Sorry, but... (Zanussi FJS1397W)

Member Name: pennyb

Product:	Zanussi FJS1397W
Date:	28/05/02 (396 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: washed well

Disadvantages: short lived, unreliable

I bought one of these machines in December 1999, after exhaustive research from the consumer guides etc available at the time. This particular model came highly recommended by more than one publication. Well, here I am in late May 2002, and the washing machine has DIED... aged not quite 2.5 years old. It needs a new motor, and also a replacement jet system pump (you cannot do without one of these, as the washing will come out still dry in the middle, or you have to manually put more water in). Price quoted by a non-Zanussi authorised repairer, but using genuine parts is just under £200.00 My guess is it would be more using the Zanussi people...

I regret I cannot recommend this machine to anyone, having had this bad experience. It is questionable whether or not it is economic to repair - even at so young an age, if such a major part as the motor can go after 2 years, what else is on its last legs? It did wash very well, using a non-bio powder if that is of interest to anyone.

I would stress that I have previously had no problem with Zanussi domestic appliances, this was my 2nd Zanussi washing machine, I also have or have had Zanussi dishwashers (3) and fridges/freezers. Never any trouble, apart from one of the dishwashers wore out after 14 years!!! Perhaps I have just been unlucky, but I would definitely hesitate to buy one of this model, whether new or secondhand if I were you. The orginal Zanussi washing machine was bought in a general auction for £150.00 and was still working (with a few strange noises) when it was disposed of to make way for its (Dud) replacement 12 years later, without ever having seen a repair man!

Summary: