Our Miele W4842 has a 4.0 cu.ft. capacity and it really is too big for the two of us. (A 2 or 3 cu.ft. would be perfect in this house) I rarely fill it full, mostly because I sort the heck out of everything based on fiber content, color (whites v.s. darks), cycle type, and which detergent I'm using on each category garments, etc. If you just toss in everything and wash, like the rest of the world, you might want a larger drum. It just depends on your laundry habits. And even with this 4.0 capacity, I cannot squeeze a twin size comforter into it.

If you are sorter when doing laundry Miele size is perfect. I can fit 2 full Ikea double bed sheet sets in mine with 12 pillowcases, 2 fitted sheete and 2 duvetcovers. A summer duvet thin double fits just fine. A Miele washer are built to be filled full.

Always clean clothes, never had any problems in 9 years.

To compare the W4842 with other washers, use its DOE measurement of a bit over 3 cu ft. 4 is its IEC measurement which you don't see so much these days.

Do you have king sized bedding? If so, you'll need the "Little Giant". it has a larger capacity. Larsi and suburbanmd have that model. I have the regular sized Miele with the drum size you are referencing above in your original post. I have Queen sized bedding. I can wash a thin to almost medium sized comforter. I don't need anything larger.

I love my Miele washing machine. I have the 4842, which is larger capacity than the current US offering (other than the Little Giant), but I would absolutely get the smaller Miele if that was my only choice. I would happily do more laundry!

I should clarify my comment on king sized bedding. the smaller miele will take the sheets of a king size, just not a quilt or comforter, to my knowledge.