Vacuum Cleaners Discussions

-- Does anyone with oriental rug/wood floor plus pet use and like the non-electric? Which model and head(s)? Is the Turbo head a mistake for my situation? Anyone with a pet use this?   I like the ergo handle (I have bad joints), hepa, parquet twist looks nice for wood and getting into tight places. I like not having to switch heads, but could get used to it if necessary. I'm not sure any one machine has the combo I might end up wanting, so I may need to supplement.

-- Should i get the S4 on sale for $499 with lower suck;  and add an 450-s to complete the package?  Is it strong enough?

-- Or go with non-elec S5 and add heads/ergo handle?  Is the S5 a better investment? How is it better/different?  

-- Or go electric? - which I'm not really feeling right now pricewise, and because it seems like overkill for my situation and like i might park the head and not use it, but will keep an open mind (I don't want the s2)

[PS. right now my floors aren't sealed and the dirt gets stuck between wood strips so need suck power, but this will change sometime and before sealing I'll likely rent a commercial vac to super clean.

Most grateful for your advice and experience. 

Many thanks.

Maddy

Hi there Maddy, et al -
Great wealth of information has been provided to you ... Can I ask why your dealer hasn't shown you the Miele S2 line? Electrobrush models for both $500 and $600 range... Just thought I would let you know that they are available as well - more or less as an "intro" to the Miele Brand (same motors as the S4 and S5  to boot!!)

Maddy First off let me say I'm a dealer so you may not want to listen to my advice. LOL First off I HIGHLY recommend the Powerhead over the Turbo. My demo turbo is always in need of attention. It hates sand/grit and after a year or so it will hate hair. If you know vacuums and/or have the time to maintain them you might like the turbo. I don't. If you only had 2-3 area rugs and no pets I would then recommend the turbo. The S4 is an amazingly well constructed machine I'm not sure why your dealer doesn't think so...unless he's purposely trying to move you to a higher pricepoint. On all that I have tested, the suction equals the S5. I would recommend the Libra at $829 (average IN STORE Price). It has everything you want, Sealed HEPA System, Powerhead, Swivel Floor brush, Large Bag, Well Made, Tools on board and no need to continue shopping for add ons. Unless your once again into the whole vacuum thing or love the thrill of bargain shopping, hunting for bargains on tools, filters, bags, etc is really a waste of time vs the amount of savings in return. Heck your willing to pay extra at the allergy club online instead of a your local vac shop. Next, if price were an issue, I'd get the S2 Delphi and then find the add on bargains.

My brief experience with Miele turbo brushes is they are relatively quiet compared to the competition, but bog down easily and can stall out on carpeting.  Better to go electric.

Miele offers two different electric Powerheads, the 217 and more expensive234/236 series. 
The 217 is smaller, lighter, and has longer, softer bristles.  It's a good all around powered brush but so far only manages a "good" for rugs from the Consumers Union tests of Miele cannisters.
The 234/236 has headlight, is wider, heavier, has 5 height adjustments.  Consumers Union's never tested it but for me it's better on rugs and not so good on bare floors than the 217,

The S5's bigger bag means you can go longer between bag changes, but the vacuum will be a little larger, heavier and more expensive.

Good luck!

vacomatic wrote:

Hi,

Just to make mention, there is now the SEB228 power nozzle.  The housing design has been altered but it appears to have all the fetures of the top of the line PN except the flourescent headlight is gone.  The Miele "stoe" is offering it  for $209.  I have only seen this on Miele shop-online pages and have no idea when it will start to sell with canisters.

http://www.mielestore.com/stores/miele/buy_online/item_details.aspx?product_category_id=1&product_group_id=1&product_subgroup_id=1&item_id=267&product_type=ACC&item_number=

Venson

Venson wrote:
What did I tell you Maddy? There would be different opinions - and that's good but i BET You never expected such a huge response before - if only, all things in life were as valued making all kinds of other purchases! However, Guys - Maddy wants a bargain and doesn't want to feel pushed to buy expensive - see previous posts.

The Miele S5 UK is different and you'd have to use a transformer to use it each time if you bought it from the UK to be shipped to the US. This applies to any UK appliance that has a different voltage.

As for the S2, Lucky - Maddy has already been made aware of the S2's poor reliability - not from me but from the dealer that Maddy has gone to.

When it comes to dealing with precious rugs et al I've only ever used the air driven turbo brush. The electric heads have a motor all of their own that powers up including the motor suction from the vacuum. Though similar, the electric heads are heavier whilst the larger turbo brush is lighter. Granted the air driven one will clog - but then so do powered motor heads - and both have easy to remove screws on the base plate to clean the brush from clogs.

I must admit it's not easy being a pet owner when it comes to cleaning up animals that moult. My SEBO Felix & Sebo uprights deals with that quite effectively, but Maddy would find it hard to buy a Felix or X/Windsor Sensor on the amount of money she is prepared to pay out and not being able to clean hard flooring at the same time unless she considers the Felix upright with the additional parquet brush changeover.

Maddy:

I would argue the case that you buy the best MIELE cann you can afford right now.  Recommending an electric P/N over the air turbine.  Why?  In a few months/and even more likely longer, the value/purchasing power of your current money will get you less [perhaps significantly so].  With the current MIELE inventory for sale, you'll get the most bang for your buck not just now but well into the near and distant future.  Maybe you're buying more than you need right now, but not for future.  You mentioned "investment."  As an investment if your needs change in the future, by upgrading your wants now, you're ready for whatever happens in the future cleaning wise. 

Don't have to be concerned about electric P/N on delicate carpeting, just adjust the suction power on the MIELE S5 to compensate.  Simple solution.

Carmine D.

Maddy,  Whatever you buy in the MIELE canister line, electric P/N or air, compact or full size, you'll be pleased and they will do the job superbly.  You can't make a mistake or go wrong.  IMMER BSSER.

Carmine D.