Zanussi WJD1257

...me!). I figured that Zanussi was a reliable make (same make as my tumble dryer which had never let me down) but just in case, I spent an extra £200+ on an extended warranty. Thank goodness I did!

I have had the machine for two years now and it has been nothing but trouble. To start with, the digital clock on the machine never seemed to correspond with the actual time it took to run through the programme - it would suddenly jump 30 ...
...now takes twice as long to do the washing as before as the machine is used for two different functions. The drying time is much longer than a conventional dryer and I seem to have to put the dryer on several times before things are actually dry - particularly towels.

The machine has now broken down several times. My kitchen floor has been flooded twice due to the pump breaking (it has been replaced both times) and a complete electronics ... more

I used to live in a tiny cottage with a small kitchen that didnt have enough room to house a washing machine and tumble dryer. The tumble dryer was housed in a bedroom upstairs. So when my old washing machine finally gave up the ghost I decided to sell my tumble dryer and get a washer dryer to fit in the kitchen.

I had already been warned that washer dryers were notorious for breaking down but decided to go ahead anyway (stupid me!). I figured that Zanussi was a reliable make (same make as my tumble dryer which had never let me down) but just in case, I spent an extra £200+ on an extended warranty. Thank goodness I did!

I have had the machine for two years now and it has been nothing but trouble. To start with, the digital clock on the machine never seemed to correspond with the actual time it took to run through the programme - it would suddenly jump 30 minutes or so for no apparant reason. Obviously, it now takes twice as long to do the washing as before as the machine is used for two different functions. The drying time is much longer than a conventional dryer and I seem to have to put the dryer on several times before things are actually dry - particularly towels.

The machine has now broken down several times. My kitchen floor has been flooded twice due to the pump breaking (it has been replaced both times) and a complete electronics panel has also been replaced. Despite purchasing a very expensive extended warranty, it took over four weeks to fix the machine the last time it broke down. I have a 9 month old baby so you can imagine the amount of trips to the laundrette that I had to make over that time! The machine is now making a horrendous "grating" noise and water is collecting in the soap dispenser tray so no doubt I shall have to call the engineer again.

On the plus side, the machine looks good. But that is not much consolation if it doesnt work properly! The machine only uses the water that it needs, which is good if you are on a water meter. However, there is no half load feature. You can choose from the auto-dry feature or choose your own time for drying. There is also a quick wash feature, spin speed selection, wool and handwash cycles. The filter needs to be cleaned after every wash and the last time the engineer came to replace the pump he suggested that after I have used the machine I then put it on an empty wash cycle to ensure that all the fluff etc is washed into the filter. I honestly thought he was kidding at first but he was serious - if I followed that advice my washing would take me all week not to mention the extra water I would use (we are metered).

To be honest, my problems could just be the "nature of the beast" - other washer dryers may have the same or even worse problems. However, I would NEVER have another washer dryer and if it breaks down again I will be straight down to Currys to buy a normal washing machine and tumble dryer!!!!
 

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