Washing machine recommendations?

I need to get a new washing machine next month.  I need one that's under £300 and have no idea what to get. 

I was thinking of cheap Indesit model from John Lewis.  The Indesit, because it a couple of good reviews on ciao.co.uk, and John Lewis because I've heard that their guarantee (2 years free) and after-sales service on appliances is very good. 

Does anyone have any opinions on Indesit or John Lewis?  What washing machine do you own and do you like it?

Carrie, take a look at this site.

http://www.washerhelp.co.uk/

He recommends the John Lewis own model.  Also, buying from John Lewis is good because of their extended warranty

We bought a bosch which I like and does a great job except that there are some cheap plastic parts that have broken and had to be replaced.  But we have the warranty and service has been great. 

We got an AEG for under 300 from John Lewis. The 2 year guarantee is what sold me and their delivery service was good, too.

Maybe I should add that I'll be washing cloth nappies soon.  I don't know if it makes a difference, except that they are heavy and the machine will be used every other day (if not every day).

I'll check out that website, Karen.

Just a general note (from a guy also doing a lot of new baby washing).

We're doing a great deal more laundry now that our baby has arrived, and it isn't just baby clothes.  One wonderfully eventual projectile vomitting session resulted in a load all to itself of adult clothes and sheets.  It seems that we are basically doing some wash nearly every day (also because we don't have time to let it gather and do it all at the end). 

FWIW...  Whatever machine you buy you may want to raise the point that you'll be doing more than normal washing for the next few years.

Good luck.

We wash cloth diapers but I have to say, we don't do HUGE amounts more laundry than before. Sammy isn't a very pukey baby nor is he prone to, ummm, blow outs! Our AEG seems to handle it quite well, whatever we do, though.

John Leweis own brand is what I'd reccommend.

We had an indesit for almost 9 years with no problems at all! It was a fantastic piece of kit...we even dropped it down some stairs once when moving house! Last year we had our kitchen done and we went for a pricier mid range Bosch, its good because its quiet!! But I rated our Indesit very highly!!

We're getting a Servis washer-dryer (ordered from Argos) delivered and installed tomorrow. It was a mid-range one with washer and dryer load weights that were similar. (The cheaper ones only dry half as much as they wash.)

I had a washer-dryer unit when I lived in Brooklyn, so I know the ups and downs of the combination. I also know not to let somebody house-sit and give them free rein to wash 200 lbs of laundry in three weeks. (I came home from Ireland to find that the motor was burnt out.)

I'll let everyone know how the Servis works out.

If you want the best washing machine then you only need to look at a Mielle

They weigh in at 100Kg+ and do cost over £500+ but and theres the but

They are made like tanks, my mother has one and its 17 years old and has only had a bubber hose replaced in its life and still looks like new.

Save your money and buy this one. I used to work in a shop selling these and people would come back after 18 months from buying a hotpoint or any other make and buy the Mielle. They are the Rolls of washing machines.

Not sure if you are still in the market for a washing machine, but last year I bought a Zanussi-model 1621.  It was under £300 and I bought it from Argos. 
I'm happy with it-the 1600 spin really gets the clothes spun!  It holds 6kg. 

I hate Indesit.  They are crap.    However, I've heard nothing but good things about John Lewis warranties.  If the machine is only going to get light use, you could probably get away with an Indesit, but otherwise I'd reccomend Bosch or Neff. 

YMMV. 

We decided to go with the John Lewis in the end.  It arrived this week - £299 with free shipping and a 3 year warranty.  I'm really impressed with it so far - I can't believe how quiet it is.