Front-loader washing machine - suggestions and deals?

mooboy on 15/02/2016 - 12:42

My old Bosch front-loader washing machine stopped spinning on the weekend. Had it for over 15 years, so I guess it's lived out its useful life.

Any recommendations on a replacement (model and shop)? Just need a smaller one (5-8kg). Or, should I investigate the repair option first?

Thanks!

PS. Anyone had any experience with the front-loader cum dryer all in one machines? I rarely use a dryer, but could be useful for those emergency situations.

PPS. Looking at some slightly older forum posts, Bosch seems to not have best rep - LG are considered better? https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/211180

Home & Garden Washing Machine

Comments

  • CyberMurning on 15/02/2016 - 14:05

    yeah not bosch again!. we have one front loading and somehow if we put washing powder they will stuck and will not get dissolved 100% at the end of washing cycle. very annoying. and we need to empty the water from some weird round thingie at the right bottom part of the machine.

    • mskeggs on 15/02/2016 - 14:53

      Try the Nature's organics laundry liquid. $2.20 per liter.

  • MITM on 15/02/2016 - 14:29

    We use laundry liquid in our 7kg LG FL - so there is no disolving issue, besides, I want the detergent working from the get go.
    But if you put too much in,then the bubbles tend to back up into the dispenser drawer - so that when the next water input happens, the water travels backwards and comes out the drawer - onto the floor.

    1 thing I recently learned after many years of use - you can pause the washing machine, this allows you to change the settings (temp, spin rate/ cycle)
    I used to press STOP and wait 2-5 mins for the door to unlock, before restarting.

    As a rule, I never use any setting but 30 minutes. I cant see how clothes are that dirty, they need longer.
    Perhaps if they were muddy from footy - but then I'd takes them to the laundromat to save my machine.
    And I use 1200 RPM.
    Sometimes after a load has finished - I may put it through the rinse & spin to absolutely get the detergent out.
    All the other setting are not necessary.

    Oh, and the delay timer is useful.

    • mooboy on 15/02/2016 - 14:51

      Thanks MITM & eisniwre. Looks like Bosch's QC has dropped on their washing machines.

      MITM, is that the LG WD12021D6 7kg Front Load Washing Machine? (http://www.appliancesonline.com.au/7kg-front-load-lg-washing…)
      $689 delivered seems a pretty good deal.

      I really am tempted by the washer/dryer combo despite the extra price. $1150 (http://www.appliancesonline.com.au/lg-washer-dryer-combo-wd1…)

      But, not sure an extra $450 is worth it for the few times I'd need/want to use a dryer.

      • MITM on 15/02/2016 - 14:57

        Yes, that looks like it.
        It also has a "self clean" mode - takes a couple of hours, so set it at night.

        I thought of the combo, but thought if something goes wrong, I'm without a washer AND a dryer for however long.
        Put a cheap dryer in your garage with a front vent.

        I'm very happy with my LG fridge too.

        Our previous washer motor crapped out - $500 to replace, so got the new machine and warranty. May have been a Bosch, can't recall.

  • mskeggs on 15/02/2016 - 14:54

    Our 5yro Bosch has been flawless, touch wood. If you want a code for $50 off $300 spend at seconds world, PM me.
    We just bought a dishwasher (Bosch, funnily enough) and got a coupon we won't use when it was delivered.

    • prubie on 18/04/2016 - 01:26

      I'd love that code if it's still going..

      • mskeggs on 18/04/2016 - 07:21

        Sorry, only had 14 day validity.

  • derek324 on 15/02/2016 - 15:48

    Went through many brands in my life (admittedly never Bosch), eventually bought Miele (the cheapest model they had). Just works, year after year. Same with Miele dishwasher - after many years not a single problem. But I trust Bosch professional tools, so I suspect their white goods are likely to be also excellent.

  • lainey13 on 15/02/2016 - 17:08
    +1

    My Samsung front loader lasted from 2007 to 2013 before the belt died. If you feel handy you can always open up yours and investigate a replacement belt. Very easy to take off and put on a new one, only discovered after paying a repairer $180 to fix mine. At least it is still going strong! But wouldn't pay that again, my next purchase would be a direct drive, such as F&P, to eliminate belt problems.

    • mooboy on 16/02/2016 - 11:24

      Thanks for the info! This sounds like might be a reasonable repair to get a bit more life out of my machine. Going to see if I can source the part for a reasonable price and if that fixes it or not. I'd just assumed the whole spin motor was blown and that it'd be a costly enough repair that I may as well look at getting a new one.

      • mooboy on 18/02/2016 - 15:29
        +1

        I've opened it up and considered the three basic things that could cause the issue and be replaced: the drive belt, the carbon brushes and the drain pump all appear to be fine. So, seems it's time to get a new washing machine after all. But thanks for your suggestion. Now I feel more confident in my decision to replace it - that it's unlikely to be a cheap, easy fix.

        • El Grande on 13/04/2016 - 19:19

          Hi Mooboy. My Bosch stopped draining today. It looks like something is stuck in the drain pump. I began to remove the back cover (after watching a tutorial on youtube) and it has torx screws. I was wondering if you knew what size they were so I don't end up buying the whole Bunnings. Thanks.

        • mooboy on 13/04/2016 - 23:21

          @El Grande:

          Yeah - for mine it was T20 (I watched all those youtube videos too, lol). Good luck, and definitely don't buy any replacement parts unless you're sure you've found the cause.

          I ended up getting a new Bosch washer/dryer combo. I'm actually very happy with it - it's much quieter than my old one (probably helped to be set up new, nice and level). Just hope the PCB doesn't burn out a few months after warranty ends :)

        • El Grande on 13/04/2016 - 23:58

          @mooboy: Thanks for that. I finally managed to remove the filter in front of the drain pump (bottom right). Mine was stuck so I had to use pliers and a bit of gentle force to open it. Not recommended by everyone online but I was getting desperate as 60% of my wardrobe needed to be washed.

          In case you are wondering there were 3 hair pins stuck in there. I have no clue how they can get in the washing machine let alone get stuck in the pump. The machine is working fine now.

  • custom on 17/02/2016 - 09:56

    I am also in the same situation. Currently looking at:
    * LG 7KG WD12021D6 for around the $650
    * F&P 8KG WH8060P1 for around $900

    Are Bosch really that much better in terms of quality?

    • mooboy on 18/02/2016 - 15:31

      From what I've read recently, it seems these days you're just paying for the Bosch name.

      The LG has good reviews from Choice magazine - so put whatever value on that you want.

      By the way, where did you see it for 650? I see Appliances Online have it now for 669 with free delivery and removal. Is there a cheaper place?

      • custom on 18/02/2016 - 17:34
        +1

        I got $649 delivered with appliances online by using the $20 discount coupon TAKE20FEB16

  • PVA on 13/04/2016 - 19:30

    we bought a Panasonic about 2 years back. Been good so far (was an 8,5kg model).
    It's direct drive motor, no belt and super quiet running. and a million programs and options but easy to use.

  • Chewie on 13/04/2016 - 23:26

    I just bought a Samsung 8kg front loader this morning from the Good Guys for $677. But there was delivery for $50 or $69 for delivery and install. I got the latter because I'm lazy.

  • Pumpkin_rrr on 14/04/2016 - 11:19

    Hubby hates front loader add he think they are slow. Anyway when we bought this unit, the seller sold their Miele Dryer and Washer to us. We were both very impressed. It's 10 years old but it's so efficient. Definitely not cheap but clever. Eg it has a 'do not rinse'function which makes washing much faster and cheaper. The Dryer has a tray that collects water and kept in bathroom, it never evaporates. SIL has different brand and problem all the time.

    Yes go Miele!

  • prubie on 19/04/2016 - 19:06

    Here's a spreadsheet I made of current prices for the $500-700 range which might help.

    • harrylovevee on 02/05/2016 - 16:38

      Any chance you can upload the file again?

  • SydOzber on 02/05/2016 - 17:22

    Purchased Samsung WW75J4213IW. Very efficient and happy with the performance so far.

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