Thread Number: 19387
Miele Quickstep
[Down to Last]

Vacuumland's exclusive eBay Watch:
scroll >>> for more items --- [As an eBay Partner, eBay may compensate vacuumland.org if you make a purchase using any link to eBay on this page]
Post# 214814   1/19/2013 at 14:17 (4,085 days old) by cue003 (S. FL, USA. )        

In sesrching on this site I don't see really any mention about the miele S194 Quickstep. Is it a bad vacuum? It seems like it is trying to ride the line between full size and quick cleanup but the bags appear "small". Any thoughts/feedback? I read t works with the 236PN and other PN's so I would assume it cleans well.

Thanks


Post# 214815 , Reply# 1   1/19/2013 at 14:26 (4,085 days old) by mieles7 (TX)        

mieles7's profile picture
Just look up "Miele stick vac" into the forum search. Tons of people love it!

Post# 214823 , Reply# 2   1/19/2013 at 16:03 (4,085 days old) by TheHooverMan (United States )        

thehooverman's profile picture
Post# 214832 , Reply# 3   1/19/2013 at 17:37 (4,085 days old) by cue003 (S. FL, USA. )        

Thanks for the tip on the search..

@thehooverman, that link sends me to the miele website. I am fully aware of the manufacture information of the miele quickstep. I was looking for some actual usage and feedback from many of the informed people on this site who are avid users and collectors.

Thanks.


Post# 214864 , Reply# 4   1/19/2013 at 20:29 (4,085 days old) by sebo_fan (Scotland, UK, member AKA ukvacfan, & Nar2)        

sebo_fan's profile picture
Curtis...

Here's my review, though its honest, its probably not going to be the one you want to read!

I was given one a few years afterwards and to be honest, although it it a great vintage model to have, I don't particularly think its lightweight enough to use everyday. It is a quality model in so far as build quality, but I invested in new dust bags just before Christmas hoping that Miele would have put the same kind of sealage cap as they have done with their HyClean dust bags on their bigger models. Sadly not. Sometimes, dust can come out of the "bottom fill" dust bag, despite the secondary rubberised "coin sized" dust door that sits in the inner dust channel before the bag.


CLICK HERE TO GO TO sebo_fan's LINK


Post# 214866 , Reply# 5   1/19/2013 at 20:36 (4,085 days old) by magic-clean (FL-GA)        
It is

a wonderfully powered and quiet stick vacuum. I found it is never necessary to use the high motor speed. Low is more than sufficient.

Interestingly, the power cord is quite long, unlike Miele canisters. The combination floor - rug brush does a good job. However, threads and dust firmly affix themselves to the stiff bristles and are very hard to remove. (this is the only attachment I have as the cleaner is used exclusively for quick hard floor cleaning)The K" series dust bags work well and hold quite a bit.....no need for the HEPA filter as the "air-clean" pad included with the bags is more than good enough.

The most significant annoyance with this cleaner is the lack of some sort of "kickstand". Even when carefully rested against a wall/door jamb, it tends to tip over with a crash. The rubber hand hold is supposed to grip whatever it rests against and alleviate this, but it really is unreliable. Laying it down on the floor is the safest way to take a break. Miele should develop some sort of on-board easily deployed support.

Hope this helps!


Post# 214875 , Reply# 6   1/19/2013 at 21:55 (4,085 days old) by lunchboxsean ()        
Awesome

The Quickstep is a spectacular machine. More powerful than many uprights and quieter than just about anything else I've ever seen. Super versatile with the wand setup choices and the ability to use any Miele PN. This is actually good enough to replace an upright in many situations, in my opinion. It's that darn good. Problems? The actual handle itself, believe it or not, feels cheap and flimsy to me. Also, it's $299 with no PN and the PN is another $100 by itself. For that money you could get the S7280 Twist and have a real, live, top quality upright. I think the biggest problem for this one is the price, easily. There's my experience.

Post# 214915 , Reply# 7   1/20/2013 at 09:01 (4,084 days old) by cue003 (S. FL, USA. )        

Thanks for the replies.

@lunchboxsean, I am thinking of maybe getting a miele canister as well so that will have a PN that could be used on the Quickstep s194.

I would use for quick clean ups and daily passes to remove the dust bunnies. I am not a big fan of breaking out the dustpan and broom. I would much rather vacuum.

I figure 1 would maybe go thru a bag a month (I might be way off here).... So 12 per year and I think they come in a 5 pack.



Post# 214929 , Reply# 8   1/20/2013 at 11:52 (4,084 days old) by whirlpolf ()        
a good piece of our tradition

Leslie,


the weight is due to the development of the vacuum market here (and your Quickstep is just a 110v version of the regular Miele stick vac back then here).

From the 50s to 80s/90s, the stick vacs here were full counterparts of canister vacuums (the wattage being just slightly lower than in hose-type machines as there are no hoses and the path down to the nozzle is shorter anyway.)

Only with the advent of the Black&Decker "Dustbuster" and all its different imitations (read: starting from the DC rechargeable battery age) they became smaller and more lightweight.

That's why.

Today's stick-vacs in Germany are either a longer handvac (or a 2 in 1 combo) or you get them with a very small and high-speed corded motor. I don't consider these full-fledged vacuums anymore, unlike your machine. You are better of with this one than with any of the current models

The model you have is the 4th generation grandson of the "Mielette" stick vac of the 60s.
Although it is very similar to the BSH (Bosch-Siemens) type of that age, it still has a lot of features of its own and it is not a rebadged product. It is a Miele).

Bags: Due to its strong suction, the full bags will be choc-a-bloc.
No need to buy an excess stash of filter bags.

Hope this helps.
Joe


Post# 214932 , Reply# 9   1/20/2013 at 12:06 (4,084 days old) by lunchboxsean ()        

Yeah, you won't go through bags that fast. Maybe half that fast, unless you have a mansion with lots of kids, etc.

Post# 214975 , Reply# 10   1/20/2013 at 16:09 (4,084 days old) by sbakerde (Millsboro, DE )        
my customers love them

I sell the Miele line and many of customers just rave about the Miele quickstep. I have a good half a dozen who have central vac for the thorough whole cleaning but also have a quickstep for every day maintenance. I have only played with the machine myself and it is a nicely built solid unit. Perhaps I too should have one since my whole house is wood floor and I will be installing central vac.

Post# 214976 , Reply# 11   1/20/2013 at 16:10 (4,084 days old) by cue003 (S. FL, USA. )        

No mansion here. Just 1800 square feet... More like 1500 square feet if I don't count the multiple 8x10 area rugs.

Good to know the bags should last longer. The house doesn't get that messy anyway so after rethinking it I bet one box of bags would last me a year.

The closest "competitor" seems to be the Sebo Felix. Is that right. The sebo looks bigger in pictures and comes with more attachments.

@whirlpolf, thanks for the insight on the background of the miele stick vac. Interesting stuff.

With each response I become more eager to learn what else is out there and what options are available to me. Who knew the world of vacuums could be so interesting. I would honestly say I was one of the normal consumers who thought that they are basically all the same. Not anymore. I am learning quickly. I soak it up like a sponge. :)



Post# 215009 , Reply# 12   1/20/2013 at 20:01 (4,084 days old) by sebo_fan (Scotland, UK, member AKA ukvacfan, & Nar2)        

sebo_fan's profile picture
Ive never had a full bag in my Miele stick vac yet and I've owned it for a few good years. Infact when I come to think about it, it only required a new box of bags because in the last FIVE years it has only been used once upon a blue moon!

As others have noted, I do like the longer cord that has been added to it. It is no way a rival to SEBO's Felix though which is a far heavier, more substantial unit with better versatility at the time of cleaning.. one of the reasons to why the Felix has a PN as standard compared to the "Kombi" units where upon certain markets only apply, some Felix models only come with a suction only 2 way pedal floor head.

The Quick Step/Miele stick vac is a good idea if you require an upright stick vac just to do hard floors and ocassional soft rugs, but I find using my older Electrolux Superlite to be a far more capable unit and one that doesn't involve so much time or effort.

You can use the small cleaning tools supplied too, but I find it a struggle to use the main body of the machine as a large hand held - certainly isn't as light as using a Dirt Devil Handy dust buster with a motorised brush roll on stairs or as small. The SEBO Felix is exactly the same. Miele and SEBO both like to compete with other brands and it is most obvious through the years that both German companies wanted to make a product that could possibly steer buyers away from the likes of Vorwerk.

However, my main gripe with the Miele is the weight of the thing! A Miele S2 or older S4 is far more versatile as well as having a larger dust bag capacity. When it comes to actual cleaning beyond carpet or hard floor cleaning, I have to take off the main handle, then the spine in which the cord usually gets connected to, allow that to drop to the floor, store the handle somewhere or the pipe where the handle is connected to, choose a tool, jam it on the end and then try and get into areas to use the machine. The Miele stick vac by its body alone is quite heavy due to its build, and certainly isn't as light to lift when cleaning high up - compared to Miele's cylinder/canister vacs with their far lighter hoses and to a point, the twin piece telescopic tubes.

To get under beds is quite novel though - Miele suggest that apart from the conventional method of just swerving the upright left or right and downwards to clean under low furnitures at angles, you can swap over the main pipe at the top that normally acts as the secondary part between the handle and the main body. Here is where the top pipe instantly serves up as long tapered suction channel between the main floor head and the bottom of the machine. I've only tried this a couple of times though as I end up having to using the main plastic handle locked into the top of the machine for better steerage as opposed to resting my hand on the main carry handle of the body to get the machine under beds.

With pets, the Super Air clean filter isn't a good filter to rely on - I find the AAC version far better as it is purpose made. Overall I think the stick vac in the UK could have been made better had it featured Miele's PN, rather than the standard floor head, and the one that came with mine is made for this stick vac and lacks the park position normally equipped for the canister vacs.

When all things considered though, the Miele stick vac is alright at what it promises - but I much prefer the more modern canister units - as previously mentioned, even the older S4000/Carina units are far lighter and easier to manage - plus over time you can get a far wider range of spares and a far lighter cleaning experience that is also more powerful, faster and ultimately gets through the process of cleaning. Evidently for those markets that still sell the stick upright, Miele purposefully fit their canisters with shorter length of cords for the upright to sneak in as an alternative purchase.





This post was last edited 01/20/2013 at 23:14
Post# 215234 , Reply# 13   1/21/2013 at 22:26 (4,083 days old) by cue003 (S. FL, USA. )        

@Sebo_fan, you were spot on with your info.

I went to the Miele showroom to get a solid look at the Quickstep. Heavier than expected but my biggest gripe is the lac of ability to stand on its own. That is truly frustrating. And as sebo_fan pointed out it will not be easy to move the peaches around to get under a bed etc. not comfy for overhead use either. A hose attachment would be sweet if it existed. Even aftermarket hose accessory that is 6ft or even longer would be great.


Post# 215248 , Reply# 14   1/22/2013 at 02:59 (4,083 days old) by MikeKLondon ()        
Miele UK

We had this model here a long time ago I do wish I could get a new one now I lent mine to someone and never got it back

Post# 215253 , Reply# 15   1/22/2013 at 05:35 (4,083 days old) by sebo_fan (Scotland, UK, member AKA ukvacfan, & Nar2)        

sebo_fan's profile picture
Thanks Cue. I guess its one of those machines that forms part of any collection by an enthusiast, but IMHO seldom gets used.

If I consider selling mine Mike, you'll be the first to know.

UPDATE - Have just emailed you.




This post was last edited 01/22/2013 at 05:56
Post# 215272 , Reply# 16   1/22/2013 at 08:28 (4,083 days old) by cue003 (S. FL, USA. )        

@sebo_fan, I didn't see your email come through. I checked the spam folder as well and didn't see it. Can you resend it? Thanks.

Post# 215302 , Reply# 17   1/22/2013 at 11:37 (4,082 days old) by cue003 (S. FL, USA. )        

It almost makes more sense to spend a little more and get a Miele Olympus. Sure wont be a quick and easy but would be more versatile.

Post# 215361 , Reply# 18   1/22/2013 at 19:25 (4,082 days old) by pr-21 (Middletown, OH)        
It will stand on its own....

pr-21's profile picture

If you purchase the SEB236 power nozzle, I had an earlier model.

 

 

PR-21


Post# 215395 , Reply# 19   1/22/2013 at 22:01 (4,082 days old) by sebo_fan (Scotland, UK, member AKA ukvacfan, & Nar2)        

sebo_fan's profile picture
cue - Im referring to Mike London for email, sorry.

Post# 218149 , Reply# 20   2/8/2013 at 10:58 (4,065 days old) by cue003 (S. FL, USA. )        

Just an update... The Quickstep S194 is great. No major complaints at all...except for those already mentioned... the lack of standing upright is my main one. The nozzle that comes with the quickstep is nice but it would be a better package if it came with the 217 for carpets and the Twister for bare floors. I am thinking about getting an extra twister brush to dedicate to the Quickstep for upstairs duty.

I did find a nice hole on the underside of the handle that is used to "hang" the quickstep. It works nicely. I use a "S" type hook in the hall closet and hang it up.

Around the house use is great. picks up most everything on the low setting. Doesn't quite lay flat in the default configuration... you need to move the components around for that but then it gets a little heavy on the wrist after a while.

If I didn't get the Quickstep S194 and Miele Marin with 236 PN combo..... I would have bought a Sebo D4 and Felix combo for downstairs and upstairs duty.

:)


Post# 218181 , Reply# 21   2/8/2013 at 18:37 (4,065 days old) by pr-21 (Middletown, OH)        
Your SEB 236.....

pr-21's profile picture
Will fit your QuickStep. Then it would stand up....However for hard surface the SEB 236 would not be as good as a horse hair floor brush.


PR-21


Post# 218265 , Reply# 22   2/9/2013 at 07:15 (4,065 days old) by sebo_fan (Scotland, UK, member AKA ukvacfan, & Nar2)        

sebo_fan's profile picture
Oh well, good luck with it! The original floor head that came with mine is a suction only floor head and unique to the model - it features no slide on park bit at the back of the neck and a metal soleplate on the underside.

Post# 220812 , Reply# 23   2/25/2013 at 21:06 (4,048 days old) by cue003 (S. FL, USA. )        

Does anyone know if the Sebo Felix stand on its own with the floor brush attached? I know it does if you use the ET-1 power head but wondering if it does with the Sebo Kombi head.

Post# 220817 , Reply# 24   2/25/2013 at 21:16 (4,048 days old) by sebo_fan (Scotland, UK, member AKA ukvacfan, & Nar2)        

sebo_fan's profile picture
Nope, it isn't supposed to stand on its own with the Kombi head or the Parquet brush head attached - there's a rubber nib on the back of the handle designed for the Felix to sit against a wall, hence why Germany and other countries have the Felix Kombi vacuums that just feature that floor head alone (and being rather cheaper to buy as a result). I rather like the Kombi floor head - its great for being able to get under low furniture "straight" instead of having to go sideways with a conventional canister derived floor head.

Post# 220821 , Reply# 25   2/25/2013 at 21:34 (4,048 days old) by cue003 (S. FL, USA. )        

Thanks Ryan for the reply. I like the lay flat while "straight" approach. Are you able to maneuver the floor tool sideways to get into narrow spaces like the Miele Twister floor head?

Post# 220866 , Reply# 26   2/26/2013 at 09:26 (4,047 days old) by sebo_fan (Scotland, UK, member AKA ukvacfan, & Nar2)        

sebo_fan's profile picture
No. I enquired about that kind of floor head years ago. Wessel Werks makes it but SEBO felt that it wasn't as well made and another reason to why they have a triangular dust brush compared to Miele's round brush -can be used for getting into corners.

Hows life with the Quickstep going?


Post# 220884 , Reply# 27   2/26/2013 at 12:24 (4,047 days old) by cue003 (S. FL, USA. )        

Life with the quickstep is going better than expected. I have used it with the twister floor brush and even threw the 236 on there to do carpet. Worked superbly. Made me wish that the 236 had a foot option to stop the brush tool though. Would have came in handy for the quick off carpet sections instead of transitioning back and forth. The quickstep is more powerful than I expected. Some here called its glorified stick vac with small bag, but I find it to be fully capable across the board (providing your have the proper heads). And as for the small bag..... It maybe small to some but it is still larger than the Aerus Lux Platinum bags. :)

No one tool seems to be perfect at all times, they all just have varying degrees of tolerance.

But so far so good.

I do agree that a pointed dust brush would help more for when I am working above the floor with the full size canister.

So I. The end I am still happy with my purchase but I am still wondering (only sometimes) how it would be to live with the Felix instead of the quickstep.

Does the Felix have on-board tools or a place to store them?



Post# 220966 , Reply# 28   2/27/2013 at 08:31 (4,047 days old) by sebo_fan (Scotland, UK, member AKA ukvacfan, & Nar2)        

sebo_fan's profile picture
Yes the Felix has two spaces on a slide-able permanent height adjustable holder. It fixes to the spine via one crosshead screw but ingeniously is able to slide up and down dependent on the user's choices. Whilst it can accomodate the standard long crevice tool and T shaped flat upholstery tool, I don't often use the crevice tool and much prefer to use the T shaped tool with the larger stair mini turbo brush locked at the top. That's where it adds the weight all of a sudden!

The Miele should have a similar clip - mine does, or rather I had to re-order one which allows you to store two cleaning tools on board - crevice tool & flat T shaped upholstery tool. I have since used my Miele a couple of times, but I much prefer the heavier action of the more modern Felix - the built in hose, though short is perfect for me to clean around the kitchen worktops and SEBO also sell an additional permanently fixed clip for the Felix spine where effectively three tools can be added, but then limits the height movement of the original 2 part tool storer.



Forum Index:       Other Forums:                      



Comes to the Rescue!

Woops, Time to Check the Bag!!!
Either you need to change your vacuum bag or you forgot to LOG-IN?

Discuss-O-MAT Log-In



New Members
Click Here To Sign Up.



                     


automaticwasher.org home
Discuss-o-Mat Forums
Vintage Brochures, Service and Owners Manuals
Fun Vintage Washer Ephemera
See It Wash!
Video Downloads
Audio Downloads
Picture of the Day
Patent of the Day
Photos of our Collections
The Old Aberdeen Farm
Vintage Service Manuals
Vintage washer/dryer/dishwasher to sell?
Technical/service questions?
Looking for Parts?
Website related questions?
Digital Millennium Copyright Act Policy
Our Privacy Policy