Alan Cochrane Posted May 15, 2014 Report Share Posted May 15, 2014 Hi Everyone My Karcher K5.7 pressure washer has decided to give up the ghost. Mind you checking the general feedback on Karcher has made me realise that I was lucky to have it work as long as it did. I was wondering what the other members would recommend? Not having a pressure washer is a bit of a nightmare for me since I hate washing cars by hand and I have four to look after. Cheers Alan Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AlfredHitchcock Posted May 15, 2014 Report Share Posted May 15, 2014 Ive got a Nilfisk C110 which is their smallest I think. It sometimes comes up on Amazon at a reduced price and is very good value. I think I paid about £50 ish and it came with a patio cleaner and car shampoo thingy. Great reviews and no problems. Nick Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Geko Posted May 15, 2014 Report Share Posted May 15, 2014 (edited) You were probably "lucky" enough to have bought it at a time there was only one quality available. Nowadays most Karcher and other pressure washers offered to the public are B grade made in Asia where I'm sitting (especially those you find online and in supermarkets). Karcher are still the best IF you can find the real thing made and assembled in Germany (and good luck in tracing the origin, really). The advantage of Karcher is that they have a huge network of retailers so no problem sourcing parts and accessories. Edited May 16, 2014 by Geko Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ian Vincent Posted May 15, 2014 Report Share Posted May 15, 2014 I'm on my second pressure washer, I think you have to accept that unless you pay serious money they will have a limited life. My current one was bought from Wickes via mail order and is their own brand although I have seen the same machine badged up by a number of different companies. The important thing for me was plenty of pressure so my current one is 160 psi as opposed to the 100 psi of the previous one. Works a treat so far although you have to be careful not to strip paint with it. Rgds Ian Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AlanT Posted May 15, 2014 Report Share Posted May 15, 2014 You wil find that lots of established brands that we used to associate with quality are now inferior far-east stuff. I find this all the time with cutting tools. Increasingly I only buy NOS stuf and often from USA. All part of the rip-off world we are now in. I just bought a tool made in Switzerland around 1925. These were £6 in 1915. Anybody know how much that equates to now? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Steves_TR6 Posted May 15, 2014 Report Share Posted May 15, 2014 I bought a Karcher in about 1997?, still going strong ! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Alan Cochrane Posted May 15, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 15, 2014 Thanks for all the input. I've now completely dimantled the Karcher and it does look like a quality product. Surprisingly the pump works on the same principal as the Triumph mechanical fuel pump, with the pressure created by three pistons not some cheap plastic impeller. Despite this I still couldn't find out what was wrong with it. I was thinking of buying a Nilfisk since my next door neighbour swears by his, although the current model probably carries the dreaded "made in China" sticker on it. More investigation required. Cheers Alan Quote Link to post Share on other sites
MikeF Posted May 15, 2014 Report Share Posted May 15, 2014 When my 4 year old Karcher broke, they replaced it by return saying our machines last longer than that or something similar. Can't remember precisely as this was about 10 years ago, no problems in that time. So Karcher is OK by me. Mike Quote Link to post Share on other sites
matthewpetzold Posted May 17, 2014 Report Share Posted May 17, 2014 I have had two Karchers, both of which proved to have limited life. Now using a STIHL RE128 Plus - this is more expensive at £200+ but has so far been as good as gold, and being STIHL I would expect it to go on and on. It is electric just like Karchers, though most STIHL products are petrol of course. I believe they may do other washers but not sure whether mine is "entry level" or not. Matthew Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Jersey Royal Posted May 17, 2014 Report Share Posted May 17, 2014 I too have a Stihl power washer. When I got it, I was told that if I was to use an extension lead, make sure its only as long as it needs to be, and made of a suitably sized cable. Not one of your usual cable extension reels, as this will drasticaly reduce its life, as the pump will be working harder.I had them make me up a cable, think its rated at 16 amps, not sure. Happy days. Cheers GUY Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Alan Cochrane Posted June 2, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 2, 2014 Well I finally plumped for a Bosch AQT-37-13 pressure washer. It's small, powerful and seems to do the job. Currently cheapest on Amazon at £142, although I'm sure someone will find it cheaper somewhere else-isn't that always the case! Alan Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Geko Posted June 2, 2014 Report Share Posted June 2, 2014 yep, over here would be 125£ - but the difference is due to lower taxes http://www.boschhardware.com/bosch-garden-tools/bosch-aquatak/high-pressure-cleaner-aquatak-37-13-plus/ Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Alan Cochrane Posted November 19, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 19, 2014 (edited) Six month update. Avoid the Bosch AQT-37-13 like it's the plague. I've never come across such a heap of junk. I finally got a full refund last week after two successive units developed various faults. In addition it doesn't even have an internal soap bottle. Bosch customer service also seems to have gone to China. They were absolutely woeful and even stated that they'd be happy to keep repairing the washer for years to come rather than offer a refund. Amazon stepped in and promptly took back the washer and gave a full refund-no questions asked. Well done Amazon! I'm now looking at a Stihl RE98 which is what my neighbour actually recommended, not a Nilfisk as I wrongly posted. Has anyone any experience of this washer and can you get an adaptor to allow the fitment of Karcher tools? Cheers Alan Edited November 19, 2014 by Alan Cochrane Quote Link to post Share on other sites
McMuttley Posted November 19, 2014 Report Share Posted November 19, 2014 I bought the wife a pressure washer for Xmas year's ago, waste of money, she never uses it. Hopefully she will find the set of AF spanners that I have got her this year to be far more useful (they are King Dick after all) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TRseks Posted November 19, 2014 Report Share Posted November 19, 2014 I have had an Alto for ten years, I think Alto is the same as Nilfisk?? It's built like a tank and just keeps going year after year. I had a Karcher which was totally junk so researched to find the best quality for the money and ended up with this Alto. So if you want something that does not break down Nilfisk/Alto will serve you well. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RobinTR6 Posted November 20, 2014 Report Share Posted November 20, 2014 I bought the wife a pressure washer for Xmas year's ago, waste of money, she never uses it. Hopefully she will find the set of AF spanners that I have got her this year to be far more useful (they are King Dick after all) Obviously you'll need to get her a 2 ton trolley jack to ensure she gets maximum benefit from the King Dicks.... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
McMuttley Posted November 20, 2014 Report Share Posted November 20, 2014 she got one of those as an anniversary present this year, 2.5t actually, lucky girl Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ian Vincent Posted November 20, 2014 Report Share Posted November 20, 2014 Hi Austin, But i'll bet you haven't dared to buy her an iron as a Christmas (or birhtday) present yet? Rgds Ian Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Steve R Posted November 20, 2014 Report Share Posted November 20, 2014 Hopefully she will find the set of AF spanners that I have got her this year to be far more useful (they are King Dick after all) Better get her a grease gun too Austin, It'll come in handy when she tells you where to put them! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
McMuttley Posted November 20, 2014 Report Share Posted November 20, 2014 Great idea steve, I have a spare in the garage still in its original unopened packaging - she'll never know. Ian - I did buy her a vacuum one christmas - the line "but its a Dyson love" didn't really help. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
peejay4A Posted July 1, 2015 Report Share Posted July 1, 2015 Nothing like a bit of spam to wake an old thread. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
carld Posted July 2, 2015 Report Share Posted July 2, 2015 Had the same Karcher for god knows how long and absolutely no issues so +1 for Karcher Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.