Let me clarify; I'm just looking for feedback on these dryers and also would like to know if there is a similar machine by another manufacturer that anyone would suggest instead. I'm asking because Whirlpool Duet wasn't highly rated in Consumer Reports; neither was Bosch. First in CR was a GE and then an LG Tromm (which I thought had read was unreliable on this forum). In JD Powers surveys, Whirlpool was dead last but Bosch was the top-rated brand. Not much information when I try to compare the two sources. I'm just looking for a good dryer (it doesn't have to match perfectly) that will stand on a pedestal side-by-side with my Duet washer and not look too terrible with it. I don't anticipate ever needing to stack them.

I bought the Whirlpool Duet Sport last Aug 2008 and I've already had a major electrical repair on the washer. It was barely even used. The machine is very very noisey and squeaky. It was even worse when I had the dryer stacked on top. Not happy with this machine at all. Unable to wash any rugs that have fringe, even a small rug because it won't drain or spin fast enough to get the water out. The repair person said that's normal. Huh?? What's the point of having a huge expensive machine if I can't wash a single rug in there. Also, I don't think the clothes come out very clean and the repair person said I should add OxyClean. Why should I have to add more cleaning products just to get the clothes clean??? The repair person said the squeaking is from the springs that hold the drum in place and nothing can be done about that noise. It's awful and unacceptable. The dryer has problems also, with the clothes not drying evenly and taking too long to dry. I've cleaned out the vent, so thats not the issue. I usually have to run the heavy duty dry cycle twice to get everything totally dry. The repair person said that's normal. Unacceptable is what I say. After all my dryer complaints, they finally ran a diagnostic and all the lights lit up and there was an error code, which the repair person had never seen before!! After making several phone calls, they were able to fix that problem. It was a moisture issue, which doesn't make sense to me. I would definitley NOT recommend these machines and I might end up sending them back soon. Not good....

I won't go into the silver debate. I will say that I have no need for it. On the service, have you checked to see what your service options are? How many people close to you will be able to service them? I think that is a legitimate concern. And I'd think it's an important one if and when you need service. Now if the other machine has features that you want and need maybe that should be given a priority if you're not very concerned about service. Although I think any machine should be reliable for a nice long time, the reality is you can get a lemon, or a defective one and then service and support and important considerations. Also, are the pedestals important to you? If so it could factor into your decision.

UPDATE Ack - well, I'm still scared about the LG - but let me tell you where things stand. Thank you all for your advice - I was reading everything before I went out yesterday afternoon. Checked out the Whirlpool Duet, Sports, Bosch and LG yesterday. Thought I was decided on the Duet from a local appliance place until I checked out the LG at Best Buy. In part b/c the LG is about 2" less deep than the Duet (and therefore a better fit for our space - the Duet would just fit - if it fits at all) - we decided to go with the LG. Decided to bite the bullet and go with the 2487 - for $300, let's get STEAM! Well, we need a machine right away and the 2487 was on backorder and couldn't be delivered till March 18 - unacceptable! So - long story short(er) Best Buy brought the price of the 2688 washer and dryer down to the price of the 2487 (plus $40)! How could we pass that up? Plus 2 years 0% interest and $250 off to match a sale at Home Depot! The price of the 2688 came out to $1149 which I think (correct me if I'm wrong) is a great price for the 2688. Pedestals were $179.99 each! (we decided not to stack) and I need to see if I can find them for less anywhere. Of course, now I am still freaking out over the amount of $$ this will be and wondering if I should (a) - just go back to a much less expensive - but good top loader or (b) look for a less expensive frontloader (maybe the LG 1812 or WM 0462 recommended by consumer reports) - I never imagined I would even contemplate spending so much on a washer/dryer. I figure I have until tomorrow to cancel the order (washer being delivered Wednesday) and I am still SO CONFUSED! Any additional advice welcome - I really don't *need* all these bells and whistles - going to think long and hard today about whether there is a less $$ FL out there that would still suit our purposes. (as cool as steam is - we just don't *need* it). Thanks for all of the advice so far and I'd appreciate any other thoughts and comments! oh yeah - dross - I agree with you that I'm not counting on 15-20 years which is why I am so freaked out by this purchase. For this price - this thing should be folding my clothing and putting it away for me! Thanks all!