Looking to replace our washing machine.To cut a long story short we replaced our trusted Zanussi in January after 12 years of brilliant service.Replaced it with a Hoover that proved disasterous.The first one 'ate' 2 sets of clothes and was replaced with the same model.The second blew up after very little usage.The engineer informed us that they are not build to last with cheap plastic parts.Dreadful customer service from Currys and Hoover with both blaming each other.Anyway we are now looking for a third machine in 7 months.Recommendations please.

I've had a Bosch for about 10 years and am very happy with it.

Do think it may be the luck of the draw, had a Bosch for two years and threw it out it, was a disaster from the first month apart from the unreliability it took for ever to do anything replaced it with a Hover that has been wonderful from the word go I am now beginning to wonder if I will be able to take advantage of the 5 year guarantee.

Heard great things about Bosch machines.. Somehow always ended up with Zanussi with no issues. Money no object? I'd go for a Maytag!!

Heard great things about Bosch machines

Yes I had as well that is why I bought one, bought a dishwasher as well both now gone, both very disappointing, may be I was unlucky the washing machine was always very slow and I was not impressed with the wash and the dishwasher continually broke down although the performance was good.

Bosch for me too.  I love the fact that I have a choice of spin speeds, and a larger than average drum.  I did look at Miele but it was more expensive, and a bit out of reach.

I've had no problems at all with Bosch.

Our washing machine basically never stops, as we are a two household bungalow (mother in law and stepson live in a granny flat) and of course I wash a LOT of animal blankets etc. I'd always had Zanussi or Indesit and they always break down sooner or later, like the vacuums with a lot of use they don't last very long. Last time we had our previous one repaired, before it got so bad we had to bin it, the repair man said in future get a Bosch as in his professional experience, they do last better. So we did. Cost a bit more, although I got a good deal as I picked a BLACK one -seems nobody wanted black so it was in a sale. Only had it a few months but so far so good, we shall see.

> I've had no problems at all with Bosch

We've had lots of Bosch machines of different sorts. The only problem was a washing machine which had a particular type of pump fitted which continually went wrong. The next w/machine we bought was a Hotpoint which has been going for 8 years without any problems. However, the next machine will probably be another Bosch.

It does make a dfference, of course, whether the local water is soft/hard, whether the machine is frequently overloaded, whether filters are cleaned regularly etc etc Some appliances are just misused :) :) :)

We have two washing machines, one for us and one for the dog stuff. Miele with 1600 spin speed for us, Bosch with 1200 spin speed for the dogs. We've had them both for about the same time, both are fantastic so couldn't say which one is best.

I know how you feel - we have a whirlpool american style top loader, it must be about 15 years old and has washed everything from woollen jumpers to kingsize quilts with no problems but its now on its last legs as it isn't spinning properly and philips don't make them any more. I really don't want to change back to a front loading machine so I'm hoping it can be fixed!

I have had two Bosch machines, one for 7 years (basic model) given to brother when I bought a dishwasher and washing machine to match also Bosch 5 years ago now.

Did a lot of washing, including all the dogs stuff.

> Miele with 1600 spin speed for us

Ditto.  I love the flexibility of temperature, spin speed and duration of wash and find the 30 minute quick wash incredibly useful :)

I have had my AEG 8 years now and love it.  It has an 8kg wash capacity with a 1600 rev spin.  Only down side is it doesn't have a quick wash programme (it is super energy efficient) but it does have a start timer delay, I fill the machine in the evening and set it to start at 5am and it's finished by the time I get up all ready to hang out :-).

Whatever machine I buy next it will have to have start timer delay.

You pays you money and you takes your chances - as the say !.

We currently have John Lewis own make washing machine and tumble dryer. Both around 6 years old now and really pleased with both. I wanted larger capacity on both (8kg) and for the price with a 2 year guarantee they were priced well. Love the 20 min wash at lower temp.

- seems they come with a 3 year guarantee now - that's good.

Our Bosch lasted just under 17 years :-). It died a couple of weeks ago. I can't afford another so bought an Indesit. Apparently the new machines from Bosch are not as reliable--the cheaper ones are made on licence in various countries, it's only the pricey ones that are still good. There are lots of good review sites online and worth checking and a few retailers with some good offers at the moment. Good luck! I feel like I've just placed my cash on 20 red...hope this new machine is a better bet than roulette.

It seems that many of the once reliable machines are simply not built to last.Our experience with the Hoover underlines this.

Dakkobear, I've had my new replacement whirlpool for @ 8 months, I'd be horrified if they stopped making them! My old one is the same age as yours and doesn't always spin but I use it for dog towels, maybe we need a mangle?! I would be lost without that machine and the big dryer even if it does eat up electric.

Bosch washing machine and dishwasher, both over 10 years old and still great.  Daughter's are older..  would definitely replace with same.

Had Zanussi for around 12 years now, has an extra large capacity (7.5kg I think) can fit in king size duvet, large vet bed etc. It still going strong but the electronic countdown display doesn't work anymore.

Before that had Hoover for for about 13 years.

Prior to that Indesit for about 3 years which didn't wash the clothes very well, was always noisy and bounced around the kitchen!

Miele for me had mine years and it's done a few muddy football kits in its time:)

The 15 minute wash on the Bosch is invaluable for things like wet dog coats which fundamentally only need a quick rinse after an English summer wet walk!

In the past I've had, Hoover, Zanussi and Hotpoint.

Some expensive top of the range models, and the last one, a cheap model in the sale and bought in a rush when we had puppies and the old washer broke.

My washing machines have always had extra work (due to child/adult bed wetter) and have been used at least once a day and many days a lot more.

Hoover, good wash with a timer but didn't last long.

Hotpoint ok until the last one, rubbish wash and doesn't get marks out even on boil wash

Zanussi no complaints will go back to them when I need a new machine.

I had a Zanussi FL1012 for years, and My Dad had his until the casing rusted out, but the machine was till going strong, though had had a new controller fitted after the first 10 years.

As with most things the newer machines don't seem to be made to last as well as the older ones.

I have lived here for 23 years and am only on my third machine, and had I not got the dishwasher/washer offer when I had kitchen re-tiled etc, might still have been on the second, which I gave my brother (he has since moved, and left the machine behind).