We bought a top of the range Miele, 1800rpm spin very quiet, we DO have kids well one at least and we DO a fair bit of washing 7 or 8 loads a week. Real plus points as far as we were concerned 10 year full warranty and back up and Miele are local to usAnti-flood feature if the machine senses water where it should be it shuts off its supply so no flooded floors (we have wooden floors throughout the downstairs)V V quietFast spinV large capacity (twice what our old indesit had) Economic on power and soap powderDownsides = shit load of money ie £1000 but to please SM and people like him there is a PC slot so that the software can be updated in the unlikely event of a technological breakthrough with washing machines.Capacity was a lot bigger than our tumble drier could take so we had to buy a Miele drier as wellOn the whole it makes life a lot easier and washing is less of a chore.

Gromit wroteOh...according to consumer reviews, a Miele washing machine should last at least 20 years.Which will be perfect in 10 years when water rates have risen through the roof and everyone is cleaning their clothes in dry sonic washers.Tis like buying a telly 20 years ago when there was no concept of plasma screens, or scart/optical inputs. You've got a nice obsolete telly which still works, congrats.

What Adders said. We went looking for a new machine 5 years ago and after spending fruitless hours in the likes of Comet/Currys (friggin' waste of time those places) we went to John Lewis in Wycombe. Not only was the service we received superb, but the machine we ended up with is fantastic (if ever a washing machine could be described as such).We got a Miele, basic model (still 600 quid though) and it's just such a quality piece of kit it's a joy to use. Quiet, neat and tough as old boots. Oh..and the price we paid was less than anywhere else too - and we got a 5 year warranty.We like it so much we bought the same make of dishwasher a month ago - it's virtually silent and has loads of really useful design touches which no one else uses.Oh...according to consumer reviews, a Miele washing machine should last at least 20 years.

I've only had one washing machine and it's still going as strong as the day I bought it............14yrs ago. It's a Zanussi jetsystem (one of the early models a 103something!!!). It's moved over twenty times with me and has more dinks and dents in it than an old Ford Capri...........yet has never once gone wrong/leaked or anything. The modern equivalent is around £450 coz my mother replaced her 17 yr old Zanussi Jetsystem earlier this year with a new model..........nothing wrong with the old one just looked a bit skanky!!! My sister has in the time I've had mine............owned two Candy's a Hotpoint, a Bosch and is now on a Hoover one which has a knackered programmer after only a couple of years and they were all brand new machines!!!! Sorry but I've always sworn Zanussi are good and not too expensive to buy................so far none of my Zanusssi kitchen gadgets have gone wrong including the Fridge/Freezer (same age as the washing machine)!!!!!

silentmemory wroteBUTI'd question how fast yours spins, how much water it uses, how much it weighs, whether it shows you how long it has to go before completing the cycle, etc.Sure, fair point. Spins at about 1200 I think (varies according to load and wash program I believe). It's heavy, but it's down to the fact that the drum is suspended from a cast iron chassis which is used as a proper vibration/noise sink as opposed to the concrete block in 90% of other brands. Water/energy use - well it's 'A' on the sticker jobby thing stuck to the machine in the shop.It has a series of countdown lights showing time to end of cycle, plus it has a PC download facility whereby any new wash cycle which may be required by newer detergents (or whatever - ain't exactly my field this) can be loaded into the machine's programs memory.Oh...one other thing, the whole front of the machine can be opened for any maintenance which means the thing can be worked on in situ unlike most other brands where any innards can only be reached from the rear.I really need to get out more

Gromit wroteSure, fair point. Spins at about 1200 I think (varies according to load and wash program I believe). It's heavy, but it's down to the fact that the drum is suspended from a cast iron chassis which is used as a proper vibration/noise sink as opposed to the concrete block in 90% of other brands. Water/energy use - well it's 'A' on the sticker jobby thing stuck to the machine in the shop.It has a series of countdown lights showing time to end of cycle, plus it has a PC download facility whereby any new wash cycle which may be required by newer detergents (or whatever - ain't exactly my field this) can be loaded into the machine's programs memory.Oh...one other thing, the whole front of the machine can be opened for any maintenance which means the thing can be worked on in situ unlike most other brands where any innards can only be reached from the rear....Is the pillion seat comfortable?...oh, sorry, wrong thread.

Gromit wroteAnd if you do your homework you'll realise that plasma technology won't last the next ten years - LCD will overtake it before long, just as soon as the technology's there to make larger screens more cheaply.But that's the point. They're selling plasma tellies now which have like a 30 year lifetime, when they'll be obsolete in 5.Doesn't make sense to me to pay a grand for a washing machine which might still be working in 30 years. I'll pay £300 and hope it's not too out of date in 10.

Gromit wroteI really need to get out more Not at all, you're helping more than "i've got a" posts will ever do.There's little doubt that Miele are the Rolls Royce of the washing machine world. I'd be very tempted if I had a couple of kids who'd put a strain on normal washers.Obviously though, as a couple without kids, we decided we didn't need the top of the range machine, and went with something with perhaps more features but not quite so archaic architecture.At least I was able to lift my machine out of the packing case and slide it into the gap myself. Any heavier and it would have been a 2 man job.

silentmemory wroteBut that's the point. They're selling plasma tellies now which have like a 30 year lifetime, when they'll be obsolete in 5.Doesn't make sense to me to pay a grand for a washing machine which might still be working in 30 years. I'll pay £300 and hope it's not too out of date in 10.A grand?? You want to quote where I said that?? Ours was a couple of quid short of 600 - and ok, it's not peanuts but I sincerely believe, from our own experience, it's been money well spent as it's a quality item. You are always ready to defend yourself and your recommendation (or otherwise) of personally-experienced kit, well here I am with mine.Seriously - the bloke asked for a recommendation, I gave it that's all.