Decision time on Miele - Need some help

[jumby75]

Over the past week, I've been able to put the Miele C3 Marin head to head with a Sebo D4. While I was actually considering the E3 Supreme, my dealer only had the D4 available at the time to test. Anyway, I felt the Miele came out just a tad better for what I was looking for and will report my results in another post. Now I just need to decide on the C3 Marin or Brilliant/Home Care Plus.

I'm leaning towards the Brilliant only because I get the extended warranty of 10/10/5, as opposed to the Marin which is 7/7/1. Additionally, the Brilliant comes with the AllTeQ floorhead and Parquet Twister XL and the HomeCare Plus comes with the AllTeQ head, extended crevice tool, and adjustable universal brush. These are accessories I would be purchasing anyway if I bought the Marin and that would add another $125 to my price. This makes the difference between the two vacuums about $275, which isn't bad considering what I would be getting extra, especially the warranty.

Anyway, the ONLY concern I have is the fact the suction control is on the handle of the Brilliant/HomeCare+ and not also on the machine itself, which ironically is also why I'm leaning towards these machines. Now, this isn't really a problem for me because I do like the controls on the handle as it is much more convenient to change the suction if I don't want it on auto, as well as put the vac in standby mode or turn off the PN. But I'm guessing I would be reliant on being able to only use that hose with the controls on the handle. I'd be curious if the machine defaults to auto when no hose is attached. The reason is, some shops make custom LONG hoses to go with Miele and I am interested in purchasing one to use the attachments with it. However, if I can't control the suction on the machine itself, I don't know where that puts me.

If anyone knows the answer to my concerns or has any input, I'm totally open and would love to hear from those that do have Brilliants or HomeCare+ machines and what they have to say.

 

[tseg]

Interesting. It seems the Brilliant does not have the up and down suction power buttons on the console, so may not be able to use any other hose/handle than what comes with the Brilliant. Based on some unboxing videos I've seen it looks like the console power button will always move the machine from Off to standby and the hose handle has to turn it from standby to On. But I cannot confirm.

With the above said, I think either the Brilliant or Marin would be awesome.

 

[earthling177]

Sorry, I'm not able to give you a definitive answer as you are talking about new models. Maybe that's something you need to test at the store.

What I *can* tell you is that I have 2 Mieles, one (White Pearl, I believe, the TOL from 1997 or so), which still runs like new, BTW, the controls are on the machine and you can remove the hose and turn the machine on or off or even use a different hose.

The other one, from 2014, I think, also TOL at the time, the S8 UniQ, has a power button and rewind button on the machine, all the rest is controlled from the hose handle. If you remove the hose, you can not make the machine run.

Just because I am here anyway, I also happen to have the Sebo D4 and Automatic X4. Lovely machines too.

Depending on how you look at them, they are either all the same or all different. I have friends come visit to test them all, and for some of them, it's all about how fast you can get a task "done", for others it's how *well* the task gets done, for some other people, the accessories make all the difference etc.

I can tell you I have about 12 vacuum cleaners (I know, I know, it's nothing compared to the folks here that have 400+) and none of them are *perfect*, they all have their good and bad points etc.

Even weird things like hose length -- I don't mind much either way because I'm not shy and I *can* just use 2 or 3 machines to clean my house, I think it's OK. If I had to have only *one* machine, like a lot of folks, things would complicate a lot very fast. The Sebo D4 has a longer hose compared to the Miele. That makes it way easier to clean stuff near the ceiling, for example. But that long hose is often catching on things while you are trying to clean the house. The Miele makes cleaning things high up (say, top of the blinds) more complicated, but the machine follows you like an obedient puppy and the hose rarely catches on things on top of the coffee table, for example.

There are thousands of things like that I could tell you, and not just about those two brands either. One machine glides over deep rugs/wall-to-wall carpeting and drags and/or makes annoying noises on hard floors just to see exactly the reverse happen with another machine, which glides beautifully and nearly silently on ceramic and hardwood floors and then is hard to run over shag/friese/deep pile carpeting.

You need to test and decide for your case. For example, the Miele S8 UniQ is the absolutely quietest machine I have, and when I *need* to clean and am so not in the mood, it's the machine I pick because it may not be perfect or best at everything, but it does everything at the very least above average, the finish is very well thought of and the machine seems to do everything it can to help and stay out of your way. It's so freaking *pleasant* to use. Even compared to the White Pearl, which is nearly identical but not identical (heavier, louder etc). The D4 is about as loud as my older Miele, really nice machine but has quirks too. Anyway, I already blathered for too long.

Good luck!
   -- Paulo.

 

[jumby75]

Thanks, Paulo

That's interesting to know about removing the hose from the Uniq vacuum. Right now, that is really the only thing I'm going back and forth on is the situation with the controls being on the handle only. How funny that one of the attributes I like the most about the Brilliant is also causing me the most concern. Not a HUGE concern since I would have the warranty and I do understand Miele's are built like a brick house, but still something to consider.

Anyone have any other thoughts? Hoping to lock this thing in this week.

 

[eurekaprince]

I think it's safer to have the suction controls on the main unit...I think electrified hoses with overly-complicated hand controls can be a source of problems over the years. It's cheaper to replace a simpler hose than a complicated one if you encounter any "shorting out" problems. As long as you have the Auto feature on the cleaner, it should be enough to help you keep the power at the right level at all times. You really don't need the suction control on the handle. Just my "2 amps" worth of advice!

 

[hooverman2121]

With the UniQ/Brilliant the machine will not run without the hose (as mentioned above). When these machines first came out in their S8 iterations I bought a Marin and my mother a UniQ. I quickly learned I preferred the slightly longer hose on the Marin and didn't miss the handle controls as much as I thought I would.

I don't think all the extra goo-gads like the LED lights on the side, metal accents, or velvet-lined tool compartment are worth it. Plus, I never cared for the color!

I recently bought another Marin, the C3 this time, as I donated my other one to a good friend of mine. I miss the metallic paint finish of the first generation but it's still a solid machine that performs just as well as the Brilliant! In the end, it comes down to gadgetry and in this case, it's not worth it for a machine that performs the same, but that's my .02.

Cheers,

Rich

 

[jumby75]

Valid points...

This is going to be a tough one. I agree with everyone here and it does concern me about the machine not able to function without that specific handle. Odd they would make something so limited like that, but then again, having a longer warranty probably does help some.

One thing about the handle control that I read in the manual is you are not actually shutting off the vacuum. It only puts it in standby mode and you can't have it in that state too long for the motor's sake. But there is a little light on the control panel that shows the vacuum is in standby mode.

It does seem people love both of these machines, so we'll see. Decisions, decisions....

 

[tseg]

I think quality value per dollar the Marin is probably the best in the Miele line, so good choice. That SEB 236 PH is awesome... I like the low profile, headlight and manual height adjustment.

With that said, if one wants to spoil themselves with both an electric and non electric setup (to enjoy lower weight and better balance where applicable), there is potential value in doing it with an Alize purchase where similar capability costs ~ $85 less AND the Airteq nozzle is potentially greater value than the parquet head AND one gets Dynamic Drive casters AND one gets that little plastic cover plate to cover the electric connection on the base unit when the non-electric hose is in use. I believe what I'm listing below are published US MSRPs by the manufacturer for comparison. Not trying to change your position - I love the blue, but something others may want to consider if they still have the itch to keep spending money on Miele products in the never-ending search for the ultimate vacuum. Of course, once one has done the below... time to start adding many accessories.

 

[alexhoovers94]

I think the SEB228 cleans better and manoeuvres more easily.

It comes on our Complete C3 Electro Plus...The old S5 revolution used to come with the SEB236, it was not as nice to use in my opinion.

 

[jumby75]

Just realized something....

Here I am debating the fact the controls are on the handle of the Brilliant and no way to operate the vacuum without the hose, but that's the same situation I had with all my Kenmores. The suction control/power button was not on the vacuum and I guess I did just fine. I think the only time this would become a problem is if I wanted to add a non-electric hose and I'm not sure when I would want to do that. Most of my house is carpet, so the PN will be on most of the time. I don't find the electric hose to be heavy, so I'm okay with that. But I gotta admit, Tseg's dream machine is pretty cool.

Honestly, if it wasn't for the longer warranty on the Brilliant and the controls on the handle, I probably wouldn't be going back and fort with this. The lighting and chrome trim is no big deal to me and not worth the extra money. Need to figure this out this week since Los Angeles sales tax goes up again this Sunday. Argh!

 

[kirbylux77]

Jumby75

Not having the controls on the vacuum presents one more problem you probably haven't thought of - if the vacuum hose gets clogged.

What I have found is the majority of the time you get a clogged hose on a canister vacuum, it's usually right in the hose handle, or where the hose handle meets the hose material. You can try using a coat hanger, but you risk damaging the hose material & ruining the hose.

Decades ago, you could have just used the vacuum's blower function & blow the clog out into the garbage can, but most vacuums now don't have a blower function. The easiest way to remove a clog is to put the hose handle into the suction inlet on the vacuum, turn it on & suck the clog into the bag. Since you cannot do this with a vacuum with the power & suction level controls on the hose handle, you either have to have a second vacuum without hose handle controls, or you're stuck taking it into the repair shop each time you have a clogged hose. And as EurekaPrince pointed out, it makes the cost of a hose replacement more expensive, & the vacuum is more complicated & one more thing to break easily.

If I was in your position, I would be choosing the Miele Marin & leaving the controls on the canister. As much as I love my Simplicity Gusto with it's hose handle controls, that's one of my regrets about it that it cannot be run without the hose attached.

Rob