Hi MizLizzie, did you decide what machines to buy? I have a narrow and shallow laundry closet with an 80s version of a Thin Twin in it at a rental property, and I am debating whether to get the Speed Queen laundry center because it is pretty pricey but huge for such a depth (most shallow washers are 1.5 to 2 cubic feet, the SQ is 3.3). All other frontloaders are about 30 inches deep and stick out way too far. If you have the space, you should put in the full size W/D because it is easier to find a replacement down the road. Also, you can get a much larger tub size, up to 7 cubic feet. I can tell you that the steam dryers (I have an Electrolux WaveTouch at home) spray water into the drum as they tumble and it is better than putting a damp cloth in there because the dampness is better distributed. I have no use for the steam washer setting though. Hope this helps!

I don't see how you can go wrong. All the new technology added to washing machines is for energy efficiency or marketing nonsense (steam, etc.) I spent a year with an HE frontloader and loathed it. For $1500, I expected an appliance that would make life easier, not harder. A machine that would got clothes cleaner with less effort. A machine that didn't take all day to wash clothes. For those who say Europe has used front loaders for decades, I would say yes, but not the giant-sized, hyper-efficient water-starved machines that are for sale today. They don't use enough water to wash and rinse properly and I'll never be convinced otherwise or purchase another. A year of experience with it was enough proof for me.

You don't say whether your FP washer is a TL or FL. In my opinion and experience, having to buy ANY washer & dryer these days is a dilemma in itself. If you buy some Top Loaders you can have some control over the water level; otherwise, forget that with any and all Front Loaders. My Speed Queen FL (cost $1800) is built like a tank and works like a charm except for the water level (13.4 gal split between washing and rinsing!???). San Diego Steve will tell you that is plenty and he has even posted that he sold that model and bought the newer one which uses even less total water per wash cycle (11.xx gal I think). He and I are in complete disagreement on how 4 gal of water can rinse a set of King size sheets that remain in a wad. So FL vs TL is the first hurdle. I'm not sure how much water a SQ TL uses, but that would be my first question. My FL spins like crazy. I would have bought an FP but they are not sold anywhere in the Dallas, TX area. Maytag used to make a Centennial model which my daughter in law has and it has a deep rinse which fills the tub, but might no longer be made. Sorry not to have any more helpful information. The Chinese factor would scare me off as well with the FP. Good luck and please post your final decision with the outcome. It will be up to date and may help others.

@Y: I have not used Cascade yet. The technician said that because it has Dawn in the formula, it gets very sudsy. I am back to using 1/2 tab of the Miele detergent and have taken out the AutoDos disk. My technician also advised against using rinse agent and no salt because I have a softener. He thinks the AutoDos settings are too high but it would require a firmware update to change how the AutoDos is dispensed and Miele doesn't seem to be in any rush to do that. He also thinks that the stainless steel that is used in these newer models is different and it may not rinse completely clean. This is quite disappointing. I specifically bought the higher end model for the convenience of the AutoDos but now I can't use it because of the filming. @dadoes: I have never added Miele salt to my dishwasher because I have a whole house water softener and my machine has never given me an Add Salt flag. I can't remember if the onboard softenere was disabled when installed since the installation team knew I had a softener.