Forgot to add the only feature that I would prefer on the dryer is one with intermittent reversing action. Wasn't available back when I purchased my machines, but I would go to some effort to get one with it now. (At least I think so!) Also, isn't ASKO one of the few brands left with 220V washing machines? That is really important, IMO. And since you'll need 220V for the electric condenser dryer it won't add to your installation cost (washer and dryer can be interconnected needing only one wall outlet) and it will provide far superior cleaning. ASKO machines also need only cold water supply as they heat their own water. If it was a necessary choice, 220V washers would trump reverse tumble drying, at least for me. How's that for inconsistency? HTH, L.

It seems that all of Europe is moving away from vented dryers because they use more energy than modern heat-pump dryers. I was just trying to give a reason why Miele might have done away with offering condenser dryers in the US. I maybe should have said "It seems that all of Europe is moving away from vented dryers and traditional condenser dryers because they use more energy than modern heat-pump dryers." What you have heard about longer drying times, more heat output, higher energy usage etc. is true for all condenser dryers. Yes, "traditional" condenser dryers do use more energy... in comparison to the alternative the OP had in mind, which was a vented dryer. Seen as a whole, vented dryers get the worst energy efficiency rating according to the European Energy Label, though. Vented Dryer - C Rating Condenser Dryer - B rating Heat-Pump Dryer - up to A+++ Rating I will say that the system is a little biased because condenser dryers do blow a lot of hot, dry air into the room, which helps them to be seen as more energy efficient, while vented dryers suck heated air out of the house, which, in turn, increases heating costs for the home owner. Alex

Okay really stupid question here... I just bought some very nice Matouk Milagro bath towels and the care instructions say to wash on "Gentle cycle". Would anyone hazard a guess what the equivalent cycle would be on our Miele W48XX machines? Delicates has a very infrequent tumble, as does Woolens and Handwash. I use Wrinkle-Free for most of my everyday loads. I want to make sure I follow the care label on these expensive items. Any ideas?

It this the W48xx series? If yes, I had serious issues on 2nd floor. I tried adding two screwed together 3/4 high quality grade plywood for the washer and dryer. It helped a little, but still got enough vibrations to add some nice sound effects to SG-1 and made we wonder who slipped the quarter in the sofa slot. Before I did that, I think it would have done some long term damage to washer - not to say of house and nerves. Also, what I did was dynamic turning. Get a large hard to balance load and adjust the feet for best trade-off while spinning. It helped a little also. At the end, I could live with it - but definitely was an issue. On other hand, my older Bosch never shook the house, but was smaller. The same size HE5T at 1300 RPM never yet has shook anything. The Miele's manual said to install on solid floor. I think their spin balancing just goes into brute force spin too easily for 2nd floor. I noticed both the Bosch and HE5t try multiple times to balance, if needed. This gives you a synergistic affect with trying to balance it is also removing some water, which helps easy the balance load. The Miele with plywood, cutting, screwing, removing machines again, dynamic balancing was many hours. New washer took about 10 minutes. I doubt the HE5t suspension is that much better. Just physics and spinning weight. Just think how small the balance weights on you tires and how much just a little extra water or off-balance affect the spin vibration. I don't have proof, but I think the best thing is to make the floor as rigid as possible. Adding a soft mat is not a good long term solution. It seems the accelerometer in the machines assume a hard, non-moving floor to pick up out of vibration. If the machines moves too much (or too softly), it just seems to add to the problem. It does not know it is vibrating so much. You could even get a runaway condition- worst case. I seemed to notice this both on the Bosch and Miele. And the reason the dynamic tuning seems to really help, if you can get to the feet while running. Just my thoughts.