Product review (4 stars): Dont listen to these people this is a pretty good washer if you give it a chance
Jan's hubby speaking. We have this machine and we don't know what's behind all the  whining and gnashing of teeth in the other reviews. What are these people talking about? We have one of these in an apartment we've been renting TO COLLEGE STUDENTS for 6 years. Not exactly skilled appliance operators if you get my drift.

Today the tenant called to say she thought the dryer cycle wasn't working. Went and checked it and yes, the machine doesnt heat when it goes into dry cycle. No biggie. The element is probably out. I'll check it tomorrow but I bet the it just wore out. It happens.

Am I mad? Am I calling the machine and the company names? No. The fact is this is a mini machine designed to Euro standards where people don't expect to wash big loads then dry them to a crisp in an American style dryer. The thing has worked flawlessly in a rental situation for 6 years. I would expect something to go wrong with it by now. I have had worse luck with Maytag front loaders (that are supposed to be great...they're Maytags after all) with control boards and pumps failing in one and two year old machines. Not so with this little guy.

If I cant fix the dryer element (and I bet I can) then I will toss it because the way I figure it I saved a ton of dough by not having to run a 240 volt line to it  and venting it 6 years back when I installed it...in fact what I saved was easily the cost of a new machine today.

All the woes these people are complaining about seem self-inflicted. Yes, open the lint trap at the bottom of the machine with a full tub and you will get a flood; it's a wet lint trap, not a dry one like we Yanks are used to. Even without the tub full a little water comes out. Maybe a cup. Catch it in a cookie sheet and you'll be fine. Stuff it too full and it will not dry...at all. No room for air to circulate.

I don't know what they're saying about noise. I personally watched ours run for 30 minutes today and you can barely hear it. Its certainly quieter than the Frigidaire front loaders we have in other units and in our house (that have not been without their issues too).

Bottom line: this is probably the best combo washer dryer unit on the market, and it appears reliable. Our experience with it proves it. We wouldnt hesitate to buy another.

UPDATE 8/8/11: Checked the washer out and found dryer motor worn out (easy to do...take top cover off and it right there). Called Summit in NYC-area and they had one for $50 plus UPS. I'll be back in business in no time.