The quality of Zanussi products has certainly dropped in recent years. In some ways, the quality of the current AEG machines are more like what we know Zanussi to be. I grew up with an S218T and later an FJ1295, both of which were excellent quality. Now, the build quality is no better than the cheaper brands like Beko and Indesit and flexi dose models are horrendously poor - you have to get a Jetsystem machine to get remotely decent quality from Zanussi these days. It's a great shame, as they were once one of the best. 

The lint filter on your Zanussi should be at the bottom right of the machine, behind a little flap.