Bosch Nexxt washer/drier rant

[GreyWoolfe]

When SWMBO and I bought this set about 7 years ago, we thought we were buying a quality product, especially for the $1600 USD price tag we paid, not including the extended warranty, which SWMBO wanted.  The dryer is truly a pain in the ass to use.  We have had technicians out checking the unit and they couldn't find any issue.  We can only use the regular dry setting.  If we try to use the 2 hotter settings for towels and heavy stuff, the laundry comes out with a burned smell.  The biggest aggravation is the temperature limiter sensor.  This part seems to fail on a yearly basis and is annoying to change.  The laundry room is very small so I have to get the dryer out of the room into the hallway, which takes an act of God as I am getting old and fat, take out a metric tonne of screws to get the top and back off, remove the vent tube, change the part and reverse the procedure.  At least the part isn't too expensive at about $19 USD, However, I buy them several at a time, so SWMBO can have her dryer working the same day the part fails.  Just used the last one so now I have to order more. 

The washer is better.  However, the hot water setting is useless, the whites, which I learned to wash in hot water, come out cleaner in cold water with the he laundry detergent we use.  Last year, we had family down for the week of Thanksgiving and the pump failed.  I did find an OEM pump for under $80 and got it shipped in within 2 days.  There was so much laundry by that time, no towels left in the house with everyone showering and going to the beach every day, it took a whole day to catch the laundry up.  We were hanging the beach towels on the backyard fence to dry while waiting for the pump.

To me, it is just a shame that you spend good money and you can't seem to get something that just works.  We bought the Bosch set because we thought the brand was reputable.  SWMBO has said that she would never buy another Bosch product and you couldn't give her a free washer and dryer.  She has already said that if either needs a major repair, we will replace both units.

I am not going anywhere with this, just wanted to get this off my chest.  Just curious, but what brands here in the US, if any, have served well to forum members.  Also, is there a preference to top loading vs front loading?

[HighVoltage]

My experience in the US with house appliances was this:
BOSCH = the worst quality you can buy
MIELE = the best quality you can buy
 
We had good experience with Bosch in Germany and thought it would be great in the US as well.
What a terrible experience that was for Washer, Dryer and Dish-Washer

[meeder]

Where are the Bosch appliances sold in the USA made?
Bosch/Siemens (same machines, different label) are my first choice here in Europe.
Dishwasher, washer and dryer are all Bosch/Siemens and are all runing without issues.
The dryer is of the newer heat pump type which has no conventional heat element but it uses a heat pump which is basically a refrigerator circuit built in the dryer. The condensor of the refrigerator is used as a heating element and the evaporator of the refrigerator is used as the condensor of the dryer to get the moisture out of the air. The result is drying at a lower and thus better temperature for the garments and a substantially lower energy consumption. A full drying cycle with a full load is around 1 kWh.

[NiHaoMike]

The washer is better.  However, the hot water setting is useless, the whites, which I learned to wash in hot water, come out cleaner in cold water with the he laundry detergent we use.

The newer detergents uses enzymes that break down too quickly at high temperatures. Not really a fault of the machine. (That's also true of dishwashing detergents.)

The dryer is of the newer heat pump type which has no conventional heat element but it uses a heat pump which is basically a refrigerator circuit built in the dryer. The condensor of the refrigerator is used as a heating element and the evaporator of the refrigerator is used as the condensor of the dryer to get the moisture out of the air. The result is drying at a lower and thus better temperature for the garments and a substantially lower energy consumption. A full drying cycle with a full load is around 1 kWh.

I have a LG combo washer/dryer that is also heat pump, but it's the solid state type rather than the compressor type. It is very efficient compared to a regular dryer, but not as good as the newer compressor type. Only major problem it had is a broken drain pump after about 5 years of service. (Tip: if you need a working washing machine when the pump fails and can't wait for the replacement, connect a wet/dry shop vac to the drain hose and rig it with a relay to turn it on when the machine switches on the pump.)

But in the end, it's hard to beat an old fashioned clothesline or drying rack when it comes to efficiency, at least when the weather cooperates. (I lived in Houston when I bought the LG, where it's usually too humid for a clothesline to be effective.)

[German_EE]

I wonder if Photonicinduction reads this board? I seem to remember that he has some experience in this area.

[rdl]

I have a very plain and basic Maytag washer and dryer set that I bought at Circuit City in 1997. I just went in and got the cheapest thing they had in stock. A couple of years ago the auto shutoff switch inside the lid of the washer broke. I'm too lazy to fix it, so I have to jam a spatula handle down in there to make it run. Other than that, there have been no problems. I actually surprised they're still working.

[HighVoltage]

Where are the Bosch appliances sold in the USA made?

The Bosch appliances for the US market are made in the US.
Horrible quality of parts and internal design.

The MIELE appliances for the US are made in Germany In excellent quality.
The funny part was, that they had about the same price sticker value.

The Bosch appliances sold in Europe are a totally different game.
They have been and still are good quality, as far as I can tell from my own experiences.

 

[bitslice]

Consider LG too, good reputation in the UK from the white trade.
My Bosch failed in a year, but I couldn't source a replacement PCA for it so not impressed.

[Rick Law]

I have a very plain and basic Maytag washer and dryer set that I bought at Circuit City in 1997. I just went in and got the cheapest thing they had in stock. A couple of years ago the auto shutoff switch inside the lid of the washer broke. I'm too lazy to fix it, so I have to jam a spatula handle down in there to make it run. Other than that, there have been no problems. I actually surprised they're still working.

I am not sure I am speaking from personal bias.  I found the stuff up to around the 1990's were more to the side of "built to last."  Later stuff seem to have more bells and whistles and always eager to fail if given an opportunity.

My washer failed around 1997-ish.  I went washer hunting and they were pushing the "eco friendly" kind that will automatically know your clothing is clean by monitoring the water clarity -- optically.  Judging from the info on their specs and on the sales-flyer, there is no way it would work for me.  I have kitty cats at home.  Their pee would be optically clear, so washing will be very quick and very useless.

I avoided them and just fixed my washer instead.  I think that technology needs more growth time before it is ready.  I am due to shop for new washer soon.  I think I will go cheap to avoid all the bells and whistles.

[nanofrog]

Just curious, but what brands here in the US, if any, have served well to forum members.  Also, is there a preference to top loading vs front loading?

In the past, Whirlpool (incl. Kenmore labeled), Hot Point, and Maytag.

Now, I ended up going with a Speed Queen earlier this year. Not a lick of trouble so far, and it does an excellent job of getting stuff clean without having to resort to a lot of additional pre-treatments or the newer types of detergents. 

• Top loader which I prefer due to no door seals that can mold
• Stainless steel tub that fills to the top & has a turn & hold override to add additional water when needed
• Metal gears in the transmission
• Mechanical controls on the unit I bought (here)
• 28min wash cycle
• No lid lock, so you can open it mid-cycle

Basically the standard type of washer you're accustomed to/had for years and years, that's made out of actual metal rather than plastic.  They do offer versions with electronic controls if you prefer, but I went for the mechanical controls as it's proven reliable. 

And if it matters to you, they're made in the US.

[rsjsouza]

We have a combo of washer/drier from LG, and it has been working without a glitch for 10 years. Fully electronic and "intelligent" and does a good job in cleaning.

I also have a Bosch dishwasher for five years that does a good job and did not have a glitch as well.

[amyk]

Now, I ended up going with a Speed Queen earlier this year.

With that name I'd expect it to be pink with flame decals...

[nanofrog]

Now, I ended up going with a Speed Queen earlier this year.

With that name I'd expect it to be pink with flame decals...

White for urban camouflage so it can hide in plain sight. 

[bookaboo]

• No lid lock, so you can open it mid-cycle

Darwin will work some magic there 

[nanofrog]

• No lid lock, so you can open it mid-cycle

Darwin will work some magic there 

The machine stops when you lift the lid, and resumes when you close it. Handy when tossing in an extra piece, like the sock you found dropped in the floor after loading the washer.    

But if someone was really determined to earn a Darwin Award, it would be possible (i.e. open lid, jam the safety switch closed), and voila... running machine they can loose digits from or worse. 

[Halcyon]

In Australia, there are two types of "Bosch" those that are made in Germany and those made in China. If you go to your local hardware store here, you can see and feel the difference, even down to the switches and knobs. You can generally tell by the price too.

I've purchased Siemens appliances and an Electrolux fridge (still made in Australia) and they are absolutely perfect.

[bookaboo]

• No lid lock, so you can open it mid-cycle

Darwin will work some magic there 

The machine stops when you lift the lid, and resumes when you close it. Handy when tossing in an extra piece, like the sock you found dropped in the floor after loading the washer.    

But if someone was really determined to earn a Darwin Award, it would be possible (i.e. open lid, jam the safety switch closed), and voila... running machine they can loose digits from or worse. 

Ahh that's not so bad, I've often found the minutes long door lock after a cycle really annoying.

[GreyWoolfe]

Don't forget the 10 minute time frame when the machine says 5 minutes left.

[con-f-use]

So the only bad thing I have to say about our Bosch machines is, that the user interface is just horrible 
In my parents house, we have a dish washer and a drier made by Siemens a washing machine that is Bosch branded. All bought 10+ years ago, never had an issue.

Form American and Canadian friends of the family I heard horror stories about both brands. So here seems to be a pattern.

The place where I live is all Miele including the vaccuum. They are expensive but superb. Nothing better out there and reliable to the grave.