Thanks for responding Larsi. I myself have several Miele products and have always loved the quality. They are built like no other! It just seems sad to have to start over so soon. One of the reasons I went with Miele was to try to avoid so many service calls ( I've had several different brands over the years), but that wasn't the case this time.

There can be bad apples in all brands..sorry this happened to you. Im assuming your talking about a Speed Queen FL ? You realize there's no onboard heater? I've heard they are fantastic machines. Let us know what you choose. Good Luck.

That really is premature for a Miele by any standard. With that kind of repair history I would seriously press Miele, other than you replacing the machine with no monetary assistance. The cheaper then cheap front loader will run 10 years!

I have a Miele W4840 washer which has, fortunately, worked well for 7+ years. Only problems that come to mind are a couple of minor leaks from the door boot. I don't have a Miele dryer.

I make heavy use of the W4840's internal heater, and its Extended option for long wash tumble. Given that, I wouldn't consider the Speed Queen FL (you do mean the FL, right?) to be a comparable replacement. It has no internal heater, and its wash tumble doesn't go to nearly 1 hour as with Miele's Extended option. So it's clear to me that its washing performance is bound to suffer in comparison.

Thanks everyone for responding. I really am so confused as to what to get. I went yesterday to look at the Speed Queens. Actually the salesman said more people are going back to top loaders. I will miss the internal heater and reverse tumble. I just want something that will last and not require so many service calls.

I have a Speed Queen AWN432 bought this past August. you will get true hot tap not dubbed down, but it depends on your water tank as to how hot the water will be. Queens do have a reputation for longivity but you have to look at the whole picture, do you want to spend the rest of your life using a machine that doesn't have the cycles you are used to. Don't get me wrong I love my Queen but I'm a true TL fan. You have been using a FL'er and not just any FL'er a Miele. I'll bet when it worked correctly you loved it. I would take Sins advice and press Miele, they don't want bad PR so maybe they can make a good offer.

On the other hand if you just want domething that will last and clean the clothes a Speed Queen will do both.

I won't touch the FL vs TL debate other than I'd never go back to a TL.

I'll go out on a limb here and say LG or Electrolux. IIRC LG is the most dependable brand as per Consumer Reports. They also clean really well according to reviewed.com. Probably as good as or better than your Mieles. With the right ones you get a heater, profile washes and all that goodness. You should be able to get a pair for well under $2000

The Electrolux 60/70 series also look interesting and clean really well. Again all the bells and whistles. Same cost as the LGs.

That should keep you in clean clothes and sanity for while and not break the bank.

phensley002, I just moved from the Lux Wave-Touch 70 to a top of the line LG, so let me know if you have questions about either. (since itguy08 mentioned them both as decent machines)

I am not sure how big your laundry room is, but I would definitely measure the space before buying any new machine. Many of the newer machines are quite large.

Thanks for all the advice everyone. We have decided to contact Miele headquarters. It just seems sad to replace a set that is not even five years old. When they work they are awesome and I have been in love since day 1. I will keep you posted.

I second the recommendation for LG - my current set is almost 3 years old and I've had ZERO issues. I had a set of LGs in my prior house as well that are still in service with my ex. No issues at all either. FWIW, I would never get a FL without an internal heater.

But hopefully Miele comes through for you!

I am also disappointed with your Miele 4822 and T9822 dryer. Our dryer is making a loud noise and this will be the second time we have repaired it in two years. We have owned both machines since around 2010. I also think it dries to hot and that is even after the Miele tech changed the settings. I thought the set would last many years. They definitely seems like they are well made. Our 4822 washer also vibrates too much and this is after the Miele tech tried to make it better.

I hate to replace them, but seriously thinking about it. Looking at the Electrolux 70 Wave Touch series (which we originally were going to buy) or the top of the line LG series (8500).

ceruleanblue: I would be interested in your experiences between those two and also anyone else who has experience. Thanks!

I've had one out of warranty repair on my W4842, the detergent drawer needed to be replaced because some mechanism broke. The dryer was replaced under warranty due to a strange noise that the technician could not figure out. I've had them since 2010.

What I don't understand about companies like Miele is why they do not offer a much longer warranty as standard. These same units received a 10 year warranty in Canada, yet here we only get one year standard. If Miele really wants us to believe their appliances are built to last 20 years, they should put their warranty where their mouth is.

I'm here gathering information prior to a potential Miele purchase. When I see mention of LG, I shudder a bit. We've had nothing but issues with our "top line" washer. These are fundamental issues, not small annoyances. The LG's are built like tin cans from a mechanical standpoint. I've had to replace the drum bearings TWICE now in 5 years, since water makes it past the single seal. This destroys the bearings and makes them unbelievably hard to remove. After about a repair a year (another pump, front panel problems, burnt out LEDs, etc.), the whole thing is just about falling apart and needs to go. Yes, we have 3 kids and they run A LOT. However, I am looking for a functionally solid set that gets clothes clean. I can handle the occasional repair as stuff can get worn out. Yet with the LG, I can simply no longer keep up. They are junk, although they have tons of "features" and look real nice at the appliance store. Highly over-priced garbage for what they really are... It's Miele or Speed Queen from now on for us.

I guess there are bum washers and dryers no matter the brand. Remember Maytag's class auction lawsuit on some of their original Neptunes? My mom has one of those right now. Her set is 16 years old. Not one problem. No mould, everything is great. So even on units that have a lawsuit against them, some folks are okay.

I've heard complaints about Miele and Bosch, LG, Samsung...the complainers are always the loudest so you can find complaints about almost anything. People usually don't post about their positive experiences.

I've recently heard a ton of complaints about Samsung appliances (non laundry appliances is what I am reading about) and how some people have had multiple issues with theirs. We're going on 5 years with our Samsung fridge and love it. The best fridge out of the 3 we've owned. No problems and has the features we needed and continually use (the extra fridge drawer is so awesome for our kids).

I stayed away from the Electrolux fridge and dishwasher as I read so many complaints online. Yet I have a friend who has had theirs for 6 years and have had zero issues and love them.

I'm not even sure what my point is. Other than it seems like all manufacturers produce bum appliances at one point or another.

Miele only offers a one year standard warrenty?? How disappointing.

DBV DBV, I don't own the 8500 series. I have the newer series which is the 5000/9000 (I own the 27" 5000 as I didn't want the extra depth of the 29" model even though the width would fit in my laundry space). The 5000/9000 series has the new TurboWash 2.0 cleaning (as opposed to regular TurboWash, I don't know what the difference is).

According to the manuals, all the cycles on the 8500 appear the same as the 5000/9000 with a couple of exceptions. On the 5000/9000, you can select Extra Hot temp with the Heavy Duty cycle. And the 5000/9000 does not have a hand wash cycle by default. You can download a cycle on the 5000/9000 series. It holds a "small load" cycle by default, but there may be hand wash available for download (their Canadian app is terrible so I have no been able to see what's available for download). I have the pedestal washer below and that is perfect for me for the hand wash items so I no longer need a hand wash cycle on my main unit.

The Lux cycles are shorter than the LG cycles, unless you add TurboWash to the LG which then shortens them up. I know lots of people wanted longer cycles on the Lux, so they would add more options to increase the cycle time (stain pre-treat, etc.). You can save multiple personalized cycles on the Lux (3 per user and I think you can set 3 users). I used to have many set up but after a couple power outages I gave up putting my cycles back in as they get lost after a short power outage. The Lux you can add one extra rinse, the LG you can add up to 3 (heck it might even be 4 on some cycles). The Lux also a warm rinse option, the LGs are always cold.

The Lux has lots of settings which is good and bad. They are buried in a sub menu so takes longer to select options like pre-wash or use the jeans cycle. And then sometimes options are available depending on which water temp you selected and so you're wondering why the option isn't coming up for you, but it isn't available using cold or hot water or something like that. You also can't use pre-wash for a delicate cycle; I never quite understood that.

The Lux jeans cycle was nice. In combo with the jeans dryer cycle, very nice, soft jeans. The shrink guard setting is great on the machine as it does additional tumbling after the cycle is done so your clothing isn't wrinkled and pasted to the drum. You can mimic this with the LG FreshCare option, but the LG doesn't seem to remember it between cycles so I'm pretty sure I need to select it each time.

Hopefully this isn't too off topic for the original poster. Since they are also looking for new machines and LG and Lux were suggested to them, maybe my post is also helpful to them!

phensley002, I am sorry for your troubles. I have the SQ stacked front loaders and like them very much. But if I could have gotten a set of Miele front loaders with a regular dryer (not a condensation dryer) that would have been my preference. I second the person who mentioned size. Most washers and dryers on the market now are massive. My SQ has a very small footprint, and I have to have that. Having never had reversed tumble or an onboard heater, I don't miss them too much, but I would have liked to have had both. Despite its terrible repair record, you have been driving a Mercedes washer and dryer, and I really question if you will be happy with anything less. Maybe Asko? But I think I would press Miele hard on this issue, at a very high level. I would ask for something very specific, like a new WD at cost. That said, I think you will have to take a condensation dryer, as they no longer offer exhaust dryers. Guys, am I right on that?

MizLizzie...unless you can find new, old stock or a used Miele dryer in great condition, YES!, condensing dryers are all they sell for residential customers in the USA.

We bought our W4842 and matching electric dryer in spring 2011. So far (knock on wood!!!) they've held up very well.

Our son and his now ex-wife had LG FL washer & matching dryer. He loved them! They were one of the models highly rated in CR magazine and, whenever he buys a new washer, will most likely buy another LG.

I agree that any brand of anything can and will crank out a lemon, from time to time.

phensley002 - Does your state have a Lemon Law and do your washer & dryer fall under the parameters of it?

Y'all are the best! I appreciate all the comments. Yep, Miele only had a one year warranty when I purchased my set, but did offer an addition year if an authorized installer did the work ( which we did). We are in TX so I'm not sure about the lemon law. I will check into it. What I found interesting.......when the tech was here last week he asked if I had any other Miele appliances ( I do) , and said his very STRONG recommendation was to get the extended warranty on everything you can. Hmmmmm.... kind of makes we wonder. We've never been big believers in extended warranties but maybe we need to rethink this. Like I said we've contacted Miele headquarters so I'll let you know if we hear anything.

Miele charges for this extended warrenty..well..I would think an appliance that's supposed to be the cream of the crop would just give the warrenty. Is Speed Queen the only one that doesn't charge for warrenty?

Like Larsi, I have a lot of Miele as I like the quality. I had no warranty for my DW and oven. Those are 12 and 8. No issues. I got a warranty for the washing machine and lucky I did. For $250 for 5 years they replaced it when there was a problem. Dryer has 0 issues. I also got it for the refrigerator as that can be expensive to fix.

Anyone can get a lemon with any brand. But one reason I like them is the 5-year warrantys direct from them with their factory techs to fix. It's insurance pure and simple. May not be needed. But when it is, it works really well.

Agree with Roc...Miele ext. warranty is insurance, pure & simple. We have it on EVERY one of our 10 Miele appliances. Only used ext. warrant one time.

The big Miele 30" oven needed some computer motherboard and something else relating to temp and holding temp. Over $1200 of work (parts and labor)... the $249 Miele ext. warranty covered every cent!!

I ALWAYS buy ext. warranty. Like health insurance.....SO damn happy to have it, when you need it!