very hot... it just takes longer. Here's another user who is awaiting delivery of his Electrolux washer and dryer set.

The matching Electrolux dryer is the condensing type. I wish they would offer a vented unit too.

I think I read that if you have a floor drain (or any drain?) nearby the dryer can drain through that, so at least you wouldn't have to empty the reservoir.

We got a chance to see the Electrolux yesterday. Thank you, whirlpool trainee. Your link encouraged us to travel to see the pair.

Unfortunately the scented gasket makes it a non-option for me (Contacted Electrolux; they do not offer a non-scented option.) If the gasket were unscented, I would have gone with the pair. Lowes has it on sale for $899 each and offers an extended 5 year warranty.

From the review I read, the condenser jug needs to be emptied every second or third cycle unless you direct drain the dryer, which is an option. There is a condensing filter, located at the bottom, front of the machine which also needs rinsing frequently -- consideration for people who have trouble getting on bended knee; you might plan a pedestal set-up. The reviewer stated that a normal load took an average of two (gulp) hours to dry. Hubby and I have decided that we'll continue to air-dry what we can to save on our ever-increasing electric bill since whatever we buy will be a condensing dryer.

Not much reported on the washer other than it offers a lot of options and steam and it is 2.4 cubic feet -- largest of the compacts. It has an on-board heater like the Miele (also 110v). Though it is NSF certified, I didn't check whether it meets the more stringent of the two certifications. From the owner's manual I was unsure of when the on-board heater was activated; clearly during the sanitary cycle, but I couldn't tell if it heats water for a HOT load or just takes straight hot house water. But then, Miele isn't any help there either; if it weren't for rococogurl I wouldn't have a clue as to what my Miele is doing behind the scenes.

We really liked the looks and feel of the pair and were disappointed to come home empty-handed.

rococogurl, from what I understand steam is supposed to provide stain treatment and sanitation. And, of course, it treats wrinkles when in the dryer. But my understanding is vague, at best. Never worked with it.

I am an old-fashioned gal. History tells me scalding hot water, and plenty of it, gets things clean. (When I was a child there was a laundry stove in the basement because we boiled cottons and linens.) But in an effort to adjust to the new way of things, I keep returning to a post by sshrivastava in the thread:

switching from a Miele W1213 laundry set to W4842 set

She talks about making the transition from high heat washes to moderate heat washes. I wonder if I make a to do about nothing or if we are going to find that we were mistaken in trusting lesser temperatures and more advanced detergents to accomplish cleaning. My linen napkins instruct to wash in warm water. Linen!?! Seriously? You can bet my Miele scalds those things each week. But then, my health requires I use a simple detergent without scents and optical whiteners and no chlorine bleach. Maybe if I could everything would be fine in just warm water. ???

rococogurl, ditto my very heavy bath towels. Hubby loved 'em when new but HOT water has left them scratchy. Like you, I avoid fabric softener but resorted to it with the towels because of Hubby's baby soft skin :-) but never got them back to original softness.

Think sshrivastava is right about the HOT water being the enemy of fabrics. BUT, is soap and warm water CLEAN (vis-a-vis germs)?

We have hard water so it is a challenge: need to use enough detergent or clothes will be gray/yellow but not too much or soap residue will cause stiffness and rashes.

I so wish I could use the Miele laundry products. Tried the gentle care for cashmere. It was outstanding BUT the fragrance was too much -- though I understand "normal" folk consider it benign.

Thanks. I am rather bummed about Electrolux. Much more budget friendly. Sigh

Funny you mention bath towels. Getting rid of my 802s from RH. Too heavy.

I don't believe cold water washes do much. But the very warm washes were OK. And with the right detergent and long washes will get things clean. I don't think I would be as sure about that if I hadn't washed that new towel this week but the results were excellent. I use Persil.

I'm getting some new towel samples and I'm going to do repeated warm water washings to see whether they get scratchy or that keeps them softer.

When I had the Bosch Axxis our heavy towels came out very well. Their condenser dryer was very good too. We used it for all our clothes. I had it at the same time as the Asko and liked it better even though the Asko had the profile wash and the 205F. It was also great with the athletic stuff and delicates -- those cycles never worked on the Asko.

Thing is, the Miele spoils you. But my second choice would be Bosch.

Very late to this thread, but wondering how your new Miele turned out. Which model did you go with. Also glad to know you can use your own soaps. We stay away from fragrances and fabric softeners too. I usually use vinegar actually, but i don’t know if that’s ok in the Miele. We’re moving from a top loader to a compact front loader because of a move, which is how I cam across this post. Been debating about Electrolux vs. Miele. Thanks for the detailed descriptions and would love to see how things turned out if you see this!

Miele just updated the USA Miele W1 and T1 lineup of washer and dryers. They are on Miele's website. There are prior models still being sold at no discount. I would advise you to select the new models vs the old if you do decide on a set of Miele laundry appliances. Do explore the instruction manuals for models of interest to make the best decision on what is best for you.

Prior model W1's exhibit an issue with prewash/soak/add item features. Myself and others have been waiting for new software to correct these issues.

Other than my prewash issue, I find the Miele W1 to be the best front load washer I ever owned. If a super capacity front load washer is something you don't need and quality is what you desire...go with Miele units. They hold a full load similar to a top load machine for example. Cycle times are longer, and so many ways to customize every load. Good luck.