vacmanuk
Joined: May 31, 2009
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Out of the Miele models I've owned, I still keep my S571 series as the main "daily driver," when it comes to daily usage. The S571 is by far one of the best Miele cylinder vacuums I've bought, even though it is around 7 kg, this vacuum has been a god send largely because it is very quiet, has all the tools I need hidden in a flap on the main body, a long hose, a long power cord, has great quality and parts/spares are relatively easy to get. Replaced by the S5/S5000 series as far back as 2004, my old S571 just won't give up and currently using Miele's F/J/M middle class 4 litre bags (currently used by the new S4000 range) the S571 still has a lot of life left to give. Indeed its no wonder Miele claim to have a 20 year lifespan; my S571 is around 9 years old and on average clearing up after a cat, I get through one disposable material bag every 2 months on average.
My reasoning for purchase however wasn't just to add the S2 to my collection, but to get something just as capable as my mother's S4210 (1800 watts in the UK) model which is extremely lightweight, twirls around on its three castors and remains efficient and extremely powerful. The problem is that whilst my S571 has a 4 litre bag, it is heavy and this is made all the more evident when its being carried out to the car as well as its actual length, width and height. I can't tell you the amount of bruises I've had when the S571 has bumped into me!
The S2 is Miele's answer if you need a bigger bag capacity than the S4. Confusingly despite the model name, Miele's new S2110 basic cylinder vacuum weighs 4.5 kg against the S4000 at 5.5 kg and the weight isn't that noticeable; I can still suspend the vacuum off a finger on the handle. It is however a much needed proposition when it came to purchase and from EBay brand new with the same 2 year guarantee Miele UK are offering, the model cost me £119 and £15 on top for postage and packaging ($134). The retail price for the S2 however is around £144-00 ($232.570) making the EBay purchase that somewhat cheaper. When buying bags you'll get replacement basic filters to change over and fitment is as easy to install and take out as it is with Miele's new 7 layered filration HyClean dust bags.
The key to the S2 is anything but a budget vacuum in the sense that it won't replace the S4000. It exists because it gives consumers "value for money," on its larger dust bag capacity alone and uses the same larger dust bag of the S5 series, the G/N bag at 4.5 litres.
However, the performance for the S2 is very surprising because it has a high power but Eco friendly 1600 watt motor. I noticed that the S2110 is extremely quiet, quieter than my S571 even set at the highest speed. As with most Miele vacs, you do get a variable suction dial and like the S4000, it is in a stepped design rather than continuous movement like older Miele vacuums. When put to the max, the floor head sticks to the floor and in terms of fitted carpeting you can see the fibres lift up from the floor head.
Despite using the same G/N bag like the current S5000 series, the S2110 has a few surprising details that make the purchase of this vacuum questionnable. For a start you'll still get the Miele standard of three smaller cleaning tools such as short crevice tool, flat upholstery brush and the round 360 degree turnable brush. But unlike the S5000 series and indeed my own older S571, the tools sit on a hose clip known as the "Vario Clip." Now, this clip that holds the tools on can be either clipped to the two part telescopic height adjustable suction tubes or it can be sited at the hose where it sprouts out from the top of the vacuum by the bin. In theory this versatile clip should be versatile and it should be able to keep the tools on board. However some of my carpets have bolted frames on the entrances to the rooms meaning the slightest knock from the wheels underneath has meant one or two tools falling off in use. This is a problem which my mum's old S4210 without the Vario clip idea (and just uses Miele's old tube clip park idea) has and Miele have been stingy here in not providing a proper hiding place for the tools to store into on the vacuum cleaner.
Gliding however is a good improvement on what has gone before. The key here is due to Miele's new floor head which is made of lightweight fibre glass compared to all plastic. In use it does possess a certain lighter shifting quality, more noticeable on carpets and a mix of material flooring than hard floors even though it is suction only, you'll still struggle to pick up threads or hair when a turbo brush is called for. The S2 does cope well even if you keep trying the standard floor head on threads.
The filtration however is another surprise; it is a Super Air Clean filter which to Miele owners means the basic starter of filtration available from Miele. With pets to clear up after the filter doesn't clear up pet hair odour terribly well and in this instance I have fitted it with Miele's HEPA filter cartridge which keeps things odour free.
Another downside is the power cord; its the same as the Miele's S4000 range which on paper means 5.5 metres when I'm used to 7 metres on my S571. This has meant constant plug swapping and an issue I'm not happy to put up with. Granted if I lived in a smaller home or a flat, the case for the S2 would be a good one but again Miele have worked the marketing here to produce a starter vacuum cleaner that has a big dirt capacity but smaller on the details that makes my S571 not so redundant.
Lastly, there is a novel accessory that is now standard with the S2 whereas it is available as a cost optional accessory. Known in Germany as the Hose Extender SFS10, the Flexhose measures 1.5 metres when fully extended and can be detached from the back of the handle for extra length. Despite this, it also adds 400g onto the back of the handle making long term use a bit of a bother and can be removed for a lighter feel both on the handle and hose. Whilst its a good idea to try and outweigh a shorter power cord length, it doesn't quite work on the basis that the vacuum was originally designed to be lighter than the S4000. The Flexhose comes into its own however if cleaning above the floor line and you need more reach but the difference between it being attached and taken off is quite a lot on the fact that its well made and has a secondary non-removable thick plastic cage surrounding the inner hose.
So if you live in a small home or a flat and you don't need that much room to get around, the S2 is a great vacuum cleaner to consider. Bearing in mind that it doesn't have a turbo brush added (Miele do sell them as an added accessory but they can be expensive, thus EBay are better) and uses suction only, the biggest saving alone is the bigger disposable dust bags the S2 uses. For the price though I can see I'd have been better off considering a model from the S5000 range, if only to have a larger amount of cord to get around with and tools that can be hidden away without worrying they will fall off. In short it will be hard to replace my beloved S571!
Date Purchased: 10/05/09
Price Paid: $216
Recommend: Yes |
Pros:
Very lightweight body, excellent suction, large bags, Eco friendly motor, variable suction, easy to use.
Cons:
Short power cord, Vario Clip a good idea in theory but sometimes the tools will fall off in use. Uses standard Super Air clean filter; expensive prices; save up for Miele's basic spec S5 if you need the bigger bag capacity and longer power cord. Flexhose idea works but it adds weight. |
This message was modified May 31, 2009 by vacmanuk
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