[PonchoV8]

I remember the LG of the old days (Goldstar) sold at Kmart. But we were advised that the LG front load machines are quite good products--advised by Home Depot and HH Gregg. So we bought the WM2016CW for $569 at HH Gregg today. It's a world of difference away from the used washer that I bought as a used unit for $40 at a rent to own store where I worked in 1991. The old washer has had one tub gasket replaced about 7-8 yrs ago and now it's leaking again.

We bought in a rush so I really didn't even do any research on this unit. Clothes were piling up. The direct drive motor with a 7 yr warranty sounded good--two years on the control panel and lifetime on the stainless tub.
Any opinions?

On a side note, the dryers they offer with these seem to be a rip off. They're just dryers and they want 7 and 8 hundred dollars for a freaken dryer. I'll stick with the old style front load dryer I bought for 269 at Circuit City in 99 for now. I don't see any need to change to a matching dryer ever, for that price.

[jeffgoss]

Doug,

I like the LG-so far. The motor set up is great-very quiet.

We had issues with getting the proper schematics and parts lists at first. That problem seems to have been rectified.

I agree about the dryer deal. If you dont care about them matching, the dryer is not a necessity.

Average cost of repairs is higher with the new stuff-at least though Sears. Local repair outfits may be a bit cheaper, but make sure they have a good reputation in your area. The longer warranty on the electronics is helpful.

Good luck! The front loaders are the way to go.

Jeff

[ponjohn]

Anybody have an feedback on the new steam washers?

[1967Clone]

Front loader washers are a gimmick to separate consumers from their money IMO

[Primitive Artist]

In general, the newer the washer, the less likely you could repair it yourself. Once the electronics crap out, you'll have to decide if the replacement unit is worth the value of the machine. New electronic components are bath soldered with a new type of solder which contains much less lead. These new electronic components are practically in a development stage and are prone to early failure. What you really need is a 7 year guarantee on the electronics. That heavily wounded motor, in that Korean-built LG, is less prone to failure. You don't really need a guarantee for that. This is just some deceptive hype used to coax potentia buyers into purchase.
Here, some expensive machines with an impeccable reputation and friendly customer relations. They referr to these as the Mercedes-Benz of washmachines:

http://www.miele.co.uk/Products/Prod...ing%20Machines

[PonchoV8]

How much more money is front load at 569 than a comparable top load? The top load uses about 30% more water per load. Our sewer bill is 1.5 times our water bill. The difference ought to pay for itself by the time the two yr warranty is up on the front panel. The top load has balance issues also--always been a problem with my girl loading it.
It's a super quiet machine for sure. I believe I spent under $200 for the last washer we had ($40 to buy, about $125 to repair once). And it lasted since 1991.

I couldn't repair the old one either.

[Primitive Artist]

What?!! Over here, the sewage gets charged less, because they assume you are drinking some of that fresh water and using some to cook and water your plants.
Those top-loaders are obsolete. There's nothing a side loader can't do that a top-loader can. You can get a side-loader to spin at least up to 1600 rpms, so that you wouldn't need a dryer (saving energy).
If you tried revving a top-loader to that speed, it'll roll on the floor as if to laugh at you

[JoeF]

We've had our Kenmore front loader for about a year. The only beef is that they can develop a musty smell due to mold around the door seal. The way to prevent it is to run dishwasher detergent thru it once a month on HOT cycle with max bleach, wipe the door seal with a paper towel after each load and leave the door open a bit when not in use, so it dries.

Apparently, this problem happens with almost all front load models.

[1967Clone]

Originally Posted by JoeF

We've had our Kenmore front loader for about a year. The only beef is that they can develop a musty smell due to mold around the door seal. The way to prevent it is to run dishwasher detergent thru it once a month on HOT cycle with max bleach, wipe the door seal with a paper towel after each load and leave the door open a bit when not in use, so it dries.

Apparently, this problem happens with almost all front load models.

A friend of mine had the mold issue, now he leaves the door cracked open, problem solved.

[GT182]

My stepdaughter has a front load Kenmore... the tall one.. and hates it. Same for the matching dryer. The washer ties sheets, pant legs and shirt sleeves in a knot everytime. The dryer takes twice as long to dry as a normal dryer does. To wash and dry one load takes her 2 hours to do. LOL

When she bitches about it I just laugh. She had to have the best there was and it works like crap.

[Goathead]

LG is the old bankrupt Goldstar brand from wallmart /k mart just re named, I would have nothing to do with them, personally, but who knows....

[PonchoV8]

We'll see in a month how it is working out. The cycles are a little long IMO. But there's a lot of time that it's sitting waiting to start turning the opposite direction during a wash cycle. This one spins out at about 1050 rpms. A ton faster than the old washer. Drying took about 45 minutes for darks with some jeans. That's a marked decrease too.
I have been told by family that have front loaders to always leave the door open after washing to prevent mold or mildew. They have this issue because they seal so tightly--as not to leak. The LG comes with a built in cleaning deal where you real a tube out to hose down the seal and tub for washing. I instructed my girl that if the cat wants to get in the washer when the door is open, let her have at it.

[Slick 50]

Originally Posted by ponjohn

Anybody have an feedback on the new steam washers?

We bought the LG steam 4.0 cubic foot washer and matching dryer about two years ago. They clean and dry clothes better than any washer/dryer I have ever had. So far no problems.
Yes, we did turn loose of some money!! Bought them off the net and delivered to the door, saved about $400 dollars from the local discount place. I can see either one of them being a real pain to work on.

[Redfed]

Originally Posted by PonchoV8

I have been told by family that have front loaders to always leave the door open after washing to prevent mold or mildew. They have this issue because they seal so tightly--as not to leak. The LG comes with a built in cleaning deal where you real a tube out to hose down the seal and tub for washing.

My Kenmore front loader leaves water in the seal. Looks like there's a drain hole, but it's too high to let the water out. When it gets a little funky on the inside, I usually put in a load of whites and add bleach. That kills it for a while. I hate the washer because of the mildew/drainage issue.

[David Holmberg]

I went thru 3 LG over the range microwaves in 6 months. They (LG) were terrible to deal with, and Home Depot (where I bought it) hated them for the same reasons.

Hopefully the washer is better Doug, but I'll never buy another LG product.

[Stuart]

Front loading washers are nothing new - my folks had a Westinghouse front loading washer w/matching dryer that they bought in 1956. They were still working when we cleared out their estate and sold the house in 1995.

The front door on the washer did have to be left ajar so the water sitting in the seal would evaporate. Also, if the load got imbalanced that thing would just about jump off the floor during the spin cycle.

[GT182]

Man oh man Stuart, that brings back memories. My grandmother had one of those Westinghouse front loaders back then and up into the 60s. We use to ride it across the floor and play cowboy when it was out of balance. LOL

[70KGOLD]

My friends dad is a service man for LG and he said business was good.

[PonchoV8]

Any company that owns 51 percent of the American market is doing something. Knowing what I remember about from Goldstar back in the 80s I told both salespeople that I don't trust the name because it was lower line equipment. They were adamant that it wasn't the cheapo knock off. Besides Zenith and other companies were just rebadging Goldstar back in the day. Must've been good enough to put their name on. I don't remember having any problems with the Goldstar rebadged TVs we had at the rent to own stores I managed.

This washer has weep holes at the lip but they aren't higher than the the water left. Two loads so far. I have no opinion yet. Redfed do you leave the door open after loads? The presence of the smell tells you that it's water tight.

[Region Warrior]

We had to get a new washer a couple months ago.
Went with a Kenmore(made by Maytag) F.L.
Dont remember exact data, but average cost is about $20 a year electricity, and 60% less water.
Family of 4. One load nearly every day, if not 2.
Went from regenerating the water softner from every 3 days to 4 1/2-5.
Cleans better then our old Maytag top loader, and uses less detergent.
Cloths come out dryer, so they spend less time in the dryer.
Only complaint is the longer wash time.