[DenyE]

I urgently need a new washing machine. In the past I have only spent about £350 on one so spending £700-£800 I really dont want to make a mistake, especially as its going to last me 20 yrs (hopefully). These two models seem to have very similar features the only difference being the brushless silent professional motor on the W4144 and the waterproof system (which you explained about on a previous post). The noise of the machine isn't an issue to me as it will be located away from the main living area of the house. My question really is about the motor being brushless. Is this much better? In the past had a costly experience with a hoover washing machine (only lasted about 3-4yrs) with very light wash load, where I was charged £100 to change brushes which didnt solve the problem and I ended up buying a new machine. I like the look of the W4144 better than the traditional W3740 but the machine will have to fit under a work surface (I actually like the look of the W1714 best but that only comes with a 5 yr guarantee). When it comes down to cost I dont seem to be able to find the W3740 on a link through your website and to buy it instore locally its £800 compared to the online price of the W4144 of £723. However, not sure that I can wait for online delivery times. One other option is the W3240 (which I believe is discontinued) and I can buy that for £700 and have it delivered today if I want. Any advise you can give that can help me make the right choice is much appreciated. Thanks for a great site if only it had existed years ago!!

[Washerhelp]

Thanks. Brush-less motors have no carbon brushes to wear out so they can be more reliable but they are also more expensive if the motor needs replacing. However, Miele carbon brushes are very durable and will not need constant replacement. I strongly suspect that some washing machine manufacturers deliberately design their brushes not to last too long so they can make lots of money selling spares. Hotpoint carbon brushes in the past (1970s - late 90s) were one of the worst examples and if the machine was used heavily they could need replacing every 2 or 3 years.

I have a page on Washerhelp where you can compare washing machine prices and there are several affiliate links to places that sell washing machines. I believe Comet currently have a web exclusive offer on the Miele W3740 at the moment. However, one thing that annoys me about companies like Comet is that they are misleading customers with regard to the guarantees. They are still trying to sell their extended warranties on all the Miele washing machines on their web site - even when the washer has a 5 or 10 year guarantee from Miele. When you find the W3740 there's no mention of the 10 year warranty (available by downloading the form at Miele. They indicate that it only has a, "Standard 1 Year Warranty" but you can buy a 3 year warranty for £129.99 (all Miele washing machines have a 2 year guarantee, with most having a free extend to 5 or 10 years warranty). Currys are also guilty of not telling people about the proper guarantees as there is no mention of the 2, 5 and 10 year warranties on their Miele washing machines either. They don't appear to try to sell you extended warranty insurance like Comet (maybe they leave that until the checkout pages?) but they also fail to tell customers that all Bosch washing machines have a 2 year guarantee.

Regular Washerhelp members will know that I much prefer to buy from John Lewis (affiliate link) who Which? have found to be the nations favourite store.
John Lewis clearly show on each of their Miele washing machines, a "FREE 2 year guarantee - Extend to 5 (or 10 depending on model) years via redemption"and they even risk losing sales by being honest about stock levels (It's not uncommon for some models to show not in stock, whereas I've had reports of some other online sellers taking orders and then ringing up days later to advise they have no stock and to ask, "which washing machine do you want instead?").

John Lewis do currently stock the W 3740, but Bizarrely they are selling it at a considerably higher price than places like currys and Comet (please check prices as this situation is always open to change). Instead, they have priced their own exclusive Miele washing machine to compete with the W 3740. I'm not keen on "exclusives" although this is common amongst most of the big retailers including Currys and Comet. The thing I dislike about products that are exclusive to one retailer is that you can't compare prices because - the model is exclusive to them. Washing machines exclusive to John Lewis are usually slightly higher spec and sometimes even have lower energy costs so at least they try to create something different.

The W3240 looks good too. I wouldn't let the fact that it's not the current range put you off.

[Washerhelp]

Washerhelp's Miele W 3740 washing machine review is now uploaded - Miele W 3740 review it contains lots of photos and even video.

[goiko]

Also does anyone have any ideas as to why the W4144 is cheaper, despite appearing to be superior? (Also posted as a separate topic). Could it be that the W3740 is more in demand as the depth is a few cm shorter, so fits better in some kitchens?

[Washerhelp]

goiko, on Jun 23 2007, 09:38 AM, said:

Also does anyone have any ideas as to why the W4144 is cheaper, despite appearing to be superior? (Also posted as a separate topic). Could it be that the W3740 is more in demand as the depth is a few cm shorter, so fits better in some kitchens?

I've posted a reply to that here - Why Is The Miele W 4144 Cheaper Than The W 3740?

[Reb_Al]

Quote

John Lewis don't stock the W3740, the nearest to it they have is the Miele Paragon Plus Washing Machine which is exclusive to John Lewis

I need to purchase a new washing machine and usually buy my electrical goods from John Lewis. I wanted to buy the W3740 but I noticed in your reply that John Lewis only stocks the Miele Paragon Plus is there any difference between the two?

[Washerhelp]

I've edited my previous post where It said that John Lewis don't stock the W 3740 because now they do. John Lewis do currently stock the W 3740, but bizarrely they are selling it at a considerably higher price than places like currys and Comet (please check prices as this situation is always open to change). Instead, they have priced their own exclusive Miele washing machine to compete with the W 3740 Miele Paragon Plus Washing Machine. I'm not keen on "exclusives" although this is common amongst most of the big retailers including Currys and Comet. The thing I dislike about products that are exclusive to one retailer is that you can't compare prices because clearly the model is exclusive to them. They simply confuse the issue for customers and make it much harder for them to make buying decisions.

I understand why retailers like them (although only the biggest, most powerful retailers can cajole manufacturers in to producing them). To be fair to retailers, if they simply reduce the price of a specific model in an attempt to gain an edge over competitors, all the competitors do is match the price. The initiative can so easily be lost. Whereas if they get the manufacturer to produce a specific model for them they can sell it cheaper and no one can match the price. It's clever, but ultimately it just muddies the waters for customers and can even be abused by selling a product - not cheaper - but even slightly more expensive, or less specified, safe in the knowledge that the products cannot be easily compared. Washing machines exclusive to John Lewis are often slightly higher spec and sometimes even have lower energy costs so at least they try to create something different. ( John Lewis washing machines section )

In conclusion I would say that the current situation is as follows. Either buy the W 3740 from Currys or Comet (or elsewhere if the price is right) or buy the Paragon Plus exclusive from John Lewis which is priced similarly to the W 3740 elsewhere. As far as I can tell there is little difference in the main specifications for these two washing machines except I believe that W 3740 is a newer model, and looks better.

I have no idea what John Lewis is trying to achieve. They are apparently selling the W 3740 more expensive than anywhere else I can see yet offering an "exclusive" with very similar features based on an enhanced older model at around the same price that everyone else is selling the W 3740 at. I cannot see any point in anyone buying a W 3740 from John Lewis at all at the moment.

Currently, Comet seem one of the best bets. The W 3740 from Comet is currently just £733 Miele W 3740 which is more than £200 cheaper than John Lewis!

[gary]

If you want the benefit of buying from John Lewis and there is a comet nearby to your local store then why not try their price match promise.

Just go in and tell them that comet down the road are selling the 3740 for £733 and they should check and match the price.

http://www.johnlewis.com/Help/Help.aspx?HelpId=18#payment

The local comet (Or other store) has to have them in stock and be displaying a price on the machine.

Gary

[Washerhelp]

Thanks Gary. John Lewis are indeed famous for their never knowingly undersold policy. If you can get John Lewis to price match I agree that I would personally also prefer to buy from John Lewis. In this particular case you would need to find out how much Comet are selling the Miele for in store. This is because the price match doesn't cover online sales and the Comet price I linked to is a, "Web exclusive product".

However, I can't imagine even Comet knocking over £200 off for a Web exclusive and indeed the webpage claims you can save just £36. This means the chances are that even in store it would only be £36 more and still be considerably cheaper than John Lewis' is £949 so all being well you should be able to get John Lewis to match that price. Before commenting this morning I had contacted John Lewis online about this amazing price difference which is very uncharacteristic of John Lewis but disappointingly they didn't appear concerned.

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[Reb_Al]

Thank you all for your help I ordered from Comet and its being delivered on the 30th July so I should be OK for the 10 year cover. There certainly was a huge price difference between Comet and John Lewis!

[Reb_Al]

I had my W3740 delivered on the 30th July and its working perfectly. A quick question.....In addition to the handbook literature and spanner that came with my W3740, there was a non return valve which threads on to my stopcock cold tap and the water inlet pipe threads onto the other end.
Does this item need to be fitted?

[Washerhelp]

If I remember correctly I've fitted mine because I couldn't see it doing any harm. I can't see that it is necessary though, and even in the instruction book (page 50) it says "the German authorities do not require it to have and non-return valve as the washing machine has been designed to comply with the DIN. regulations"

I presume they include it so that the washing machine can be sold all over the world and if necessary be fitted. I've never seen any other manufacturer include one either.

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