I have a Miele 4840 and was in the showroom at Beverly Hills last week and I asked about the mildew. Told the showroom reps that I wiped out the rubber around the door to avoid mildew and they said I did not have to do that at all. Just close the door. I don't need to leave the door open to dry it out. I live in Orange County CA so our humidity here is about 50-60% on average. I had an old Maytag FL which I loved and had the mildew problem on that seal and bleached in monthly. Never had a problem or the smell that some people had. Was lucky I guess and never had a mechanical problem. Would have bought another one but they are now Whirlpool. If you haven't bought your washer yet I would pick one that the controls are set up for what you need and like. I liked the extra 4th rinse of the Maytag that could be selected as part of the wash cycle. Only one selection on the Miele-sensitive- gives you a 3rd rinse automatically. There is a Quick Rinse selection but you have to set it separately so look at that before you choose. And there is no literature that I know of that describes the number of rinses with each selection. You have to ask Miele. I found that the sales people at stores are not that versed in this brand. I have a Miele double oven, warming drawer and hood and love each one. Miele has a new hood that I like better. because of the lighting. The hoods are noisy though. good luck.

The Best value front loader, A Independent appliance store and their scratch and dent department. I got a Maytag MAH9700AWW front loader in March for $400 for the washer and $250 for a matching dryer, after rebates from Maytag and the public utility. Sure it was last years model and it was made by Samsung and we got a ground fault interrupter free (because of a recall). I did opt for the 5 year warranty for $350 for both machines. I am cheap and always willing to save some money on a top of the line washer and dryer and paying less then a good quality top loader. I am also on a well and it is great that we got the machine as we have saved a quite a bit of water that never makes it into the septic system.

FL vs TL debate will continue LOL I am 60 years old and always used a TL until recently. When after two ddeliveries of Speed Queens proved to be lemons...I decided to take the leap and buy a Whirlpool Duet FL. ..lets back up a bit....I had a routine in my TL'ers...I always added boiling water after the load was started and filled with hot..for whites, bedding, bath, and kitchen towels by dumping soup pots of boiling water into the machine to boost the temp...that started to really become a chore for this old carcuss to cart those heavy pots, I started dreaming of a FL'er with a onboard heater. The more I thought about it the more desirable it sounded..BUT I was concerned about low water levels, HE detergent, and reports of mold....but this heater was really getting my attention. ..than the good folks in the Laundry forum started nudging me towards a FL...I was scared, understand laundry is my thing..I enjoy laundry and all the challenges it can present...so I gave up my ocean of water for a heater...I can now choose between cold (I dont use cold) to hot, and I am talking 154+F...and everything inbetween......no more pots of boiling water. My textiles are clean, stain free, soft, fluffy and so fresh smelling, with much less work on my part. As far as moldy machines..it only takes a few seconds to wipe out the door seal and leave the door open when not in use. The use of hot water at lead t for your whites and bedding will also keep the machine clean. I won't go back to a TL'er....my whites have never been more white.

Those were good machines,but not without there share of problems which is fairly well documented. 13 years old is sketchy even for an orginal Neptune. It would be a questionable when there are clearly better choices with superior cleaning capability. Not to mention it is nearing or at end of life. I will concur, newer doesn,t mean better. What is different is the amount of water used and that makes a difference, not necessarirly with cleaning, but flushing and rinsing. In that respect almost any older FL will outperform any modern FL. It's pretty much the same reason an older dishwasher would knock out a load of filthy dishes in 30 min washed and dried. The newer siblings take 2.5 hours, less water, with mixed cleaning results. I am hopeful with a new president those energy regs go bye bye and let appliances work the way they were intended to.