Miele S5981 + SEB217

Worst vacuum ever – This machine has been nothing but trouble. Replace motor in year 2, entire wand and hand controls were replaced at our cost. It continues to overheat every time we use the power head. It blows very hot smelly air straight up at the operator. It has very good suction when it works but no good to us without the powerhead. $260 for a new one..no way it's all going in the bin.  Show details

A nightmare – We needed a new vacuum and my husband went to buy it. When he came home with the most expensive vacuum in the store I was a bit annoyed but he told me the sales person said it was the top of the range and a great machine. Things started going wrong with it within six months. I took it back to thew store and had the telescopic rod replaced. There… Read more

are only two of us in the house and although it isn't a small place, it doesn't get overly dirty.

Now every time I get it out to use it, it overheats. There is nothing stuck in it, as it has been taken apart and checked each time. Because of the power head, the telescopic tube has a coiled power cord running down the inside and invariably gets something caught in it. Very bad design fault. I went back to the shop and they told me a service would cost me a lot of money and it wasn't worth it. We paid over $1200 for this machine and now it is discontinued. No wonder. No service, the machine is good when it works which is rare. Very disappointing and frustrating. I notice Miele doesn't comment on any of these posts, which shows how much they care about their customer satisfaction and service

Worst vacuum cleaner I have ever owned – Having owned a Hoover with a power head and then a Wertheim with a power head, which were fabulous cleaners, when we were in the market for a new cleaner, we were advised by the salesman to go with Miele. Having paid about $1100.00 we thought we had probably gone top of the market. However the power head rarely works. We have had it serviced… Read more

only to be told there was nothing wrong with it, and to add insult to injury, the service was not covered under warranty because, "there was nothing wrong with it". Whenever I use the thing, I have to vacuum without the head, because the brush won't spin. Ready to throw it out the window. Will never buy another Miele appliance!!!!!

I hate this power head! A few hours work and its dead....and warranty non existent in australia – Machine worked great and then the blessed power head problems with the red light coming on. replaced the belt....no change... its useless... I bought Miele due to it being such a great brand, what a load of rubbish. And the dealer has said, bad luck, power head not covered under warranty. I give up, never buying miele again!!!!!!!!! Ripped off $1000 signed Samantha initially worked fine power head consistent failure.

Miele falling behind rapidly – Purchased my second Miele vacuum after my first died a slow death in 2010. The old one lasted 5 years, and this last one has just died after 3 years AND I only have a one bedroom house! Company purchased from has gone bust in Townsville (of course) so I'm unable to take it back for the extended warranty I paid on top of the extremely expensive… Read more

vacuum cleaner as I wanted the power head mainly for deep vacuuming of expensive floor rugs etc. Faults really started mid 2013 when I had to order another HEPA filter. Travelled the 140km round trip to town with instruction booklets in hand to order the new filter which took four weeks to arrive and I didn't want to use the machine with the red light on (visions of the "Check Engine Light" in Big Bang). Arrived home thinking I could get into my now dirty carpets and the wrong filter had been provided! Back to town to return and order the right one (salesperson's fault at Godfreys). At this time, decided to purchase a simple filter cage as well to insert the pads provided with (expensive) bags in the event the HEPA filter shat itself again. Next problem was that the handle gradually became harder and harder to be pulled from the chrome extension arm. Back to town and even though unit was relatively clean, no alternative or suggestion could be make on how to fix this. So I forgot about using any of the attachments that I previously used due to potential shoulder strain in getting the pipes apart! Now, the motor has decided to apparently give up the ghost - it starts, strains and then ultimately stops with all light still brightly lit so I've had enough. All this while we have 7 days until we move house and I need a stupid vacuum cleaner in preparation for cleaning. Husband (Mr Gadget who likes to strip machinery down and see how things work) has suggested it's probably a flux capacitor (Back to the Future) and we will investigate this in due course when we arrive in new region. This whole exercise has cost me in excess of $1000 but will now rely on our little $150 Hoover that we have for the workshop and cars etc for near on 7 years. Was thinking of investing in all Miele appliances in our new house, but this has really put a screeching halt to any such thinking. Will return to Electrolux as I had for many years and the reviews appear to be in their favour for my next, impending purchase. Prior good name, prior good reviews, good ergonomics of the machine. Exhorbitant cost for lessening life of their products in general. Miele - pick up your game.

Excellent – We have 2 cats that shed fur constantly and our carpet is a very high, thick, plush pile, throughout a brand new 50sq home. This vacuum cleaner is the best I have ever used. Not only does it pick up absolutely everything, especially the pet hair, it leaves our carpet looking brand new every time. The Miele technology speaks for itself with its… Read more

focus on a brilliant HEPA filter, long cord, on-board tools, suction control (for normal vacuuming and for the power head), easy to manouver body and ergonomic Comfort Handle.

Cleaning our carpetted stairs have always been a problem in our house, but with this Miele, you can simply pick it up by the handle and sit it upright as you do each stair.

I would recommend this vacumm to anyone who has a large home, with lots of carpet and particularly if you have pets. Comfort Handle makes vacuuming so easy with the controls on the handle. Takes the pain and pressure of your back. Extra long power cord (9m) is very handy. Quieter than any other vac. The rotary power head is well worth the extra money. Perfect for thick pile carpets and picking up pet hair. None that I have encountered.

Somewhat disappointing – Great, at first as it replaced a Dyson. Engine blew up in the first month. It was changed without a problem. I said to the repairer are these as good as people say. He said they were and our problem was a one off. We have had no problems since. I am not sure it is as great at sucking as it was when we first got it. The attachments are fine, but… Read more

like everything Miele are not cheap.I am not sure I would recommend it because I am indifferent about it. We have a lot of Miele products and have been really happy with them. Whereas with this one I am not sure, maybe my expectations are too high given. Does a fair job on our carpets For what it is I probably expected more especially because we bought the powerhead model.

Broke down after 4 months – Purchased this near top of range vacuum cleaner from Harvey Norman in April 2011. Broke down on the 18/09/11. called harvey norman ad they washed their hands off it. Asked to take machine to Seven Hills to a service agent.Miele has a service office in Rose Hill which is closer to me.Do not know why we were not directed there. No replacement… Read more

offered and we were told the machine would take 2 weeks to repair.Had to buy another vacuum cleaner as we need the vacuum cleaner and can not go without it for 2 weeks.Got the run around and the experience was very poor. Will not buy another miele product because of very poor after sales service. Good machine but failed only after 4 months. Bad warranty service.Would have expected a far better service from mile.

Good – Great vacuum. Its really good on all flooring types. Large dust bags, excellent HEPA filter. Only a few things bug me about this machine. 1. Hose doesn't spin at both ends, so times it nearly kinks - nothing major, but a bit of a pain 2. Cost of replacement filters etc - Harvey Norman/ Good Guys/ Godfreys charge $80+ for replacement HEPA filter,… Read more

Miele Online charge $37.50.....

3. When speak to Miele directly about ordering filters etc, the guy on the phone told me to be careful of the hose and wand etc, to replace just the hose (which has the internal wiring for the powerhead), it will cost $549... the replacement cost of the wand... $505.... I nearly had a heart attack... I look after my things, but hell, if something happened to my hose or wand after warranty period I would just throw the vacuum out and buy a new one... I mean, the RRP is $999.... I got mine for $745, so I would just replace it. The bags seem to take ages to fill, and you don't lose suction power, which is excellent :-)

I have since bought the mini turbo head, but don't really use it anymore, its a bit too big to use in the car etc, so it lives in the cupboard. The vacuum itself has an automatic feature, that when you are vacuuming, if you slide the motor head or the standard floor tool into the back of the vacuum it will automatically turn off, really helpful if the phone rings, or someone comes to door! Really happy with my purchase, just concerned about replacement costs of parts..... hopefully it lasts for years... I'm 28, and my mum is on her second Miele, the first one lasted from 1991 to I think 2005.... and her second one is going as strong as ever! Miele are one of the best brands out there!

June 30th 2017 Update: Time to replace

After close to 8 or 9 years of faithful service it's come time to replace our Miele vacuum. For the past 6 months it's started cutting out with the red overheating light coming on. Bag and filters were replaced but it kept happening. Took it to Miele in Melbourne to have it looked at and unfortunately it will cost close to $600 to repair. Themo sensor has gone which has damaged the control board, in turn wearing the motor out. This vacuum has been used up to 3 times a week to clean up dog and cat hair. The power head has kept rugs and carpet totally clean, and helped in protecting wooden floorboards. Without a second thought it has been replaced with a new Miele, again having a power head and not a turbo head. This is being delivered today, costing close to $1000. Yes we could buy a cheaper Miele, or even another brand, but I want a powerhead and when you break down the cost, $1000 by at least 10 years works out to be $100 a year. Here's hoping to another 10 years of faithful service. Quiet. Excellent suction power. Powerhead cleans carpet well. Comes with standard floor tool. Remote on handle. Onboard Tool storage Hose doesn't spin 360degrees at both ends, only near the handle - cost of replacement parts

Miele model 5981 plus hepa filter vaccuum cleaner RRP $999 – After experiencing total disappointment with 2 dyson vaccuum cleaners, I decided to try Miele, as I have their brand of washing machine. And it is by far my favourite appliance in my household. I am extrememly fussy , and having an old dog that sheds a lot of hair, I was wanting a machine that would clean not just the dirt, but the dog hair from… Read more

the carpet as well as furniture.

I rang Miele in Melbourne and was able to speak to a very helpful lady, that I explained my situation to.

She recommended the above machine, that I then ordered from Harvey Norman, I have had the machine a week, and am more than satisfied with it's performance. It is sensational.

I was able to get more than $100 off the RRP as well.

I would never go back to a bagless, let alone Dyson cleaner again. It is extremely quiet, very efficient and actually sucks up all the dirt, dog hair etc. The carpet actually feels clean for the first time since moving to where I live. It is heavier than a dyson, but this is something I can easily deal with , as the machine works so well. And I can now hear the phone ringing, whereas with a noisy Dyson.. Impossible.