Main bearing wore out after 3 years (Zanussi FLA1001)

Member Name: BobbieSue

Product:	Zanussi FLA1001
Date:	11/06/04 (808 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: nice looking, easy to install, works fine for a short time

Disadvantages: poorly engineered, parts wear out after 3 years, impossible to repair

This review applies to the Zanussi model FLA 1001, 1101 or 1201 washing machines (same machine but with different features). We bought ours in April, 2001 for almost 300 pounds. It worked reasonably well for 3 years, but suddenly last month, started making a terrible loud whirring noise when spinning. We called 2 repair-men. The first said if it's a Zanussi, it's not worth fixing and we should junk this machine. Another repair-man came, took it apart and listened to the noise. He explained that the machine was made cheaply - engineered for ease of manufacture but impossible to replace the main bearing that holds the drum.

He offered to replace the main bearing - for over 200 pounds. But his essential advice was to scrap the machine when it gave up the ghost and buy a Bosch instead. Which is what we are going to do.

I would strongly urge anyone not to buy a Zanussi.

Summary: