General Enquiries And Questions

My mum's washing machine has given up the ghost, and so we need to get her a replacement (the old one was a hoover washer dryer - nothing but trouble since she got it, and now the main board has gone, as well as something to do with the dryer).

I've talked her into separates, and she's managed to get hold of an old dryer, which means we're now just looking for a washing machine for her.

She's on her own mainly, unless my wife and I are staying with her, so there shouldn't be too much washing.

She only ever uses the 30 degree and 40 degree washes, with the occasional delicates wash. I don't think there's anything else she'll need or use.

I realise the ISE5 is supposed to be good, but at approx £500 inc delivery and fitting, it seems a lot of money, so I wanted to give my mum a cheaper option.

I realise Miele are supposed to be great, but the high purchase cost (and high spare parts costs) puts me off.

I've read most of the articles on here, but am still really unsure on what to look for.

I'd thought about maybe a Bosch. Can anyone let me know the cheapest model that is made in Germany?

Can anyone recommend a Bosch, or anything else cheaper than the ISE5. We're just looking for a basic washer that will be reliable / trouble free really.

All advice is greatly appreciated

EDIT: It's a standalone machine in the garage, so size and colour don't matter (within reason!)

Jim , as far as i'm aware , NO Bosch machine has a sealed tub -

Gorenje do a decent budget selection.

Penguin45.

Thanks for the replies.

I noticed tonight that Comet are selling a BOSCH WAA24162GB for £238, and you can pay a further £110 to increase it to a five year warranty.

Would anyone care to comment?

The WLX 24162 seems to be a Which? best buy. Does anyone know the difference between the WAA and WLX bosch machines?

I realise the ukwhitegoods articles recommend NOT using large stores like comet, though £350 to get a washing machine with a five year warranty seems pretty good value. If the machine is up to it that is.

The other option I suppose would be to go for the ISE5 for around £500, or some other Miele machine.

Am really not sure, as it's only going to be a pretty low use machine.

jonnyw wrote:I noticed tonight that Comet are selling a BOSCH WAA24162GB for £238, and you can pay a further £110 to increase it to a five year warranty.

It`s their entry level machine, no bells and whistles. Not a bad buy and it has the usual Bosch two year warranty.

jonnyw wrote:The WLX 24162 seems to be a Which? best buy. Does anyone know the difference between the WAA and WLX bosch machines?

WLX is the slim depth machine, it`s only 40cm deep and only has a 4.5 kg load capacity. You would get better value for your pound by going for it`s 6kg partner the WAE24363.

If you can go the extra then I would deffinately go with the[url=http://shop.ukwhitegoods.co.uk/product_info.php?ref=5&products_id=469&affiliate_banner_id=1"]ISE5 1600 spin AAA rated with a full five-year warranty[/url]



HTH

Don

I was under the impression NO Bosch is made in Germany now.

Kentish wrote:I was under the impression NO Bosch is made iin Germany now.

Official line from Bosch when I spoke to them a while back on this very subject is they are now made in the EU ( Germany not in the EU then ), nobody was prepared to say exactcly where, perhaps they don`t even know themselves They do / did have quite a few factories in several countries across mainland Europe though.

Don

Kentish wrote:I was under the impression NO Bosch is made iin Germany now.

So what's the big deal about Germany all of a sudden? We're all in the EU now and pool our resources accordingly. Bosch have plants in Germany, Poland, Spain, Czech republic and Turkey. They are in the process of doing a deal in the USA as I type (Ohio seems to be the likely spot) Plus a little bird tells me they are wandering around China for another partner and possible manufacturing plant out there...so there.!

nomadpaul wrote:Jim , as far as i'm aware , NO Bosch machine has a sealed tub -

Bosch have been making sealed tubs for over 14 months now to my certain knowledge. Their WAA24162GB/11 is a typical example of a sealed tub by the way. It's good quality too and what's more, very cheap to replace should it fail for any reason.

Bosch have got it sussed my friend.....selbsverstentlich!

jonnyw wrote:

I'd thought about maybe a Bosch. Can anyone let me know the cheapest model that is made in Germany?

Since the OP asked the above question, I think it's a big deal that no Bosch machines are made in Germany.

Martin wrote: Plus a little bird tells me they are wandering around China for another partner and possible manufacturing plant out there...so there.!

What.............. like this one they started washing machine production in, in March 2007


http://www.bsh-group.cn/index.php?104312

It's about expectations, isn't it?

"Bosch" in the UK has traditionally represented solid German dependability. In Germany, Bosch is looked upon much as we used to look upon Hotpoint before Indesit got their hands on it - Seimens is their "better" brand over there.

The simple truth is that it's a complete minefield.........

Penguin45.

wsts wrote:What.............. like this one they started washing machine production in, in March 2007

No, they're looking at teaming up with a partner with an already established plant in China. The subject of which has been mentioned before, so I'll say no more on that.

Yes indeed Bosch have always been regarded as a dependable product made in Germany. But Bosch are today a global German company spanning the continents with their quality products for today's customers. Had they stayed at home they'd have been swallowed up years ago by some Italian company. Like AEG for example.

The OP wanted a German made Bosch then take your pick from any one in their range my friend. All are German quality approved even though they may never have touched the soil of the fatherland. Gutes qualität deutsches produkt am der weld.

Penguin45 wrote:The simple truth is that it's a complete minefield.........

I certainly won't disagree with that!

With regards to the German request, it was due to the washing machine article on this site, which implied that the ones made in Germany were better.

Further to previous posts (really sorry to be such a pain here), my mum has spoken to someone who has (and swears by) a Miele washing machine, and so is now considering one of these as well (along with an increase in budget obviously)

I've been on their site, and found what appear to be their budget models (PLEASE correct me if I'm wrong here), the Miele W1613 (£570) and the Miele W562 Prestige Plus 6 (£550).

They seem to be pretty much the same (at least I couldn't notice any significant difference here), only the W1613 seemed to look a bit nicer, and have a better door for loading clothes???

The site goes on about them being designed to last 20 years (which sounds great if it is in fact true) though I realise spare parts are gonna be expensive.

If looking to pay that much, I suppose I should again really be looking at the ISE5.

I notice it's out of stock at the moment - any ideas when more stock will be due for the UK?

What are peoples thoughts on the budget Miele's?

Finally, with so many companies going bump these days, are these 5 (or even 10) year warranties worthless, should either ISE, Miele or Comet go bankrupt?

Sorry to be asking so many questions. It seems such a minefield, and I want to get something reliable for my mother, whilst not spending any more than is necessary.

Thanks again for everyone's input so far