Well I have just joined the ranks of proud owner of the LG FL Steamwasher and dryer. And cherry red too (who would ever have thought?) Did my due diligence checking out the Consumer Review info and then Googled my way to this site. After reading a lot of postings here I was pretty sure an LG it would be. I've been waiting for my old washer to call it quits for awhile now. I've always had to clean a layer of black dust from beneath it whenever I washed the laundryroom floor. Last time I found a piece of worn metal that had most likely fallen off one of the machines workings and it's been unsure whether it was in normal or gentle cycle mode the last couple of weeks. So when I saw it on sale at Home Depot this past weekend I grabbed my paperwork and lasood my husband and away we went. Of course he thinks I am being reckless but even he came around when he got a look at them and the salesman and I told him about all the ratings and features and the efficiency and how much less water would be going into our septic system. The price is always an issue for my husband but it helped to know about the energy star rebate, the store specials and the long term savings. We are psyched. We will be having them stacked (there's a special kit you can purchase). I did like the pedestal drawers but space is at a premium in my laundry room and we will probably be taking these machines with us when we downsize living quarters in a few years. As it happened, the LG rep was at the Home Depot and answered a few questions that the salesman (who was very knowledgeable) was unsure of. For example, the steam feature is not really meant to take the place of drycleaning which is done with chemicals. It's more of a freshening wrinkle remove session for lighter clothes that get squished in the closet (which is just about everything in our old house). The steamwash feature is meant to be used in conjunction with the washing cycle and my husband is looking forward to melting the ring around the collar from his white dress shirts that is such a pain to get out. He's a greasy guy. Another thing he mentioned to make sure of was that the installer removed the 4 shipping bolts on each machine that hold the drums in place during shipping and make sure we keep the bolts for if we ever move the machines. One final thing. Because I had read on one of FL forums about vibration due to high spin speed. I asked him about it and he gave me the contact info at LG to order the vibration pads for under each foot. The Home Depot salesman was interested in this info also. Apparently you have to get them directly from LG. The number for LG Part & Service is 800-243-0000. The vibration pad part # he gave me was 462OER3001B which he said cost around $20. When I called they said the equivalent part is 4620ER4002B and they are $6.52 each or $26.08 for 4. I figured it was easier than trying to find a stable pad and cut it down to size. Keep in mind if you think vibration might be an issue for you order the pads a week or so ahead so you have them when the machine gets installed. O.K. one more final thing. The Home Depot salesman said NOT TO SIGN until everything is set up and checked for any dents or scratches and that the installer should do a 6 pound test load to make sure everything is working properly (no leaks, level, spin, etc,) BEFORE you sign on the delivery line. So, I should be ready for them when they are delivered next Saturday.

Re: Energy Star Ratings for Dryers: While it's true that dryers do not qualify for current Energy Star parameters...they actually DO IMPACT Energy Usage. All of the current appliance reviews are very enthusiastic about MOISTURE SENSORS in new model dryers. This considerably reduces excess electric/gas usage over old 'bone dry' settings. It also extends the life of clothes/towels by not 'frying' elastic, synthetics, and other fabrics. Additional plus to the model we purchased is Remote unit that goes anywhere you are in house. Digital readout of time, etc. enables you to keep track of special loads, and reduces need for those extended 'wrinkle reducing' extended tumble times! Again, more ENERGY SAVINGS. In general, most of us are going to have to make a few adjustments in 'the way things were' if we are truly committed to adjusting our 'conveniences' to save our planet...and our wallets! Manufacturers are listening... so speak up! They heard us say, "We want to save ENERGY" so they started from there. Now we have to help them 'tweak' their efforts from our consumer perspective. Got the DLG7188WM model w/out steam function...how often will you use that...and what about old fashioned spray bottle and quick tumble? It's quite an improvement over Mom spraying Dad's shirts...then freezing them until she got to the ironing part! Did I just date myself?!

mark40511 "I hear they use a LOT of water". I have the 2487 and matching dryer in red. I am not sure how that statement is founded. While I do not have the actual water usage amount, based on my experience AND the countless FL testemonials, I am not sure any FL brand uses heavier amounts of water vs other brands. It took me a while to wrap my mind around the lack of water and how there was any possiblity that clothes were clean with the amount of water used. When I have washed our guest room comforter, I use extra water and extra rinse, I am sure those options use a large amount water. Honestly that is the only time I can really see water in the tub. FL's really rock, after almost two years I still at times turn on the tub light and watch the clothes wash!! lol

Ah, been wondering when the CR's rating of Miele would be mentioned. I have subscribed to CR for over 30 years. It has its place and value. Unfortunately, they have their opinion that a washing machine has to have large capacity. If you don't, then you get down rated. Also, I suspect some unknown matrix of cost/performance/function to make it really hard to figure their rating system. I suspect even the IEC 4 CF W48xx would get dinged, somehow. So this is not the first time, one might have to ignore CR numeric rating, if you put a value on some aspect outside the norm ( or if I dare say, know more or value your ability to rate your own values). For example, at one time they took the position that all sports/luxury cars were unnecessary and overpriced. Therefore, they did even bother to rate them. Now they do- even the Corvette and even higher priced cars. Did not stop me from buying an unrated Audi or BMW? Same for digital cameras. Go look at my Nikon D200 in this month's CR issue. It has more "red dots", got the highest image quality (is that important for a camera?), yet CR rates it mid-pack. I suspect the cost. Who knows, who cares, is the point? If you know a lot about digital cameras and have other sources- like perhaps a good forums review sites - like the one Amazon just bought.