Miele Washing Machines!

[aoi 0]

Oh, my! Sold out!!

Wow, this Miele is truly something. One of a kind, I would say...

Made my heart feel "itchy" now, haha.

Edited December 6, 2009 by aoi

[Ve_ve 0]

Oh, that was a nice advert wasn't it? haha, i went for the 2 days ck tang 10% sale, the latest miele homecare package of washer n dryer was totally sold out!! The sales lady said 20 sets in a day till she can't eat!! Amazing considering its still $3600 after discount for the pair!! So Miele is still value for money!! never mind what others detractors say

I was one of the customers go queue up during the sale. It was a good deal with rebate so decided to get it in Ck tangs instead of best DK ..

I saw a few purchase b4 me. I went in the morning and the whole place was crowded with ppl buying electrical goods.. :o

[aoi 0]

Buyers will be proud of their Miele.

Edited December 6, 2009 by aoi

[aoi 0]

Below is taken from an independent washing machine review by a repairman with 30 years experience at http://www.washerhelp.co.uk/reviews/miele-w864-review.html

====================

Review Summary

My impression of the Miele W864 washing machine is that it is a Rolls Royce of washing machines [ Related: Miele build quality ] My only real concern is that independent repairers can't get parts and technical information as easily for the German washing machines. This means its unlikely that you'll find a competent independent repairer. I would advise that if investing in a Miele washing machine, you need to be prepared to use Miele's own engineers or dealers for any future repairs. Miele's engineers don't charge more than many other manufacturers - it's just that independent engineers (if you can find a good one) usually charge a lot less [ Washing machine manufacturer's labour charges ]

Of course parts are likely to be expensive too because they are high quality parts. The idea though is that breakdowns should be far fewer, and overall, over a long period, the cost of owning and maintaining a Miele should be cheaper than buying cheap washing machines. However: Miele currently have really long guarantees that reflect their confidence in the quality - although these guarantees swap and change all the time because Miele use them for promotion instead of price cutting. [ Miele's extended guarantees section ]

Latest Info:

The Miele W864 has been superceded but the basic entry level Miele washing machine should be very similar to this one, but with more features including a larger 6Kg drum.

Price Range:

Top end price range £500+

Clearly this standard of build isn't cheap, but it is designed to last at least 20 years. In the long run it should work out cheaper than regularly buying, repairing, and replacing many other makes of washing machine ( Do washing machines have built-in obsolescence? ) plus it's a high class product that should serve well and be a pleasure to use.

Main Review:

Removing the lid from the Miele W864, I was immediately struck by its simplicity inside. I was impressed to see a stainless steel outer tub. This is very rare for a washing machine these days. The outer tub holds all the water and the inner drum revolves inside it.

In the past, tubs always used to be made of vitreous enamel, which was strong, but susceptible to rust. Vitreous enamel tubs often started leaking after 10 years or more, or if damaged by a coin.

Most washing machine manufacturers have long since moved onto plastic outer tubs. Plastic tubs are cheaper to make and they don't rust, but coins left in pockets can punch a hole right through. This can write a cheap washing machine off, and as leaving coins in pockets is something most people do sooner or later, it's not ideal to have a plastic tub.

Stainless steel outer tubs are the ideal answer. They are metal, substantial, won't be damaged easily by coins, and will never rust. Apart from the cost, you can't beat a stainless tub.

********** CONTINUED **********

Tub Weight

The next thing I noticed was the lack of a concrete block. All washing machines I have ever worked on have had one or more blocks of concrete bolted to the outer tub. This is to weigh it down and add stability to the washing machine on spin. The trouble is the concrete block often starts to crumble with age, and I've seen hundreds of them come loose causing damage to the tub. The stabilizing weight on the Miele washing machine is an unbreakable cast iron cradle around the front and the back of the machine. To an engineer, this is extremely impressive. It's over 20 years since I saw a washing machine with cast iron stabilizing weights.

The Door

The door opens the opposite way to all other washing machines I've worked on. This shouldn't (and doesn't) really matter, but I found it strange and puzzling. After reseach I found that they do it on purpose and it's an example of the way Miele think differently and give attention to small details - Quote: "With the door opening on the washing machine to the right and to the left on the tumble dryer, loads can easily be shifted from one to the other in one seamless process."

The door is made out of cast metal and chrome. It locates into a metal door catch. Most use plastic, which is not a good idea if the door latch is metal because the metal wears the plastic. This door catch is apparently designed and tested to be opened and swung shut 60,000 times. Most other washing machine catches are tested for less than half this number (source, Miele's brochure)

Other Parts

Filter: Loose buttons, coins, and other obstructions are prevented from jamming the water pump by a filter. Not all washing machines have them but most do. The Miele filter is accessible by opening the small square panel at the front left of the machine. Unusually, it's high enough to get a bowl under which is great, and has a pull out hose to drain water through, which is very useful.

Control Panel: The Miele W864 washing machine has a very straight forward and easy to use control panel. It doesn't look modern, yet it doesn't look old-fashioned either. A washing machine's control panel should be uncomplicated and totally intuitive. Recently, I've come across new Hotpoint and new Hoover washing machines that you couldn't use properly unless you had the instruction book.

Anyone should be able to walk over to a washing machine, select a program, and options, switch it on, then put the kettle on and leave the washing machine to it. With the Miele Washing machine you can do exactly that.

Things I Didn't Like About This Washing Machine

The way you are supposed to shut the door takes a bit of getting used to, and the door opens the opposite way round to all other washing machines I know. Normally, you close a washing machine door by just pushing it shut. Swinging (or virtually slamming) it shut is definitely not recommended. However, according the instruction book, you hold the door, and "swing" it shut, letting go of it in an almost slamming action. I suppose this shows how strong the door and its catch is, but it's certainly strange. Gauging the correct strength of the slam is initially tricky. Who knows though, with the right kind of attitude, swinging the door shut could even become fun.

The door opens with an electronic door release. This means you simply press a button and it pops open. This is nice, but needs a power supply in order for it to work. Ah I thought, at last something that's a bad idea. I remembered an old Servis washing machine that used electronic door opening, and when the mechanism went faulty, or if the machine fused, customers couldn't open the door without using a screwdriver. Of course I quickly found that Miele have a manual door opening lever behind the filter door.

Repairability & Longevity

Miele washing machines score very highly on reliability and longevity but don't quite get full marks for ease of repairability. This is because although they are perfectly repairable, and in fact less likely than most to need repairing, because of a lack of good technical information to the independent trade many independent repairers don't repair Miele washing machines. Unless a straight forward repair is needed some faults may not be able to be diagnosed without Miele's laptop and software (only available to Miele engineers)..

This means most people are likely to be forced into using Miele engineers for any maintenance. On the one hand, with such a high quality product you could argue that a fully trained Miele engineer is best - but not having the option to get your local trusted repairman in (if you have one) is a disadvantage.

In summary, getting a Miele washing machine repaired should be a rare requirement but if needed you would be better off calling Miele themselves, which is likely to be more expensive than a local repairman. In a way this is not too dissimilar to using a dealer instead of a local garage with a new car. It's not a problem if you prefer to use dealers anyway.

My advice would be that if investing in a Miele washing machine, you really need to be prepared to use Miele engineers for any future repairs. ( Related Blog article: potentially restrictive practices in Miele washing machines )

====================

EXTRACT END

Singapore Miele website ... http://www.miele.sg/

Edited December 6, 2009 by aoi

[lapena 0]

They forgot to add that only a miele washer can wash a Big Pillows because they are the only ones in the market to be able to withstand a load imbalance of more than 2 kg! All other brands cannot withstand load imbalance of more than 1kg! That means once u soak the pillow with water other machines will not be able to spin due to the imbalance load and the reason why the miele can is because of the 2 cast iron counterweights on the front and 1 on the rear axle of the machine, adding 50kg to the 100kg weight! That's why only miele has a pillows programme on their washers! that's quality! Try this at home, chances are, ur washer will try very hard to spin, but after few minutes it will give up!!!

Edited December 6, 2009 by lapena

[aoi 0]

Lapena, what is the maximum washload for your Miele washer?

I saw on Singapore Miele website that their maximum load capacity is only up to 6.5Kg.

Just inquiring, thanks.

Edited December 8, 2009 by aoi

[lapena 0]

Lapena, what is the maximum washload for your Miele washer?

I saw on Singapore Miele website that their maximum load capacity is only up to 6.5Kg.

Just inquiring, thanks.

This is the most interesting bout Miele!In sg, the biggest models are the little Giants, a semi-commercial machine in stainless steel that loads up to 6.5kg! Its the world's most expensive at $8k!It needs a 20 amp power to operate! It has the biggest drum dimension of 80 litres capacity!

But why does miele sell them as 6.5g whereas brands with cheaper materials n smaller drum capacity sell theirs as 8. 9. or even 10kg? Simple, there is the miele pledge of durability and quality that plays a part! Even though it uses cast iron counterweights, shock absorbers, they have determined that stating a bigger dry load for their big capacity is detrimental to the efficiency of the machine for 20yrs! It also reduces the tumbling effect of the honeycomb, if a bigger dry load is stated! Its always interesting to see ignorant sales ppl outside slamming about Miele's 6kg load capacity when u can buy a cheap machine costing less than 1k for 8 kg capacity! The Only thing is that they can't assure u the gentle laundry results n durability of the machines. Imagine this, plastic outer drum, concrete counterweights, wash load of 8 kg,compared to stainless steel outer drum, cast iron counterweights, 6kg load capacity? In which case, i don't think it will cost miele alot if they build a bigger drum, state a bigger load, to satisfy everyone! They have been building washers for 110 yrs, it must mean alot to them that they chose not to otherwise!

[aoi 0]

This is the most interesting bout Miele!In sg, the biggest models are the little Giants, a semi-commercial machine in stainless steel that loads up to 6.5kg! Its the world's most expensive at $8k!It needs a 20 amp power to operate! It has the biggest drum dimension of 80 litres capacity!

But why does miele sell them as 6.5g whereas brands with cheaper materials n smaller drum capacity sell theirs as 8. 9. or even 10kg? Simple, there is the miele pledge of durability and quality that plays a part! Even though it uses cast iron counterweights, shock absorbers, they have determined that stating a bigger dry load for their big capacity is detrimental to the efficiency of the machine for 20yrs! It also reduces the tumbling effect of the honeycomb, if a bigger dry load is stated! Its always interesting to see ignorant sales ppl outside slamming about Miele's 6kg load capacity when u can buy a cheap machine costing less than 1k for 8 kg capacity! The Only thing is that they can't assure u the gentle laundry results n durability of the machines. Imagine this, plastic outer drum, concrete counterweights, wash load of 8 kg,compared to stainless steel outer drum, cast iron counterweights, 6kg load capacity? In which case, i don't think it will cost miele alot if they build a bigger drum, state a bigger load, to satisfy everyone! They have been building washers for 110 yrs, it must mean alot to them that they chose not to otherwise!

Whoa, $8K! I thought $3K++ is already considered a high price...

But for something that is built to last 20~30 years (and who knows, maybe more than 40 years as one user had mentioned about his Miele washer on the internet before), it may have been worth the value.

By the time I grow old, perhaps it is still working in tip-top condition!!

I think budget is a concern for most (though not all) people. Hope to save up for getting a Miele in future. Till then, I will just patiently wait for my current LG to "retire".

[mowaxchua 0]

Hi,

Anyone know if the promo for the home care package still available? Cheers!

[aoi 0]

Here're some more TV commercials of Miele, the king of washing machines...

Miele Washer - Amazing Quality Test: Crash Test

The fantastic drum of Miele washer revealed:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ilOSVjk2hc

Edited December 10, 2009 by aoi

[aoi 0]

Hi,

Anyone know if the promo for the home care package still available? Cheers!

Hi, maybe you can check for latest sales updates at...

http://www.tangs.com.sg/

http://twitter.com/TANGS

Perhaps, they may have another sale near Chinese New Year in February 2010?

I read in another forum that some people are already looking forward to another promotional sales by TANGS, to get a Miele. Because that 2-day sale had been terrific.

Edited December 10, 2009 by aoi

[leafania 0]

sorry to disappoint

kindly refer to http://www.waleedhanafi.com/2009/04/miele-...-all-costs.html

an unhappy experience from a buyer/user with miele singapore

hope this is a rare case

anyway this is what was written in that blog

Saturday, April 04, 2009

Miele Singapore - Avoid At All Costs

I have long held the view that when it comes to tools, you either buy the cheapest or buy the best. This approach owes its origin to Stewart Brand and the Whole Earth Catalog, which I first ran into the late '60s. The idea is that the best way to learn and decide about tools is to start cheap, then when you have determined which features/brands/quality is appropriate, you buy the best.

A domestic tool that we all have to deal with at some point or another is the washing machine. A visit to a local appliance dealer such as Best reveals a huge choice of models at widely varying prices. The question naturally arises as to whether or not there is a measurable difference between the cheapest machine and the best, which is presumably also the most expensive.

Having to set up a new flat some time back, I was faced with this challenge, and decided to purchase the best. Based on reviews and poking around the shops, I settled on a Miele W1514. They are obscenely expensive, but appear to be well built. In fact, Miele makes a big deal about the longevity a customer can expect from their products, as this excerpt from their website shows:

Long life expectancy

A test performed by wfk, Germany's renowned research institute based in Krefeld, proved that Miele appliances last 20 years. Appliances from 6 manufacturers were tested, the result: Only the three Miele washing machines survived in working order. Miele also subjects its appliances to in-house 10,000 hour endurance tests in which they operate day and night. Only Miele sets such a high benchmark.

OK, so we have the Rolls-Royce of washing machines, clearly worth the inflated price.

Except that it broke down after 18 months.

Getting ready to wash a load of clothes before a business trip, the machine turned out to be stone dead. After checking the electrical outlet and fuses, it was clear that the fault was within the machine's power control unit.

While annoying, it would be unreasonable to assume that a single fault is grounds for complaint. A call was placed to the Service number, and after some negotiation, a service man turned up.

Without parts.

It was 4 days later that another service man arrived with the proper part, and replaced the power control unit. Total cost - S$684.57

To put this in context, Best was advertising a Japanese 9.5 litre washing machine for S$320 on the same day. So for more than double the cost of a new washing machine, I had my Miele repaired.

Arriving back from my business trip to find that I had been ripped off by Miele, I wrote a polite letter to the General Manager of the firm in Singapore, requesting a refund based on the fact that the machine had barely been used, and the fault was in a non-moving part, clearly a design problem Miele has with the machine.

It has now been 2 months since I mailed and faxed the letter to Miele, and I have had exactly zero response.

It appears that Miele is trading on its (undeserved) reputation for quality, and simply ignoring customers with product problems.

My conclusion: Avoid Miele Singapore - they are unsafe to do business with.

Edited December 11, 2009 by leafania

[aoi 0]

This is the most interesting bout Miele!In sg, the biggest models are the little Giants, a semi-commercial machine in stainless steel that loads up to 6.5kg! Its the world's most expensive at $8k!It needs a 20 amp power to operate! It has the biggest drum dimension of 80 litres capacity!

But why does miele sell them as 6.5g whereas brands with cheaper materials n smaller drum capacity sell theirs as 8. 9. or even 10kg? Simple, there is the miele pledge of durability and quality that plays a part! Even though it uses cast iron counterweights, shock absorbers, they have determined that stating a bigger dry load for their big capacity is detrimental to the efficiency of the machine for 20yrs! It also reduces the tumbling effect of the honeycomb, if a bigger dry load is stated! Its always interesting to see ignorant sales ppl outside slamming about Miele's 6kg load capacity when u can buy a cheap machine costing less than 1k for 8 kg capacity! The Only thing is that they can't assure u the gentle laundry results n durability of the machines. Imagine this, plastic outer drum, concrete counterweights, wash load of 8 kg,compared to stainless steel outer drum, cast iron counterweights, 6kg load capacity? In which case, i don't think it will cost miele alot if they build a bigger drum, state a bigger load, to satisfy everyone! They have been building washers for 110 yrs, it must mean alot to them that they chose not to otherwise!

I saw this in another forum: Someone was saying...

********************

By the way anybody who wants to buy a washer that have a big load cos wants to wash comforter or king size quilt, I hope this helps;

The sales guy at best denki told me the reason why even miele's high end model( $6k plus)only do 6.5kg is because the higher the load, the hardest it is to do a competent wash! cos over the years it will stress the drums and wear down easily! That is the reason why even miele does not do big load! Its best go to the laundry for king size comforters! I think it makes sense too!!

********************

Edited December 11, 2009 by aoi

[cromodora 0]

sorry to disappoint

kindly refer to http://www.waleedhanafi.com/2009/04/miele-...-all-costs.html

an unhappy experience from a buyer/user with miele singapore

hope this is a rare case

anyway this is what was written in that blog

Saturday, April 04, 2009

Miele Singapore - Avoid At All Costs

I have long held the view that when it comes to tools, you either buy the cheapest or buy the best. This approach owes its origin to Stewart Brand and the Whole Earth Catalog, which I first ran into the late '60s. The idea is that the best way to learn and decide about tools is to start cheap, then when you have determined which features/brands/quality is appropriate, you buy the best.

A domestic tool that we all have to deal with at some point or another is the washing machine. A visit to a local appliance dealer such as Best reveals a huge choice of models at widely varying prices. The question naturally arises as to whether or not there is a measurable difference between the cheapest machine and the best, which is presumably also the most expensive.

Having to set up a new flat some time back, I was faced with this challenge, and decided to purchase the best. Based on reviews and poking around the shops, I settled on a Miele W1514. They are obscenely expensive, but appear to be well built. In fact, Miele makes a big deal about the longevity a customer can expect from their products, as this excerpt from their website shows:

Long life expectancy

A test performed by wfk, Germany's renowned research institute based in Krefeld, proved that Miele appliances last 20 years. Appliances from 6 manufacturers were tested, the result: Only the three Miele washing machines survived in working order. Miele also subjects its appliances to in-house 10,000 hour endurance tests in which they operate day and night. Only Miele sets such a high benchmark.

OK, so we have the Rolls-Royce of washing machines, clearly worth the inflated price.

Except that it broke down after 18 months.

Getting ready to wash a load of clothes before a business trip, the machine turned out to be stone dead. After checking the electrical outlet and fuses, it was clear that the fault was within the machine's power control unit.

While annoying, it would be unreasonable to assume that a single fault is grounds for complaint. A call was placed to the Service number, and after some negotiation, a service man turned up.

Without parts.

It was 4 days later that another service man arrived with the proper part, and replaced the power control unit. Total cost - S$684.57

To put this in context, Best was advertising a Japanese 9.5 litre washing machine for S$320 on the same day. So for more than double the cost of a new washing machine, I had my Miele repaired.

Arriving back from my business trip to find that I had been ripped off by Miele, I wrote a polite letter to the General Manager of the firm in Singapore, requesting a refund based on the fact that the machine had barely been used, and the fault was in a non-moving part, clearly a design problem Miele has with the machine.

It has now been 2 months since I mailed and faxed the letter to Miele, and I have had exactly zero response.

It appears that Miele is trading on its (undeserved) reputation for quality, and simply ignoring customers with product problems.

My conclusion: Avoid Miele Singapore - they are unsafe to do business with.

Is this true?

[leafania 0]

Is this true?

who will waste time writing long blog entry

must be true

Edited December 11, 2009 by leafania