Our Kenmore Elite front loaders died at age 9 - two years after the spin feature was fixed on the washer and the drum was fixed on the dryer (both went at the same time and we hardly used the dryer). The tech told us that we might get 2 more years out of them at age 7 and he was right. He also told us that many of the newer units will die at 5 years. I bet he was right. We had to buy Bosch subcompacts at a horrific Cdn. price due to space requirements. The washer plugs into the dryer. The only thing I really put in the dryer is bedding. So it isn't used all that much. However, I won't use the washer and dryer at the same time. Apparently you can but I asked a woman who works for Bosch and she said she won't do it and that was good enough for me. I wish there was a clean laundromat nearby because it is starting to look good to me. Especially considering the subcompact nature of our machines. We do leave the washer door open as well as the detergent holder. I don't use fabric softener - just liquid HE detergent for sensitive skin that doesn't stink of fake botanical scents that I am allergic to. We were told not to use any of the washer cleaners in the unit - that they could damage the rubber etc. Same with the dishwasher. Who the heck knows?

We are also in a similar situation, installing a laundry room in a 2nd floor closet in a 100+ year old rowhouse. I will put my reasoning below, maybe it will help you out. We have it narrowed down to the Samsung 328 series and the Asko 24" 6222 series. From what I know, the Samsung is very good on second floor applications because of the VRT -- it really works according to most gardenwebbers. The Asko is a bit smaller of a machine, but has a robust internal heater that can get the water up to 205F, which is awesome. The Asko also has a nice suspension system that is supposed to be good for second floors. I'm a little concerned that by the time the Samsung fills with water, the water won't even be hot because the water heater is a good distance away. The Samsung will be a fairly tight fit. Some people make comments that the ASKO is not reliable, but I haven't seen any direct complaints regarding it, and they, like Miele, advertise that their units are built with a 20 year life expectancy. There just isnt much information available on them. I know they make fantastic dishwashers.

We have 11 SQs in our business and love them! They recently discontinued the top two models of SQ with timer controls and replaced them with electronic controls. Some other changes are that they now fully fill without having to adjust the water level. They meet water use standards by offering an Eco cycle that uses a spray rinse. There is also a conventional fill the tub rinse on other cycles. My SQ(timer controls)has a spray rinse followed by a tub rinse for the first rinse. I am not sure if the new ones do that for the regular rinse. There also seems to be a third rinse available for those with allergies. We have severe allergies so I do a wash with single rinse and a second light wash with a little water softener to remove detergent and single rinse. I get one warm rinse that way. There is still a basic model available with timer controls.

Thanks to everyone that responded! I decided to go for the Electrolux pair and was originally going to buy a 60 series, but the 70 series was marked down and the store had a 300 dollar rebate going on this one so at the end of the day the price difference between the two machines was less than 100 dollars. I'm nervous and hope it works out! Larsi_gw, what type of issues did your 70 series have? Does the 70 not have an add more water feature? I was sold on these because of their fresh water rinse feature. I always hated that our LG front loader seemed to make everything feel kind of sudsy and not fresh and clean like my old top loader washer.. even with less soap. I'm hoping the fresh water rinse feature helps with that!