Thread Number: 75906  /  Tag: Modern Dryers
Talk about junk!
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Post# 997483   6/17/2018 at 19:08 (2,129 days old) by robbinsandmyers (Conn)        

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I just came back from my sisters place for fathers day with dad and heard the stories about her new WP dryer. Or should I say dryers. I mentioned her new WP washer sounded like it had diarrhea and she told me the story of how she's on her forth dryer in two months! Seems the first two had the tub rollers fall apart in two weeks. The third just stopped working. And now the fourth has the seal around the door splitting already. I told her how my landlords 35 year old Kenmore extra capacity electric dryer still works perfect along with my A407. This is why everything except the electronics and my bed are pre WWII in my house and it all still works perfect.


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Post# 997632 , Reply# 1   6/18/2018 at 21:22 (2,128 days old) by Spinmon (st. charles mo )        

Very sad to hear a new Whirlpool made so poorly. My SQ's are almost 6 years old and looking like the last set I'll own barring an 'unrepairable' failure.


My previous 1996 KM '90' series never let us down. I bought the SQ's thinking I better get the last of the decent/non-electronic/reasonably priced tl machine. Glad I did.







Post# 997633 , Reply# 2   6/18/2018 at 21:23 (2,128 days old) by Maytag85 (Sean A806)        

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The newer Whirlpool 29" dryers are not as good as the older ones are. Ever since Whirlpool came out with their newer belt drive washers, their build quality has gone down hill not only in their washers, but their dryers as well.

Post# 997637 , Reply# 3   6/18/2018 at 23:31 (2,128 days old) by norgeway (mocksville n c )        
Nothing

Is as good as it once was! Everything is built to fail, I just made a cake with a early 50s Dormeyer and baked it in a 59 Westinghouse, the feel, sound and performance of the old stuff is just leagues ahead.

Post# 997650 , Reply# 4   6/19/2018 at 03:52 (2,128 days old) by henene4 (Heidenheim a.d. Brenz (Germany))        
"junk"

I don't know what you people all expect.

What are these dryers sold for today? 550$? Maybe 600$ tops?

That's anywhere from 50-60$ in 1950.
Back in the day these were sold from 200$ upwards. Let's say you bought a 200$ dryer in 1960, that would be almost 1700$ today.


In the 50s up until the 70s, a new appliance ment spending sometimes the entire salary of a month on it.
Imagine that today!


Post# 997663 , Reply# 5   6/19/2018 at 06:12 (2,128 days old) by vacerator (Macomb, Michigan)        
These are lower end models which sell

for about $370 in electric, $450 in gas. Actually, the less expensive Roper line which also has the lint screen on top, are touted as the best in value, and durability. I've not heard of any failing within 90 days, unless maybe in commercial use, which they are not meant for.
In the 70's, my dad serviced a trash compactor for a bar owner, and told him out right, it is not a commercial can crusher.
I think there are two grades of drum rollers. The lower quality for these, and better, longer lasting for the more costly lines of Whirlpool and Maytag dryers.
Whirlpool still makes a very good dryer. I have a 2010 model, with the lint screen inside the door, and have not yet needed to service it. I vacuum the lint plenum every 6 months or so. Three of used it since new, now two.
Oh, and Whirlpool no longer makes a belt driven washer. I have one though, and agree, not that great. The drive system isn't that bad, but the load sensing and electronics are. Maytag Bravos X, top line with lid window.


Post# 997682 , Reply# 6   6/19/2018 at 08:03 (2,128 days old) by DADoES (TX, U.S. of A.)        

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vacerator:  Oh, and Whirlpool no longer makes a belt driven washer.
The VMW design introduced circa 2010 is belt-drive.  The Maytag MVWP575GW commercial-home model that has been discussed as a SQ alternative is belt-drive, look up the parts diagrams to confirm.  There is a VMW variation that uses the SmartDrive motor in a direct-drive fashion, such as Maytag MVWB856GC and Whirlpool WTW7500GW among others, but several belt-drive models are currently on the market.


Post# 997687 , Reply# 7   6/19/2018 at 10:02 (2,128 days old) by johnb300m (Chicago)        

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Henrick's right.
When you're selling these things for barely $500 or less, it's amazing they're not made out of foil and paper.
They're clearly making up pennies of profit on volume.
Retail wants their margin. WP wants their margin. On a $399 machine, sometimes lower, I honestly don't know how they do it.
The motors are so cheap now, they're aluminum windings on the low end machines.
Selling for such low prices, and with commodities/materials costs squeezing WP, and now our super awesome trade war coming, the supply chain is going to have to shave even more cost out of the components.
They'd have to use the absolute cheapest rollers and slides and gaskets they can find from China, Vietnam, Africa, wherever. Just to make a sliver of profit on these.
The result of course, is quite literally, a disposable dryer.

The Maytag washers and dryers I have along with my parents, were all around $800 retail. On sale.
And their build quality and performance are pretty much fine and what's expected at that price point.
Good components, well put together. Wash and dry very well.

I know it's not at all fair for financially unfortunate folks to be saddled with buying a cheap appliance out of necessity. But they sure won't be built to "last" at that price. They'll be priced to barely function, and move off the sales floor for someone who can only afford a $400 dryer.
Of course, the sad reality is, and we all know, that cheap shoddy dryer ends up costing more over time out of repair and replacement.
It's almost like a cruel joke on the consumer.
But business and capitalism are not charities, with no regard for humans.
Sometimes the market corrects that. A lot of times it does not.
C'est la vie.


Post# 997696 , Reply# 8   6/19/2018 at 11:11 (2,128 days old) by speedqueen (Metro-Detroit)        

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In this case, I'll keep my '65 model and newly acquired 1953 model that have no rollers to fail in the first place.


Post# 997699 , Reply# 9   6/19/2018 at 11:16 (2,128 days old) by vacerator (Macomb, Michigan)        
Yes Glenn,

I did say mine was a 2010 model. The VMW Whirlpool design became direct drive in 2016 replacing both the belt drive, and former floating basket design hall sensor direct drives.
I also looked up the schematic and service manuals after a few discussions here seemed that we were all a bit confused on it.
The new design has a magnetic clutch in place of the splutch, and floating basket drive gear repsectively.


Post# 997701 , Reply# 10   6/19/2018 at 11:34 (2,128 days old) by vacerator (Macomb, Michigan)        
Rollers?

Not in the hair? Then shame on you. Use Dippidy Doo.
Not to be confused with Rollermatics.
The Whirlpool modern dryer is very easy to service. Order the new idler pulley, belt, and roller kit, felt gasket if needed. Unplug. Remove the front, top, or let it hang on a makeshift chain attached to the back of the console. Remove the belt, lift the drum out, then rollers and idler pulley. Install new ones, and reassemble.
The GE's are also easy.


Post# 997703 , Reply# 11   6/19/2018 at 11:49 (2,127 days old) by wft2800 (Leatherhead, Surrey)        

400 bucks is still quite a lot for something this simple - it's on rollers, there are no bearings, it's vented, not condensing, there's no heat pump, it should be cheap as chips to make, so for it to fail so soon is unforgivable. 400 bucks is plenty to make a good solid basic vented dryer that'll last. Now, if it was a heat-pump condenser job with a drum bearing, I'd say 'of course it fell to bits, there's no way you can make one solidly for 400 bucks', but it's not!

Post# 997704 , Reply# 12   6/19/2018 at 11:51 (2,127 days old) by DADoES (TX, U.S. of A.)        

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The Maytag MVWP575GW model predates this 2016 design change, being belt-drive?  Interesting.  Maybe that's related to its commercial roots.


Post# 997707 , Reply# 13   6/19/2018 at 12:19 (2,127 days old) by runematic (southcentral pa)        

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Vacerator, you are wrong once again.  Current VMW washers ARE still belt drive.  I have the MVWC565 on my floor right now & it's BELT drive.  The current MVWC465 is belt drive.  The Amana NTW4516 is belt drive. The MVWP575 is BELT drive.   Now on the other hand, the mvwB765/766, mvwB835 etc are NOT belt drive, but are direct drive.  


Post# 997715 , Reply# 14   6/19/2018 at 12:43 (2,127 days old) by speedqueen (Metro-Detroit)        

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The new Maytag is belt-drive, I saw a video showing the underside.


Post# 997716 , Reply# 15   6/19/2018 at 12:44 (2,127 days old) by johnb300m (Chicago)        
$400

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That's were you're mistaken though.
It's not that WP is making them for $400.
They're probably making them for $150 or $200.
WP needs their cut to make some money.
Retail takes a big cut too.

There's a lot of steel and parts in that "super simple" dryer as well as electronics to absorb that $150 BOM cost allowance.
And as I said, with imports now going through the roof, the price of that same cheap - ass dryer will only go up as well. It has to, or WP would be wise to just stop making them.


Post# 997722 , Reply# 16   6/19/2018 at 13:22 (2,127 days old) by good-shepherd (New Jersey)        
"junk" I don't know what you people all expect.

The problem is the average customer, (as with many products), doesn't have much choice to spend a little more to get a higher quality product, unless they want to first research then hunt far and wide to hopefully find something decent. Not always an option when your washer suddenly died and you need something right now.

This is called "Shrinkflation" paying the the same but getting less. I see it in clothing, auto parts, home furnishings and fixtures, almost everything in one way or another.


Post# 997727 , Reply# 17   6/19/2018 at 13:50 (2,127 days old) by henene4 (Heidenheim a.d. Brenz (Germany))        

But you aren't paying the same. That is exactly what I calculated.

And you do have choice. The used market is huge and espevially with dryers a verry viable choice.
And if you are not willing to research first, well, honestly, 100% your fault.


Post# 997736 , Reply# 18   6/19/2018 at 15:06 (2,127 days old) by chetlaham (United States)        
Getting something from nothing

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I disagree once again... GE made BOL appliances that cost less than the average yet lasted 3x as long. If they wanted to they could make a $250 dryer that lasted 35 years.

Post# 997737 , Reply# 19   6/19/2018 at 15:17 (2,127 days old) by henene4 (Heidenheim a.d. Brenz (Germany))        

250$ in when?

I doubt GE made anything in the past 20 years up to 35 years lifetime.


Post# 997751 , Reply# 20   6/19/2018 at 17:35 (2,127 days old) by vacerator (Macomb, Michigan)        
Then all the sales people are lying to me.

They all tell me they are all direct drive now.
Are we talking the B.O.L. washers only? 3.2 cubic ft. capacity, with full agitator?


Post# 997764 , Reply# 21   6/19/2018 at 18:23 (2,127 days old) by DADoES (TX, U.S. of A.)        

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Surely you're aware that properly informed salespeeps are rare.  Simple matter to look up parts diagrams for a given model.


Post# 997799 , Reply# 22   6/19/2018 at 23:57 (2,127 days old) by potatochips ( )        

Henerik, I think what Chetlaham is talking about is BOL GEs from the filterflo era, which I would believe can and do last near four decades, and with the ways of inflation I would suspect they were talking about machines from the late 70s. 

 

I have an Eatons and Sears catalogue from 1976 and I compared the prices of a few MOL machines to the price of the machine above, and the inflated difference isnt that far off. I do believe shrinkflation, as Douglas mentioned, is a real thing that happens in todays society. 

 

Based on these catalogue finds, it turns out a MOL Kenmore machine with similar features is about $50 off from the machine above which really is a marginal difference, so in fact yes, the purchasing power today as opposed to ten years ago, to twenty years ago, and to about thirty years ago is the same however the product quality is not. 


Post# 997801 , Reply# 23   6/20/2018 at 00:05 (2,127 days old) by good-shepherd (New Jersey)        
But you aren't paying the same

I meant the same in 2018 inflation ravaged dollars.

"Shrink-Flation" is an attempt to mask dollar depreciation.

People point fingers at Business and Capitalism when it's primarily a government caused currency issue.


Post# 997805 , Reply# 24   6/20/2018 at 00:52 (2,127 days old) by robbinsandmyers (Conn)        

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I understand about what people are saying about profit and cost and price with inflation compared to back then. But the fact is a $500.00 dryer should have a lifespan of 5 years the way stuff is made today before it needs repair or replacement. Four dryers in 2 months is about as unacceptable as junk gets. Considering the first one she bought was a cheaper model and they upgraded her. Doesnt say a whole lot about WP these days. Has a Made in America sticker in front but I think assembled here may be more accurate because most of it is prob imported.

Post# 997840 , Reply# 25   6/20/2018 at 10:24 (2,127 days old) by johnb300m (Chicago)        

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It's all fine and dandy if you want it to last 5 years. (I certainly want it to too)
But those cheapo dryers only come with a 1 year warranty.
That means WP, GE, FR, Elux, LG etc etc etc. are TELLING YOU they only trust that it'll last, defect free for 1 year.
That's what they build to.
That's what the market landscape is supporting. That's what consumers are buying, no matter how mad they get. They're not doing anything about it.

In other threads, my high end GE dishwasher was starting to deteriorate after 2.5 years. I was mad.
So I went and sought out a KA dishwasher with....yes the same 1yr piddly warranty, but it also has a FIVE year warranty on the racks and electronics, thankfully.
That's super rare! And I paid for it. So KA trusts those components to last 5yrs or they will fix them for me.

Your cheapo dryer is covered for 1 year, so they will fix or replace anything that breaks in that time. ON WP's expense. If they deem that they are paying too much in warranty repairs on certain models, they will revise designs and part sources. Not a second till then.

As an engineer, I would LOVE to use the best parts.
Mgmt won't let me. Sourcing has a budget, and the best I can do, short of walking out the door, is determine if the part can do the job for a reasonable amount of time for the cost they're allotting me.
Sometimes it's not up to my standards. But that's what mgmt chooses. As long as it's not dangerous, I can't really make a stink about them foisting a cheaper component on me unless, again, I leave.
And go where? Somewhere else that does the same thing?


Post# 997856 , Reply# 26   6/20/2018 at 14:08 (2,126 days old) by potatochips ( )        

I would argue a warranty doesnt indicate the manufacturers level of trust. Take a look at car warranties for example. Rather, a guarantee is what indicates trust level. 


Post# 997859 , Reply# 27   6/20/2018 at 15:50 (2,126 days old) by chetlaham (United States)        
Long lasting GEs

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Mid 70s to the early 90s. About every appliance type by GE had its day. They were dirt cheap, put in condos and apartments subjected to enormous abuse, with many still going strong. In fact the only reason some are being replaced is because they are dated. Or all around tired.


Of course after the early 90s, and even as far as the very late 80s, the decline started. Most GE appliances from the late 90s are designed to fail. Today, forget about it. However it shows that you can get something from nothing.


Post# 997863 , Reply# 28   6/20/2018 at 17:15 (2,126 days old) by johnb300m (Chicago)        

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What you're missing is "way back in the good ole days" materials costs were far lower.
Materials costs are a significant portion of the manufacturing cost these days. Labor is up too.
Yet, retail prices are down or the same compared to decades ago.


Post# 997864 , Reply# 29   6/20/2018 at 17:43 (2,126 days old) by chetlaham (United States)        

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Again- not buying it. Whirlpool and Hobart Kitchen-aid dishwashers used far more raw materials yet didn't last as long.


Just maybe its not so much cost, but rather intentionally designing appliances in order to fail.


Post# 997988 , Reply# 30   6/21/2018 at 22:51 (2,125 days old) by rapunzel (Sydney)        
Nothing

"Is as good as it once was! Everything is built to fail"

And then we are told by manufacturers, consumer and government agencies that modern appliances are designed to be better for the environment and easier on resources. That this junk regularly ends up in landfill (not recycling), in less than 6 or so years, is of no interest and never gets mentioned in any of these conversations.

If these products didn't require a lot of resources for their manufacture and were they fully biodegradable, I wouldn't feel so critical of modern ideas about what constitutes good appliances vs what came before.


Post# 997992 , Reply# 31   6/21/2018 at 23:17 (2,125 days old) by norgeway (mocksville n c )        
Re Whirlpool and K

Who said WP and Kitchen Aids didn't last as long, Hobart Kitchen Aids are THE MOST DURABLE DISHWASHERS EVER MADE!! not opinion, FACT! I cant say about Whirlpools, but I know of Kitchen Aids 50 and 60 years old still in daily use, NO COMPARISON, the longest lasting DW ever!

Post# 998000 , Reply# 32   6/22/2018 at 05:51 (2,125 days old) by chetlaham (United States)        

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Most durable, but not the most long lasting. Sure there are Hobarts still running today as are 80s Potscrubbers, but that doesn't take into account the over all picture.

Post# 998001 , Reply# 33   6/22/2018 at 06:02 (2,125 days old) by Rolls_rapide (.)        

"And then we are told by manufacturers, consumer and government agencies that modern appliances are designed to be better for the environment and easier on resources. That this junk regularly ends up in landfill (not recycling), in less than 6 or so years, is of no interest and never gets mentioned in any of these conversations."

Absolutely true.

If Governments were truly environmentally conscious, they would stipulate that machines must be fully dismantleable right down to the bare nuts and bolts.

Instead we have sealed everything up, individual parts are not available.

I'm sure somebody told me fairly recently (probably a mechanic), that there isn't even an oil dipstick on some of the modern cars!


Post# 998003 , Reply# 34   6/22/2018 at 06:28 (2,125 days old) by wft2800 (Leatherhead, Surrey)        

Yeah, the idea with modern cars is that a sensor replaces the dipstick and is supposedly more accurate... not sure I buy it. There are better reasons to avoid modern cars, though, like cheapened suspension components and electrically-assisted power steering...

Post# 998015 , Reply# 35   6/22/2018 at 09:08 (2,125 days old) by vacerator (Macomb, Michigan)        
reasons for modern cars

modern features are part of cafe standard qualification. Not all the gps and user interface garb, but electric steering, stop/start at light feature, etc.
While a bit of a nuisance, and hardly affect any single vehicle, the incremental corporate fuel savings helps them meet the standard set by govt. mandates.
The electric steering motor and gear weight less than a pump, plus a hydraulic rack. I've noticed a reversion to the feel of the 70's single finger steering ease.
Yes on the freeway it's way too light if it doesn't have the up level package with adaptive control.
As for oil changes, the new aluminum alloy high feature tech. engines use at least a synthetic blend. It costs more, and seeing as we lease, I'm only doing it when the cars computer tells me to. Likely once per year. These synthetics last longer, stay cleaner, and keep the engine cooler, even though they may run a bit hotter. The heat is in the oil, not wearing out the cylinder linings, which may be actually an applied ceramic/metallic coating, not actual sleeves.


Post# 998020 , Reply# 36   6/22/2018 at 10:19 (2,125 days old) by norgeway (mocksville n c )        
No such thing

As steering that is too light, Chrysler Co Axial Full Time Power steering was the very best , NO feel of the road, which suited me just fine because I have never understood WHY anyone wanted to feel the road, With the Chrysler system one finger will control the car, the wheel never fights or jerks if you have a blowout , or hit a pothole, you never lose control, and you can drive all day with no fatigue..I LOVE it, nothing has ever driven like a old Chrysler product.

Post# 998022 , Reply# 37   6/22/2018 at 10:25 (2,125 days old) by speedqueen (Metro-Detroit)        

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I agree Hans, I hate the under-powered power steering systems employed today, while not a Chrysler, the powered steering in my '75 Cadillac is no slouch. No pot hole--I mean road feel either!


Post# 998084 , Reply# 38   6/22/2018 at 22:34 (2,124 days old) by wft2800 (Leatherhead, Surrey)        

Whereas my sensibilities are very European: I want real heft and feel to the helm, because otherwise it's impossible to place the car accurately on the road. My old E39 BMWs are great in this respect - not Porsche 911 constant-patter-of-info feelsome, but pretty close. They're light enough (not finger-twirly!) at low speeds, so parking and city driving is fine (though my 540i Touring did 17mpg at 17mph average with my Miele in the back!), but it's rock-steady at speed, and blatting down a representative British B-road, there's a real sense of connection with those front tyres - which does not compromise the ride quality, as the Germans back then could actually make a car both ride and handle...

Post# 998090 , Reply# 39   6/22/2018 at 23:49 (2,124 days old) by robbinsandmyers (Conn)        

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To me theres nothing worse than the numb rubbery over powering feel of huge old domestic car steering. Even my 65 Chevy II that only had an assist sucked. I'll take my German or japanese steering any day that gives proper feel and control.

Post# 998107 , Reply# 40   6/23/2018 at 04:41 (2,124 days old) by Rolls_rapide (.)        
"a sensor replaces the dipstick..."

That is utter madness. Sensors and the associated control circuitry do go faulty.

What happens when the sensor 'sticks' at the nominal level, and a slow leak causes oil to trickle away, say, over the winter months, when lighting levels are dull and the weather washes evidence away? An oil leak could go unnoticed for ages, and all that time the car is saying everything is tickety-boo.


Post# 998109 , Reply# 41   6/23/2018 at 05:30 (2,124 days old) by vacerator (Macomb, Michigan)        
Well, if the oil level gets too low, over heat or lock up.

Whose engine no longer also has a dipstick? Most vehicle operating manuals also still tell the driver to check the engine oil at each fuel stop. However, most don't even bother to look at those anymore.
Our sales person when he delivered our car to us said call or stop by anytime if we had a question or problem. My hubby told him I'd likely read the book as well.
You do seem like the type he replied.
I didn't notice the "puddle lamps" on the bottom of the side mirrors until I saw it in the book. I hadn't driven it in at night yet. Somme may think these are also idiot lights.
Nice details as well are the reclining rear seats, and the squiggly rear window defrosting grid where the wiper blade rests. I guess to melt ice faster so the wiper doesn't stay frozen to the glass.


Post# 998110 , Reply# 42   6/23/2018 at 05:34 (2,124 days old) by wft2800 (Leatherhead, Surrey)        

I'm not sure I necessarily need a dipstick to prevent low oil level wrecking my engine. I can tell so much about how an engine is running just by listening...

Post# 998136 , Reply# 43   6/23/2018 at 10:01 (2,124 days old) by fan-of-fans (Florida)        

It's too bad they're poorly made. I had heard good things about these top filter dryers. The design goes back to the 1950s and from what I hear they're one of the better designs as far as not getting line accumulation.

Post# 998180 , Reply# 44   6/23/2018 at 20:03 (2,123 days old) by vacerator (Macomb, Michigan)        
An ounce of

maintainence is worth a pound of cure? By the time you hear ticking and rattling in an engine, there is damage.

Post# 998218 , Reply# 45   6/24/2018 at 07:32 (2,123 days old) by wft2800 (Leatherhead, Surrey)        

Vacerator, true to a certain extent, but you can tell a great deal about stuff like worn timing-chain guides and tensioners just by listening to the engine. It doesn't mean that catastrophic failure is imminent, but if you do hear any chain rattle, it's probably prudent to get those replaced. FWIW my M62TUB44 V8 is on its original everything (other than alternator and water pump IIRC!) at 225,000 miles, and not a hint of chain rattle yet. I keep it fairly well topped-up with oil (there is a dipstick, but I generally know how much it'll have used over the last however long anyway) and, touch wood, the old girl keeps ticking along. My three E39s have a combined age of 55 years now, and I hope to keep them a long while yet.

Anyway, back to dryers. Why is it that people still expect to pay the same prices their parents paid 20-odd years ago without a decline in quality? What does it take to get people to cough up more cash for a durable piece of engineering? Miele manages it here...


Post# 998241 , Reply# 46   6/24/2018 at 09:35 (2,123 days old) by vacerator (Macomb, Michigan)        
True Richard, and some folks just want low cost over quality

I know that is also the case with the Jaguar later JA V8 engine. If you hear the timing chain clatter early on, and have it repaired, you avoid piston and valve mashing and failure.
As for big money for a better dryer, etc., some just don't have it. Others just want new, for a lower price than the better. Otherwise, Miele would sell many more.
If they'd do the math, they'd figure that spending a hundred pounds more for the Miele to last five years longer or more is well worth it.


Post# 998243 , Reply# 47   6/24/2018 at 09:50 (2,123 days old) by Pierreandreply4 (St-Bruno de montarville (province of quebec) canada)        
here what i think

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here is what I think when it comes to buying a new washer dryer sometime we need to be budget wise washers and dryers of today are not like they where during the 60 or 1970 time change if the appliance is well cared for and not use regularly they might last but say you have a family with kids where you need to do laundry regularly because of clothes is heavy soiled then that can shorten the lifespan of the appliance itself on both the washer and dryer no matter what the brand is

Post# 998326 , Reply# 48   6/25/2018 at 04:07 (2,122 days old) by wft2800 (Leatherhead, Surrey)        

The first-gen 4.0 AJ-V8 did have those chain issues you mention, as well as Nikasil bore-wear. Now, the high-sulphur fuel that caused that problem is long gone, but the Gen1.5 AJ-V8, as well as the Gen2 and Gen3 versions (4.2 and 5.0 respectively), have all had cast iron liners as well as better tensioners & guides... BMW and Porsche (who also had Nikasil issues) moved to Alusil liners which, touch wood, are fine...

I wonder how many of the old battleship Whirlpool/Kenmore dryers are still purring away after 40-odd years? Or the Maytag 808 etc "Stream of Heat" machines? Simple designs, but robust and reliable, if not as nice as a Filtrator... I'm guessing they cost a fair few bucks when new, but when you amortise that across decades of reliable service and account for the consequent peace of mind...

Alas, it does seem that the accountants have taken over. We all saw what happened when they took over Mercedes-Benz in the 90s... the legendarily robust W124 E-class was replaced by the infamously fragile and rust-prone W210, which was designed and built entirely by engineers to prove exactly what they were capable of (along with the fabulous W140 S-class and R129 SL). They STILL haven't lived down the resultant scandal and whiff of unreliability in terms of public perception!


Post# 998331 , Reply# 49   6/25/2018 at 06:24 (2,122 days old) by vacerator (Macomb, Michigan)        
Of course Richard,

Those old battleship dryers would be more still in use if not for their small capacity. An old dryer used to last twice as long as washers.
American families during the baby boom were larger. So there was little desire for older smaller dryers. Many were just trashed when they wore out.
Planned obsolecense to a point. Once those magazine adds showing mom folding bath towels on the large drop down dryer door, that was that.


Post# 998337 , Reply# 50   6/25/2018 at 07:02 (2,122 days old) by Pierreandreply4 (St-Bruno de montarville (province of quebec) canada)        
these dryers same for washers where the good old days

pierreandreply4's profile picture
these older dryers as well as there matching washers where the good old days when appliance lasted longer unlike today appliances that do not last long its as if appliances company makes them last less longer to force consumer to spend and buy new appliance like they think the quality of the appliance is not important if you had to change your washer dryer set what would you chose vintage or modern?

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Post# 998348 , Reply# 51   6/25/2018 at 08:47 (2,122 days old) by wft2800 (Leatherhead, Surrey)        

Small capacity from those whacking great old Kenmores, really?!

Post# 998350 , Reply# 52   6/25/2018 at 08:58 (2,122 days old) by vacerator (Macomb, Michigan)        
I meant

primarily prior to 1965. Also when our full size cars, etc began growing.
119 inch wheelbases, at least, and a width of about 77 inches to seat 3 abreast, if not four. Heft weighed in at about 4,200 lbs average, and most cars had no heavy air con. yet.
Those York compressors were especially large and heavy. by 1971, GM B bodies wheelbase was 121 inches. C bodies longer, through 1977. Even 116 inches today is long, for sedans. Chevy Traverse is 120 inches.


Post# 998380 , Reply# 53   6/25/2018 at 15:46 (2,121 days old) by speedqueen (Metro-Detroit)        

speedqueen's profile picture

The old '65 and back design wasn't really any smaller than what same after. Next to our Speed Queen AWN432 is a 1965 model, the stream of heat dryers are of good capacity, the older Halo-of-Heat dryers are the small ones, although some think the automatic dry cycle was more accurate


Post# 999240 , Reply# 54   7/3/2018 at 21:41 (2,113 days old) by Spinmon (st. charles mo )        

ad bump.

Post# 999332 , Reply# 55   7/5/2018 at 02:16 (2,112 days old) by robbinsandmyers (Conn)        

robbinsandmyers's profile picture
Just saw sis on the 4th and they gave her a Maytag for the same money. Lets see how many Maytags fail in two months lol

Post# 999350 , Reply# 56   7/5/2018 at 06:17 (2,112 days old) by vacerator (Macomb, Michigan)        
Junk

rolls down hill too.
I know most of us agree.

Tutti grande nella piccolezi. Means small, yet large.


Post# 1000072 , Reply# 57   7/12/2018 at 02:28 (2,105 days old) by man114 (Buffalo)        

Interesting. I have a Kenmore that is quite similar from about 3-4 years ago and we do a metric ton on laundry and it’s held up like a champ.

Post# 1000084 , Reply# 58   7/12/2018 at 07:39 (2,105 days old) by vacerator (Macomb, Michigan)        
Not pointing fingers,

but people are more apt to write bad reviews online than good ones.
I also think some share holders or corporate people post negative reviews about the competition.
That's today's world as we all well should know by now.
A couple of examples; Oneida fine flatware "Rusted after two washings". Maybe if it was exposed to ocean salt spray directly.

I read feedback reviews for Ethan Allen furniture, and most were very negative.
That has not been our experience at all. Yes, the special orders take longer, but they deliver promptly. Customer service has been excellent.
Our leather ottoman was delivered with a tiny tear on the side, and they are replacing it with a new one. The man who came out to inspect it said he could repair it, but you'd be able to tell. I'm sure it did not leave the factory that way. The people who make their furniture all sign the pieces. Even in Mexico.
86 years they've been making fine maple wooden furniture in Orleans Vermont.
I could post a photo of our beautiful Ridgedale sharkfin grey cabinet, but I'd rather not gloat. Inside the left bottom drawer says "Made in America".



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