It's incredible attention to these types of details that makes Miele special in my mind, and worth the price. They put a lot of thought into the product. God forbid someone's child or pet end up inside the washing machine, but if it did happen wouldn't you then feel the trivial amount of money saved on a Whirlpool vs. Miele would have been money well spent? I don't begrudge anyone their choice of machine - it's wonderful having lots of choices. But if you look at the big picture of having a machine that will likely last you 20 years with a potentially life-saving feature, doesn't that alone justify the price? Here is a sad news story in case you think kids never die in washing machines. Here is a link to some front-load child safety devices. Consumer Reports blog article about how over 2,000 children end up hurt (or worse) each year in washers. Unfortunately the after-market door locks don't help once a child or pet is INSIDE the machine. This is where Miele's ingenious feature shines. I don't know whether other manufacturers have implement this feature like Miele.

I have a Miele Novotronic that has served me well for many years. Never, ever did I have a mould or stinky laundry problem. What I think is happening is that the newer washers have plastic drums. That the hottest temperature cycle is not very hot (mine is 90Cel). People use liquid detergent which gums things up. People use liquid fabric softener. I am sure there are more reasons for why your washer may smell but having to clean your washing machine is ridiculous. But having looked into other front loaders for a rental unit some years ago I discovered all the current models have odor issues. Why doesn't my Miele have these issues? For one, it's not a large capacity machine -- Miele has since stopped producing large machines for the American market; I can see why. Building the large one in the same manner mine was built would basically make the unit unaffordable. Also, I would imagine that certain parts, such as the drum, to accommodate a larger load, need to be lighter. My point, to do such a machine right, it would have to cost a whole lot more than for what it sold. No current front loader marked for the home market in this country appears to be free from the odor issues. Try to use powdered detergent. You can order "Persil" through Miele, both for white clothing and for "colors". The Persil for white clothing can be bought in a larger economy size. I usually buy a package once a year. Of course, I use different products for different materials. Miele's silk/fine fabric liquid, etc. Whenever possible, buy powder instead of liquid. Don't use fabric softener. Unless you plan to airdry your laundry, there really is no need for fabric softener. It only helps to gum things up. Also, use the minimum amount of detergent; measure, don't just add. The environment will thank you as well. Don't just wash cold, wash cycles that require very hot temperatures (I am afraid in the large Miele's you may not be able to wash hotter than 70F, but it's better than nothing). When you are done, wipe the interior and especially where the water collects in the rubber part. Then leave the door slightly open. See whether this works. Perhaps you can let me know?

Sinky clothes is almost always due to using the "Normal" cycle. This cycle does NOT use the onboard heater. It takes HEATED water to remove organic stains and odors. We use the custom cycle almost 90% of the time. Towels (even colored), underwear and other such items are washed on Sanitize heat. Normal colored clothes are washed on very warm and whites are whased on hot. NOTHING stinks. Everything comes clean. We DO NOT use Tide, Era, etc. most of the time. Only when there is a very stained piece of clothing and the stain is organic (food, grass, blood, etc.) We normally use BacOut and other Bi-O-Kleen laundry products. They are ALL natural enzyme cleaners and do a very good job. Just don't like bleach (unless someone is puking) nor the commercial cleaners. That stuff is just NOT good for the environment and it sometimes builds up on the clothes.

I can't say about Miele fault codes .... but your problem apparently is that one of the water inlet valves (hot or cold, whichever supply faucet is turned off to stop the flow ... some Mieles may be only cold fill) is physically hung open and needs replacement.