Good points so far:

• It weights a tonne, so it doesn't move around.

• The detergent draw removes all traces of detergent 99% of the time.

• The suspension seems very good, it is quiet and the drum doesn't bounce around like what the Hoover did.

• Its excellent at drying, creases far less then the Hoover did and the sensor is very accurate. Furthermore, the sensor still works if you dry a second load after the first, with the Hoover you had to wait for it to cool down otherwise the sensor wouldn't work.

Bad points:

• The worktop was loose when it was delivered, an engineer form BSH came out and  took of and put the worktop back on, which didn't work, a second engineer replaced one set of clips, hopefully that will fix it!

• The spin on the rinse programme is fixed at 800 rpm.

• The dryer consumes a LOT of water, far more then what the Hoover did.

The main programme I use is the Coloureds Eco, which takes longer then the standard cotton cycle, has 2 instead of 3 rinses and uses less water. The wash action consists of periods of normal tumbles interleaved with periods of faster tumbles (I think they term it Inverse Logic). When "Intensive Wash" is selected, this increases the wash time by about 45 minutes and increases the periods of faster tumbles. The time is adjusted according to the load size, and if it takes longer to balance when spinning.

The spin sequence start with distributing, then it ramps up to a faster speed and will hold it there for a few seconds before speeding up if the load is balanced. There are no spin bursts. It can be quite fussy with balancing, but after about 10 failed attempts at distributing it will just go for it and spin at a reduced speed or abort if it gets too unbalanced.

The finial spin cycle is separated into at least 2 sections, the first part genitally increases to about 800 rpm, holding it for about 3 minutes. It will then slow down to redistribute and stop to tumble and redistribute if necessary, then rapidly increase the spin speed to about 1000 rpm before stepping up to its top speed for the last 2 to 4 minuets of the cycle. If the load is unbalanced, it will stop/start the spin a few more times.

I've used the Rapid 15 program and it is superb, it has a high water level and intense wash action, followed by two rinses and a finial 800 rpm spin. The programme managed to remove dried in mustard and ketchup from a shirt which is quite impressive (well to me anyway!!).

Hi Tom,

I should of added the touch buttons to the bad list.

The ones under the display can have a mid of their own, and not register a touch or cycle through the options as if you have pressed them multiple times! The touch controls were a bad point made by Which was well. Apparently other Siemens machines do this as well. The other ones are ok.

@Tom

I hope you enjoy it when you get it. I think my machine is made in Span, its side panels are the same as the Bosch WAA range made be Balay. Is there any definitive way of finding out?

@dj-gabriele

Apart from the Bosch equivalent models, I don't think any other BSH machines have metal paddles (correct my if I'm wrong) or a stainless steel outer tub - perhaps they have got a lot of spare older parts!

It is a pity about the water consumption, I guess thats why its C rated for energy efficacy. I don't really see them improving it since they have introduced those Air Condensor machines.