Bosch Washing machines

[rikhav]

I would appreciate if anyone can give me feedback for Bosch washing machines. How are they feature wise comparing other popular brands in the market and the most important thing is how is the Bosch service network

I am a big fan of Bosch automotive products due to their innovation and quality but have no idea how is Bosch when it comes to home appliances.

Maybe it's some random company just using the Bosch brand name. If that is the case i would avoid it

Also avoidable are the Lg direct drive washing machines. They are nothing but marketing hype created by lg guys

 

[ranjeetrain]

Go for IFB or Siemens.

Direct drive is also prone to damages more easily AFAIK.

 

[rdksrk2013]

I would appreciate if anyone can give me feedback for Bosch washing machines. How are they feature wise comparing other popular brands in the market and the most important thing is how is the Bosch service network

I am a big fan of Bosch automotive products due to their innovation and quality but have no idea how is Bosch when it comes to home appliances.

Maybe it's some random company just using the Bosch brand name. If that is the case i would avoid it

Also avoidable are the Lg direct drive washing machines. They are nothing but marketing hype created by lg guys

Hi, I have a IFB bosch front loading washing machine for the past 7 years. i am also a fan of IFB and purchsed against my wife's wishes for going on top loading.

Again the Top loading vs front laoding is like comaprison between LED & plasma TV's. No end to the diffr but is a personal choices.

I have troubles for the past 4 years but every year I go for anual maintenance contract(approx 2500) with IFB.

One thing I had observed with IFB - once you have a annual contract they come and replace whaetver part is failing without asking any questions about usage.

Yesterday only I had got another main part replaced free of cost and my maintenance contract is to expire next monht.

This kept me thinking and discussed with my wife - why don't we replace this machine again with IFB - just because you have no questions asked service.

I think any machine can develop trouble after years of service but getting service in time is important.

 

[Asit]

Dear Rikhav,

I bought a Bosch washing machine nearly 19 years ago when I came back to India from abroad. That machine was known as IFB Bosch because IFB was basically marketing washing machines made by Bosch. That machine worked nearly trouble-free for 18 years and was still working flawlessly when we moved to our new home about 10 months ago and replaced the old machine with a new one from Bosch. The new one is quieter and has larger spin rpm . It also has a 15 or 30 min short wash cycle in addition to all the other automatic settings.

Let me point out that IFB for the last many years has parted with Bosch and now makes and markets their own machines. IFB service in several cities including Kolkata is pretty poor. Better check locally about their service.

Bosch and Siemens are the same company. Look here: Bosch and Siemens Home Appliances Group or their Indian website for home appliances: Household Appliances | Bosch India . Their machines in India are basically identical. They are known as Bosch Siemens Hausgeraete GMBH or simply BSH.

Based on my experience with Bosch for the last 19 years, one can go with eyes closed with either Bosch or Siemens washing machines. They are slightly pricier, but I believe in the long run, you end up paying less, not just in terms of money, but also in mental peace.

The best known washing machine brand internationally is Miele, but they are very expensive. I believe they are available in a few bigger cities in India.

If you do not have experience with front loading machines, you should be careful in buying the correct detergent meant only to be used for front loading machines. These detergents are easily available in any standard supermarkets these days. Bosch recommends Ariel and we use that only. Washing quality is really very good despite poor water quality. The washed objects come out devoid of any loose water because of the high spin at the end and take usually very little time for drying.

Regards.

 

[rikhav]

Hi, I have a IFB bosch front loading washing machine for the past 7 years. i am also a fan of IFB and purchsed against my wife's wishes for going on top loading.

Again the Top loading vs front laoding is like comaprison between LED & plasma TV's. No end to the diffr but is a personal choices.

I have troubles for the past 4 years but every year I go for anual maintenance contract(approx 2500) with IFB.

One thing I had observed with IFB - once you have a annual contract they come and replace whaetver part is failing without asking any questions about usage.

Yesterday only I had got another main part replaced free of cost and my maintenance contract is to expire next monht.

This kept me thinking and discussed with my wife - why don't we replace this machine again with IFB - just because you have no questions asked service.

I think any machine can develop trouble after years of service but getting service in time is important.

Thanks for your inputs

Are you sure you have the IFB Bosch because as Asti ji pointed out IFB has parted ways with Bosch since many years

I have mixed reactions reading your review. Happy to know that service from IFB is good because everyone around me has complained about IFB service

Sad to know about so many part failures within seven years. We have a national washing machine which has worked well for past 13 years I guess. The problem I am facing right now is circuit board failure. The board failed in few months after getting repaired and new is not available since this machine is discontinued.

What I am trying to point out is that even after being in service for so many years there were no part failures except for the circuit board and we are a big family, so there are many clothes to wash daily.

 

[rikhav]

Dear Rikhav,

I bought a Bosch washing machine nearly 19 years ago when I came back to India from abroad. That machine was known as IFB Bosch because IFB was basically marketing washing machines made by Bosch. That machine worked nearly trouble-free for 18 years and was still working flawlessly when we moved to our new home about 10 months ago and replaced the old machine with a new one from Bosch. The new one is quieter and has larger spin rpm . It also has a 15 or 30 min short wash cycle in addition to all the other automatic settings.

Let me point out that IFB for the last many years has parted with Bosch and now makes and markets their own machines. IFB service in several cities including Kolkata is pretty poor. Better check locally about their service.

Bosch and Siemens are the same company. Look here: Bosch and Siemens Home Appliances Group or their Indian website for home appliances: Household Appliances | Bosch India . Their machines in India are basically identical. They are known as Bosch Siemens Hausgeraete GMBH or simply BSH.

Based on my experience with Bosch for the last 19 years, one can go with eyes closed with either Bosch or Siemens washing machines. They are slightly pricier, but I believe in the long run, you end up paying less, not just in terms of money, but also in mental peace.

The best known washing machine brand internationally is Miele, but they are very expensive. I believe they are available in a few bigger cities in India.

If you do not have experience with front loading machines, you should be careful in buying the correct detergent meant only to be used for front loading machines. These detergents are easily available in any standard supermarkets these days. Bosch recommends Ariel and we use that only. Washing quality is really very good despite poor water quality. The washed objects come out devoid of any loose water because of the high spin at the end and take usually very little time for drying.

Regards.

Hello Asit ji

So glad to hear from you

How is the Bosch service if you may have used it anytime?

I mean it's not a popular brand in comparision to Samsung and lg at least in India. So I hope there are no parts availability issues whenever needed

We have never bought a front loading machine so it will be difficult to convince my mother to go for a front loading one

Will keep you posted

Thanks again for your inputs

 

[Asit]

How is the Bosch service if you may have used it anytime?

Never had to use it so far. On the old machine many years ago (1996 or 1997), once we called service (but that was IFB service), the problem was resolved and that's it.

I mean it's not a popular brand in comparision to Samsung and lg at least in India. So I hope there are no parts availability issues whenever needed

Bosch and Siemens are seriously into it, I believe. I even got a call from the area manager of Bosch after the machine got installed by their technician. But to be sure, you can ask the bigger stores that keep Bosch. These stores usually do not carry stuff that have a lot of customer care problems.

We have never bought a front loading machine so it will be difficult to convince my mother to go for a front loading one

On average, front loading machines wash better, but they cost more and occupy a bit more space. I think, they look a lot better . I remember, when we first used a front-loading machine (abroad in 1988), I was so curious that I placed a chair in front of the machine and sat there the whole duration of the wash cycle and was giving live commentary of what I saw to my wife.

Regards.

 

[Holmes]

I have no idea about BOSCH branded washing machines. But for god's sake do not buy IFB. My brother bought one last year and its dead now. Just read about their after sales service in other blogs and forums, You'll understand why I am suggesting against it.

 

[sgmane]

I would appreciate if anyone can give me feedback for Bosch washing machines. How are they feature wise comparing other popular brands in the market and the most important thing is how is the Bosch service network
......

LG - good after sales service. They also provide 10yr warranty on the motor. Well that needs to be looked into! (II am not a fan of LG though!! - No offence to anyone. personal opinion!)
Bosch/Siemens - They are known for their technology and also good in service. Expensive than other brands. But peace of mind. Electricity consumption is less. Siemens is really low noise/or do i say less noise when the machine is actually running! No experience on Bosch!
IFB - Good earlier times. Many forum members who are having this product have bought it atleast 7yrs back. Those times the product was really good. Need minimum maintenance. Once they discontinued with Bosch - their quality had gone down. Lots of negative feedbacks on this product.

Please check to see the feedback of all the brands in the last 3yrs or so max. You would know about the feedback of these products how they perform/maintenance etc. You may decide on this.

 

[rikhav]

Thank you all for your inputs. Really appreciate it.

Well the washing machine has been purchased but sadly not of the brand I was hoping we would (Siemens or Bosch)

The issue was my mother did not want any front loading deigns. For her the wash cycle time of two or more hours was the deal breaker rather then the price.

So went with her choice which was LG. after all she is the one who has to operate it.
did not go for the direct drive ones because I felt it was nothing but marketing hype. The model I chose also has two years warranty on the whole machine and ten years on the motor

Again thanks a lot all of you for your inputs

 

[pkr]

I have been using a Siemens Front loading washing machine for the past 6 years. The mechanisms are from Bosch. In fact, both are almost the same. I recently bought the Siemens Dryer. The only difference between the Siemens and the equivalent brand from Bosch was the facia. Otherwise, everything was the same. And BTW, Bosch will be around 1000Rs more than Siemens.

I used to have an interesting problem with the washing machine due to ants. Siemens technicians usually came within 1 day of the call (except once - during the holiday season).

If you have any plans of buying a dryer, then Siemens/Bosch will help since you can stack the dryer on top of their washing machine.

 

[sash]

1. I have a LG direct drive now for 3 years. Used to own IFB.
2. I don't know about marketing hype but LG direct drive runs FAR quieter than my earlier IFB. For me this is very important. My earlier machine used to shake the house.
3. Now in our immediate family (my sisters, parents) we own 4 LG direct drives - zero issues so far on all machines. Not a single visit of service tech and we use them like 3 times a week at least.

 

[rikhav]

1. I have a LG direct drive now for 3 years. Used to own IFB.
2. I don't know about marketing hype but LG direct drive runs FAR quieter than my earlier IFB. For me this is very important. My earlier machine used to shake the house.
3. Now in our immediate family (my sisters, parents) we own 4 LG direct drives - zero issues so far on all machines. Not a single visit of service tech and we use them like 3 times a week at least.

Hi sash
Thanks for your inputs. The non direct drive machine which I have has also a ten year warranty on the motor. Lets hope it works well for me

In my home, there are at least three to four wash cycles a day. So the usage is quiet high. That was the reason my mom did not agree to buy Siemens or Bosch because they have only front loading machines and the wash cycle takes a minimum two hours to complete in a front loading machine

 

[pkr]

And one more thing. Based on the dealer, the guys who will come for installation and servicing will be the same for Siemens and Bosch

 

[jenson]

we have a panasonic top loading for almost 9 year now, works daily. no issues so far.

im moving to a new house and was contemplating bosch myself for reasons cited by op.

 

[sgmane]

we have a panasonic top loading for almost 9 year now, works daily. no issues so far.

im moving to a new house and was contemplating bosch myself for reasons cited by op.

Ok. There you are. One another FM who is having a product more than 7yrs old running perfect. Lucky. Old is gold.
Let us now keep our fingers crossed to see the new machines run for atleast some more years and not konk-off like some of the recent LCD/LED's/Plasma that goes kaput after the warranty period is over.

 

[rikhav]

Ok. There you are. One another FM who is having a product more than 7yrs old running perfect. Lucky. Old is gold.
Let us now keep our fingers crossed to see the new machines run for atleast some more years and not konk-off like some of the recent LCD/LED's/Plasma that goes kaput after the warranty period is over.

I am also wishing for same. Even my earlier national washing machine ran flawlessly for nine + years

 

[Asit]

In my home, there are at least three to four wash cycles a day. So the usage is quiet high. That was the reason my mom did not agree to buy Siemens or Bosch because they have only front loading machines and the wash cycle takes a minimum two hours to complete in a front loading machine

Rikhav,

As I have written in my first post in this thread, our Bosch has even a 15 min cycle. Timings change with the kind of wash, from 15 mins to various duration like 30 min, 40 mins etc. I do not think we ever use a cycle which takes anything more than a hour.

I do not know from where you have this impression that front loading machines takes a min of 2 hours for a cycle, but this is not correct, not just for Bosch or Siemens, but for all front loading machines. This is based on the experience of using front loading machines for nearly 19 years in India and also many years abroad.

Regards.

 

[rikhav]

Rikhav,

As I have written in my first post in this thread, our Bosch has even a 15 min cycle. Timings change with the kind of wash, from 15 mins to various duration like 30 min, 40 mins etc. I do not think we ever use a cycle which takes anything more than a hour.

I do not know from where you have this impression that front loading machines takes a min of 2 hours for a cycle, but this is not correct, not just for Bosch or Siemens, but for all front loading machines. This is based on the experience of using front loading machines for nearly 19 years in India and also many years abroad.

Regards.

Damnnnnn

I forgot to clarify on the wash cycle duration with you or dinyaar bhai who has a Siemens washing machine

The info was passed by the silly salesmen of croma and vijay sales to my mom and she was sort of brain washed.

Silly me :sad:

 

[sunilkm]

Planning to upgrade my old washing machine with Bosch 7kg Front loading.
Please share your views and after sales support. I have seen exclusive Bosch outlets in bangalore and will be visiting the weekend.