Going to see a second hand Miele!

One, download the manual and read it first. It is only 1.6mb or so as pdf.
I've got one in English, in case you can't find it. Just email me.
Two, even Mieles have their weak points. I'd check the following carefully:
Is the rubber boot in perfect condition? If moldy or dirty or excessive residue, that will tell you the machine was not cared for and may have other problems.
If the rubber boot has a hole or tear but is otherwise perfectly clean (and not just recently cleaned) then you know you are in for a very time consuming repair...tho' not an impossible one. Does the door close smoothly (it will need more force than a Frigemore)..and open forcefully when you push the yellow button? Leaks?
Check whether the heating elements are scaled up or are reasonably clean.
Check the filter. Careful, there could be a few liters of water in there. If it has one or two bits, no problem. If it is full of nasty strings and other things...
While down there, does the door pull still work? If someone forced it then they may well have done other nasties to the machine.
Run a quick rinse and spin. How does the spin sound? Can you get to the 1600 (at least here in Germany) without sounding like Laundress proverbial 'leaving on a jet plane' lament for the older Mieles? If there are any bearing problems or electronic problems here, I would definitely skip this machine.
Does the water pump out freely and the pump sound normal?
Look at the screens protecting the water valves. Are they filthy or clean. A sign of service, again. Oh and those hoses...what year did Miele stamp into them?
Of course, to be fair, it has to be in balance before you test the spin program.
What does the dispenser drawer look like? That fabric softener siphon is a Miele weakness, so don't be overly critical there, but is there detergent residue (or even mold) everywhere? This model could be programed to first dump the water softener in and then the detergent, (again, at least in Germany). If the owners will let you make that adjustment (see back of manual) and the machine will accept it, then the logic is probably ok. If it won't...well, I wouldn't buy it except as parts.
I think that covers it, really. Anybody else remember any specific weakness?
Oh, and if you do buy it...be sure to follow the instructions for shipping exactly. If you don't you may easily damage some expensive components.
Ideal would be a wash to make sure it heats and the program runs correctly.

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Post# 242341 10/14/2007 at 10:24 (6,032 days old) by bellalaundry (St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada)
Checkrate/Likes Tommorow I'm going to see a second hand W1918. The seller says it is 5 years old and working. Is there anything I should specifically be looking for? What is a good used price for one of these? The seller is asking $600.00. Guy

Post# 242365 , Reply# 1 10/14/2007 at 15:17 (6,032 days old) by peterh770 (Marietta, GA)
Checkrate/Likes Make sure it has the converter box, or you may have to do some electrical work at home to connect it up. Otherwise, you can purchase one from Miele. Either way, DEFINITELY go for it! 1918s rock!

Post# 242372 , Reply# 2 10/14/2007 at 16:25 (6,032 days old) by panthera (Rocky Mountains)
Checkrate/Likes *Well, a few things* One, download the manual and read it first. It is only 1.6mb or so as pdf. I've got one in English, in case you can't find it. Just email me. Two, even Mieles have their weak points. I'd check the following carefully: Is the rubber boot in perfect condition? If moldy or dirty or excessive residue, that will tell you the machine was not cared for and may have other problems. If the rubber boot has a hole or tear but is otherwise perfectly clean (and not just recently cleaned) then you know you are in for a very time consuming repair...tho' not an impossible one. Does the door close smoothly (it will need more force than a Frigemore)..and open forcefully when you push the yellow button? Leaks? Check whether the heating elements are scaled up or are reasonably clean. Check the filter. Careful, there could be a few liters of water in there. If it has one or two bits, no problem. If it is full of nasty strings and other things... While down there, does the door pull still work? If someone forced it then they may well have done other nasties to the machine. Run a quick rinse and spin. How does the spin sound? Can you get to the 1600 (at least here in Germany) without sounding like Laundress proverbial 'leaving on a jet plane' lament for the older Mieles? If there are any bearing problems or electronic problems here, I would definitely skip this machine. Does the water pump out freely and the pump sound normal? Look at the screens protecting the water valves. Are they filthy or clean. A sign of service, again. Oh and those hoses...what year did Miele stamp into them? Of course, to be fair, it has to be in balance before you test the spin program. What does the dispenser drawer look like? That fabric softener siphon is a Miele weakness, so don't be overly critical there, but is there detergent residue (or even mold) everywhere? This model could be programed to first dump the water softener in and then the detergent, (again, at least in Germany). If the owners will let you make that adjustment (see back of manual) and the machine will accept it, then the logic is probably ok. If it won't...well, I wouldn't buy it except as parts. I think that covers it, really. Anybody else remember any specific weakness? Oh, and if you do buy it...be sure to follow the instructions for shipping exactly. If you don't you may easily damage some expensive components. Ideal would be a wash to make sure it heats and the program runs correctly. CLICK HERE TO GO TO panthera's LINK

Post# 242395 , Reply# 3 10/14/2007 at 20:21 (6,032 days old) by bellalaundry (St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada)
Checkrate/Likes *Thanks Keven...* Very helpful indeed! I will check it out tommorow night and see how it checks out.

Post# 242398 , Reply# 4 10/14/2007 at 20:28 (6,032 days old) by sudsmaster (SF Bay Area, California)
Checkrate/Likes Hmmm. I recently got a near mint 1918 for $200. But I think that was a steal, and it was a bit of a gamble, since it was not hooked up by the seller and I had no idea if it would work. But the machine was spotless inside, and so far the only issues, if you would call them that, is that its max temp is 170F (not 190F), and the pump is a bit noisy when it doesn't have water to chew on. Judging from the lousy condition of another Miele I got the next day (karma), I'd pull the detergent drawer and look underneath. Is there mold? Look at the back of it. Is the water softener tunnel clean, or clogged? Get a thin pan (like a baking pan) and drain all the water from the coin trap, and then open it up. Is it clean, or filthy? Or somewhere in between? Is the window glass mint or scratched? Is the stainless drum mint or scratched? If the seller will let you, try running a rapid wash program, so you can hear the washer tumble, make sure it heats some, and spins ok. Any issues and I'd start bargaining for a lower price, or just walk away. Oh, yeah, shipping bolts/braces would be a very good idea. However I transported my 1918 without them and it doesn't seem to be worse for the experience. But I was very careful not to jar it excessively. Good luck. Offer them $300.

Post# 242437 , Reply# 5 10/15/2007 at 01:48 (6,031 days old) by foraloysius (Leeuwarden, Friesland, the Netherlands)
Checkrate/Likes If the shipping bolts aren't available you can prevent the drum from moving around too much by stuffing the drum really full with blankets. That's how movers do it overhere.

Post# 242474 , Reply# 6 10/15/2007 at 08:38 (6,031 days old) by sudsmaster (SF Bay Area, California)
Checkrate/Likes Peter, According to the Canadian 1918 manual, the washer comes equipped with a plug (NEMA 14-30P) which it says is the standard Canadian electric dryer format. If so, one would only need a splitter if one wants to run a Miele electric dryer along with the Miele washer. If one is running a North American 110 volt gas dryer, then the splitter isn't needed.

Post# 242485 , Reply# 7 10/15/2007 at 10:21 (6,031 days old) by the7 ()
Checkrate/Likes foraloysius said: "If the shipping bolts aren't available you can prevent the drum from moving around too much by stuffing the drum really full with blankets. That's how movers do it overhere." Seems that it will make it worse!?