Riccar 'Immaculate' or Miele s8 'Uniq'

[brok423]

I googled for a while first, and did not find these models compared directly.

I'm looking to buy one of these two models, and just don't know how good the Miele s8 Uniq is. I was able to demo a Riccar Immaculate at home for a day and was very mipressed, but not necessarily blown away. It cleaned great, but did not seem any better than my current Dyson DC14 'All Floors'. I guess I'm wondering how people view the Uniq specifically, as I don't see many with any expereince with that unit.

My main wants in the unit are (in order):
1. Cleaning ability (obviously)
2. Air flow
3. Air filtration
4. Warranty
5. Ease of use

ANy experience anyone could provide me with either of these models, let alone both (that would be sweet) would be more helpful than you could know.

OH, and great board!

 

[dysonman1]

Look at it objectively. The cost to you to OWN the machine is much higher with the Miele. For example: Miele bags are 4 for $22. The Hepa filter is $50 once per year. A Miele brush roller for the Power Nozzle (when the bristles wear down) is $125. The cord winder assembly is well over $100 when the cord get a cut in it or gets run over and abraded. Does a vacuum really need to light up the ground under it? Does it need a velvet lined attachment compartment? The Miele has "Barbie's dream house attachments" in that they are very small. You can't dust anything with the Miele's dusting brush.

Contrast this is the USA made Riccar. We sell them in the Factory Outlet Store all day long. The bags are 6 for $18. The bristles in the brush roller can be replaced without buying the entire brush roll. Cost is about $20. The cord can be replaced onto the reel without buying the entire cord reel assembly. The attachments are AWESOME - the dusting brush is second only to the real Electrolux dusting brush. The bare floor tool with the Riccar is awesome - put a penny on the floor, place the Miele floor tool on top of it, and it cannot pick up a penny. The Riccar tool inhales all day long and the electrostatic pad dusts the floor while the suction vacuums it. The Riccar power nozzle has three rows of bristles and a steel soleplate. From the standpoint of COST of OWNERSHIP, the Riccar is a win/win situation. The Riccar suction is actually slightly stronger than the Miele. The Riccar is also LOTS less expensive than the S8 Miele Unique.

 

[kirbyloverdan]

Riccar/Simplicity

Tacony products are far superior to Miele I own several Tacony vacuums and prefer them to any Miele I own .

I used to sell both in my store and feature for feature I sold more Simplicity vacuums (same as Riccar)
than I did Miele once I showed customer how they compare part by part .

Oh and the hoses are much longer than Miele Tom you left that out !


Dan

 

[sebo_fan]

Gosh I think I want a Riccar after reading all of that.

In the UK we can't get Riccar but I do agree that the Miele S8 UniQ is all bells and whistles. If you're going to (still) go for a Miele, basic is always best IMHO but for what that Riccar model offers, seems like they're better built and better designed without needlessly spending on after care and consumables.

 

[brok423]

Thank you. Great to get responses from the board owner, veterans and most product-intensive knowledgeable posters right off the bat!

I agree that the tools alone are a world of difference in quality (let alone size). The Riccar tools are bigger, have the long horsehair bristles, and are very versatile (can reverse the upholstery tool and it works as the ceiling/vent tool. Just better. So the miele is now officially out of the running.

I did much more homework via searching threads here since I started this thread and found MANY members here love the Lux Guardian Platinum and the Sebo D4. The lux guardian platinum seems like the closest competitor since it looks to be powerful, manufactured well, and comes with an electric turbo brush standard (the Riccar Immaculate also has the electric turbo brush separate-the only two with electric turbo brushes).

I'm going to my local aerus dealer tomorrow to look in person, but I'm heavily leaning to the Riccar Immaculate. As a newborn TOL vacuum enthusiast this process can be exhausting with so much to absorb (puns intended ).

Few random questions if I may. (and more importantly if any of you have the time)
1) What type of PN is on the Imaculate?
2) If I have mostly medium to high like carpet throughout a 3,400sf house, should I go with with a Riccar upright instead?
3) if so, Radiance or Premium Radiance? (& aren't updated versions being released any day now?)
4) How do you both feel about the Electrolux Ultraone? (one local specialty dealer yesterday was pushing it hard on me.)

 

[funeraldirector]

S8 Uniq vs Riccar Immaculate

Hi,

I went through this whole scenario about a month or so ago. Choices were S8 Marin & Uniq, Sebo D4, Lux Platinum and Riccar Impeccable/Immaculate, all of which I pay dealer price for.

Miele makes a good vacuum that cleans well, is durable, expensive to own and is more convenient to look at on the shelf than vacuum your home with. The issue being short hoses, cords, heavy wands, clunky power brushes and an attachment set that requires you to actually use your imagination. The Vortex motor is small and is allergic to any quasi commercial application where it actually gets a lot of hard use. A commercial lab went through 4 Vortex motors last year here in their new Miele upright. Water lift in inches is around the mid 90's not unlike the older Miele motors. I felt the overall quality was not even close to that of my old Silver Moon. At the end of the day they still clean carpet extremely well. If you do Miele go with the Marin ad save yourself five hundred dollars.

There is something almost "Air-Way" like in that purple colored Riccar Impeccable so that would be my choice. It felt more like the Miele Silver Moon than the Uniq did in terms of canister quality, has a motor double the size of the S8 with considerably more power, longer hose, cord, and way better attachments. Don't forget a better cleaning power nozzle and lower operating costs. The made in the USA is a nice touch as well. The last one of these I had was about 115" water lift or so. The only thing you gain in the Immaculate is a dirt sensor and one extra brush strip. The gold color is about as inspiring as the Uniq as well. Otherwise the Riccar canisters are identical.

For everything you have outlined the Lux Platinum is also a perfect fit and can be had for the discounted price of an S8 Uniq and has significantly more power, better filtration, is quieter and has the best attachments in the industry combined with a quiet, nimble power nozzle that does a good job and the operational cost are very reasonable in addition to a 15 year warranty. Very annoying trying to get an S8 un-stuck from a Lux Platinum hose, but with patience it can be done! Water lift is about 116" and 506 air watts.

The Sebo D4 Premium with the ET-1 nozzle is a sweet machine as well. Had the white one and loved it. Best power nozzle of the bunch when it comes to actual amount of dirt in the bag/maybe tied with the Impeccable lol. Worth a look also.

I bought the new Platinum and will soon order the Impeccable for the house at Sugarloaf. Even at dealer cost for the Mieles, I chose the Lux Platinum and next the Riccar.


Brian

 

[marcusprit]

The Riccar Immaculate is $1,500! There's no way I'd pay that for a vacuum cleaner, that's crazy money!
The Sebo D4 Premium is £350 in the UK and is an awesome cylinder cleaner. The brushroll pops out so it's easy to clean or change. It performs extremely well on all floors. Very solidly built,50ft reach and a 5 year warranty. I know which cleaner I'd prefer.

 

[turbo500]

The Sebo D4 Premium is £350 in the UK

The D4 is $900 in the US.

Vacuums are usually more expensive in the US compared with the UK/Europe. No idea why, but it's been that way for a long time. Whilst it's possible to pick up a Dyson in the UK for £250-ish (about $400), you'd be looking at between $600 and $800 in the US.

It's possible to argue that this is because it's more expensive for Dyson to ship their cleaners to the US, but even US made Kirby's can be a lot cheaper here. I've known them go as low as £800 ($1286) from a Kirby salesman, whereas you're looking at $2000+ in the US.

 

[marcusprit]

Yes indeed Mieles are very expensive in the US too.But still $1500 for the Riccar.......

 

[turbo500]

The Riccar is still cheaper than a Kirby and in the same price range as Aerus, so it's not uncommon for a high end cleaner made in the US to retail in the $1000's.

 

[marcusprit]

Just noticed Miele's top model cylinder is also $1500! It's £550 over here and i think thats expensive! They are being ripped off in the US!!!!

 

[turbo500]

They are being ripped off in the US!!!!

It's all relative though. Salaries in the US tend to be higher than in the UK for comparative jobs, so spending $1500 on a vacuum wouldn't be that much of a huge deal. High end, yes, but only like someone in the UK spending £400 on a Dyson.

$1500 is £934.41, which in the UK could easilly be someone's monthly wage if they worked part time or full time on minimum wage, but it wouldn't have that much of an impact on someone with an average wage in the US. Obviously, this would be dependant on someone's income and out goings, hence there will always be a market for cheap vacuums. But for someone wanting and being able to afford high end in the US, $1500 wouldn't have the same impact as it does in the UK.

 

[turbo500]

Great to get responses from the board owner

just a heads up, the board owner hasn't responded to this

 

[marcusprit]

I take your point but you can get the new Shark powered lift away for around $250 with a 7 year warranty. It looks like an awesome vacuum. I wish it was available over here.
But is Riccar and Miele worth $1250 more than the Shark? Personally I don't think sK the Shark is bagless but for that price difference I wouldn't care!

 

[brok423]

Thank you all for your help and input. The pricing on the Immaculate at one dealer (nicest person so far who hasn't pushed any purchase) is $1,329 with no tax (I live in SC where there is none charged) out he door. He also has a flexible payment plan that doesn't require credit being run. Just another convenience. I won't use that but it's just to point out how much easier it is to buy from him.

Looking at the Aerus LGP today. Excited to see it in action. Sebo if I can fit that in too.

Anyone have any input as to the Radiance vs Premium Radiance and if there are updates to both due soon? Only downside to the Riccar TOL uprights as far as I can see is the division of the amps for the tools. It's gets 6 as opposed to the full 12. Unless I'm wrong there.

Edit: That Sebo D4 with the floor polishing head is looking enticing too. I have HW throughout my downstairs floor.

 

[turbo500]

All depends on what the customer wants. Personally, I wouldn't pay £400 for a Dyson, but people obviously are paying it otherwise the price would have to be lower. If someone is happy to pay $1500 for a Miele, then they will charge it.

 

[marcusprit]

Definitely look at the Sebo D4 premium.It's a fantastic machine. Have a look at go vacuum review on YouTube

 

[marcusprit]

Haha I have just paid £319 for a Dyson DC 41 mk2. I used to hate Dyson thought they were crap. Not anymore it has become my favourite upright and I own a sebo Felix and Miele s7.This machine has totally changed my mind about Dyson. It is just FANTASTIC!!!!

 

[turbo500]

I haven't had a chance to use the DC41mk2 yet, so I can't comment. I will say though, overall, as a brand, I don't like Dyson. Don't like his marketing tactics or agree with his ethics. I doubt very much that 1 good model can make up for the 41 other mediocre models in my view. But that's really for another thread.