Thank you very much, louder5, and you too, 1_ohio_bald_eagle. A friend needs a 24" range (the electric model, though–no gas here) with convection and the blomberg and Verona are the only ones available that size. Yes, bald eagle, we expect that service will be a serious problem, but it would be a serious problem for anything but the super cheap GE coil models, too. We're in an area where very few brands have authorized surface, which is odd, because there are plenty of Big Corporate Name families who have very expensive vacation homes nearby. But I guess Molteni goes to you wherever you are. Sorry for the semi-OT, johnnytoobad, but the repair problem is a very valid point, so maybe it's a good thing I detoured a bit.

I just put down a deposit on the new Asko compact model W6424 which replaces the discontinued W6222. I don't expect to take delivery for at least a month but will write a review in the future. According to the specs on Asko's web site, the dBA level for the wash cycle is 54 and 75 for the spin cycle. The main difference between the 6222 and the new model is that the drop-down door on the washer has been eliminated. But the 6424 has the 24-hour delay start feature which is something I wanted. Incidentally, Asko's web site indicated that the 6222 had this feature, but it's an error that I brought to their attention. I saw the 6424 at a home show recently and talked to the regional distributor. He said that the new model has a slightly larger capacity than the 6222, and then went into a discussion about differences in the advertised capacities and the real capacities. Without mentioning the name of a competitor's compact model (he was talking about the Bosch compact) he said their advertised capacity of 3.4 cubic ft. is misleading and for a true apples-to-apples comparison to check the Energy Star web site. Below is a link; click on "Qualified Clothes Washers" on the right hand side for an excel spreadsheet comparing all current washers. I hope this is is helpful. Here is a link that might be useful: Washer comparisons on Energy Star web site

Was very happy with my Bosch pair. It's easy to use and does an excellent job. I had the condenser dryer and really liked it a lot. Normal drying times, I would say. I have the Miele set now, which are pluperfect, but for what you're describing Bosch will be fine. I've seen the Blomberg around but can't comment.

I had a Bosch condenser dryer with the same model washer as egganddart. It was not especially slow. It did a very good job. It was in a closet in the kitchen and the door needed to be left open. It did make that area warm but to say it heated up the house (which was an apartment with open kitchen) is not true. It replaced an illegal vented dryer that was not vented (long story) but we did not see any increase in the electric bill after putting it in. The only nuisance was a grill that had to be cleaned periodically. If someone doesn't have space or option for a vented dryer then condenser is the only real choice. Miele most certainly does make a condenser dryer. And I'm told they are discontinuing their vented dryers -- enduring and I got some of the last ones it seems. I don't see why you couldn't get a Miele washer and a different dryer -- buffalotina has that set up I believe. The only thing is can it be stacked with a different machine? If it needs to be stacked or fit into a closet then you're basically talking about pairs unless there is some super clever solution I've never read about (which there very well could be). Why I posted about the washer is because it does exactly what the OP says she wants. Excellent on hand wash. Excellent high temp cycles (sanitize is 165F and if you want to see an example I'm attaching the Miele cheat sheet which shows espresso stained chinos before and after. ) The high speed spin is excellent. And everything is adjustable. The Miele dryer is good to very good I would say. I didn't like the Asko dryer at all. My recollection is that I liked the Bosch condenser dryer best but it was nowhere near as adjustable as the Miele dryer which can partially dry woolens without issue. Miele's dryer has some very delicate settings I've not seen before. I par-dries woolens without shrinking. But it doesn't overdry towels or sheets. (I also have their rotary iron and it has a setting for that). The clinker is the cost, no question. I started out wanting the Bosch as I had liked that pair a lot. But the Bosch washer lacked the high heat which is essential for stain removal and whitening. Here is a link that might be useful: Miele Fans Washer Cheat Sheet