Hey all

Bought the above from argos this week and after setting it up and giving it a try after literally 5 mins water started leaking badly from all the attachments and even the inlet connector. Checked everything was tight and made certain it was all mated correctly. I fear I've fallen foul to dodgy O rings or just a poor batch.

To the credit of argos, they refunded me no trouble but having to have taken it back due to how problematic it was, not to mention it's poor pressure has really put me off Nilfisk. Perhaps this is my reward for getting one of the entry models but leaking parts is no excuse.

Trouble is, it gets good reviews and apparently Nilfisk trump Karcher in every department. I was in B&Q this morning having returned the Nilfisk only for a chap to tell me whilst seeing me weigh up the stock 'don't get a Karcher they're ****'.

I was under the assumption the higher end (K4/5 variants) are induction cooled aluminium pumps or am I wrong?

Looked at going down the Bosch route as well but only experience with them is power tools as I'm a tradesman. No idea how they are with pressure washers or what the accessories are like.

I'm really annoyed as the whole idea of a pressure washer was for me to start having a go at doing it myself rather than paying valeters or just leaving my car to get mucked up to the nines.

Seems me putting in an outside tap was a waste of time. Please help restore my faith and point me in the right direction. What do I do now and what should I buy?

I have a very old Karcher but I think these were built with quality in mind....various references to an aluminium pump as opposed to plastic in the more modern ones.

If I were looking to buy I'd go Nilfisk. Without researching your specific model I'd say if you've look at reviews then you've been unlucky.....it maybe a unit that's been returned and repackaged or been dropped, who knows! I'd buy from elsewhere....I know there are many happy users of the Nilfisk units.

Thanks for replying. It is possible I went and bought a pig in a poke yes but either way, massively dissapointed it failed so quickly.

Pretty reluctant to go back local argos in case another I bought failed, even though I'm in my rights for an exchange/refund.

I may purchase a higher end Nilfisk and give this experience the benefit of the doubt.

That's bad news. I've got the same model, bought from Argos a year or so ago, and it's worked well, Admittedly the attachments are getting a little difficult to join/detach, but no leaks or problems with the motor.

People like to bad mouth Karcher just like people like to tell you Apple products are rubbish or Dyson, just because they are the brand leaders or near the top of the food chain some people take a dislike to them even though they have never owned one or because of 1 bad experience. I'm not saying these brands are better than any of the others but they are certainly no worse. 

 

I have had 2 Karchers of the same model, both one of the higher specced ones. The first was the air cooled one that seemed to be built better but it got stolen, the second one I have now has a built in hose reel which is useful but they have made the casing look too tacky. It also boasts the water cooled motor to improve longevity but it reality this is just a gimmick and means the plastic water jacket around the motor is prone to damage if you don't protect it from the frost.

 

I always blow all the water out with an air line in winter.

 

If you do get it from Argos your in the best position, out of all the high street retailers Argos is the easiest to return things to, at least in my experience

This is the one for me. Brilliant bit-o-kit.

 

http://www.diy.com/departments/bosch-aqt-37-13-home-car-pressure-washer-130-bar/1043730_BQ.prd

This is the one for me. Brilliant bit-o-kit.

http://www.diy.com/departments/bosch-aqt-37-13-home-car-pressure-washer-130-bar/1043730_BQ.prd

Looks good spec and the price is very competitive! How long have you run this?

Looks good spec and the price is very competitive! How long have you run this?

Just under a year and used every week or so. My previous one was also a Bosch and lasted me over 4 years of the same use.

I dont think you'll go wrong with it.

You're probably not an old git like me but if you were you'd get 10% off that price on a Wednesday!

That Bosch model is available at argos for £79.99. Seems alright but flow rate appears quite low and I'm sure I read somewhere a chap who couldn't source a foam lance compatible with that model. Unless of course, someone can tell me otherwise.

I've got a Karcher K4 Compact (Water Cooled) and I'm very pleased with it.

I bought a Nilfisk C110 last month - https://www.cleanstore.co.uk/products/Product.asp?ID=7424 and for £70 i've been might impressed. I was all for buying a Karcher, but i'm glad I listened to the advice I read on here and other forums that Nilfisk are generally better.

 

I wouldn't be put off, sometimes bad eggs slip through the net. Plus having an outdoor tap and pressure washer has revoloutionised my life! If it's stays still for longer than in a minute at my house, it get's jet washed lol!

That seems a good deal mate. I was thinking of this or do you think that's a tad overkill?

http://www.screwfix.com/p/nilfisk-compact-c-130-2-8-pccar-130bar-pressure-washer-1-8kw-230v/6948j

Too much choice!

That Bosch model is available at argos for £79.99. Seems alright but flow rate appears quite low and I'm sure I read somewhere a chap who couldn't source a foam lance compatible with that model. Unless of course, someone can tell me otherwise.

I have  a snow-foam lance for this. You just need the correct adaptor.

That seems a good deal mate. I was thinking of this or do you think that's a tad overkill?

http://www.screwfix.com/p/nilfisk-compact-c-130-2-8-pccar-130bar-pressure-washer-1-8kw-230v/6948j

Too much choice!

 

Too much choice indeed! That does seem like a good deal, I guess it all depends on how much washing you're going to be doing? My little C110 is powerfull enough for muddy bikes, cars and patios. So in my opinion, anything else could be seen as overkill for a home environment.

We got a Nilfisk Alto Neptune 4 in work and it's been flawless ever since we brought it.

Both my mum and my uncle have had cheap Karchers in the past but had to return them due to being faulty.

Update:

Still shopping around and am going to give nilfisk another try. Thinking of getting the C130 although the C110 as a minimum seems to be the common choice and well under half as much?

Spoke to a chap at autobrite and he said he'd go away, crunch some numbers then ring back same day with apparently, a really good price. It's for the C130, 5lt magifoam and the HD lance. However, that combo exists on their site at £235. Seems steep to me as the stand alone C130 is £170 so your paying £65 for the lance and snow foam. Is that competitive?

Funny thing is, he hasn't rang back and we spoke on Tuesday :/

Update:

Still shopping around and am going to give nilfisk another try. Thinking of getting the C130 although the C110 as a minimum seems to be the common choice and well under half as much?

Spoke to a chap at autobrite and he said he'd go away, crunch some numbers then ring back same day with apparently, a really good price. It's for the C130, 5lt magifoam and the HD lance. However, that combo exists on their site at £235. Seems steep to me as the stand alone C130 is £170 so your paying £65 for the lance and snow foam. Is that competitive?

Funny thing is, he hasn't rang back and we spoke on Tuesday :/

 

I'd just get a C110 and enjoy the money i'd saved. You can get an aftermarket snow foam lance (the one you get with the C110 isn't horrendous) for under £40.

 

Your money, your choice!

I ended up ordering the C130. Picking it up tomorrow. Any advice on some decent snow foam and a lance? Are there are deals out there?

Take a look at this: -

 

https://www.signaturecarcare.co.uk/collections/frontpage/products/pa-foam-lance-1-litre-snow-foam-bundle

 

50% off if you use the code "MRJWW" at check out in the next couple of days.