I've reluctantly purchased the LEO to replace the Miele De Luxe 401Si purchased in 1996. The reluctance is based on the following annoyances-
. The 401S1 always ran hot
. The 401Si died due to failure of the fan bearing after about 3,000 hours of operation in the course of 13+ years. Miele's fan bearing is an unsealed ball bearing (made in Singapore) pressed onto the front of the motor armature shaft. The motor and fan assembly was manufactured in the USA by Lamb / Ametek (Part Nr. 117923-23).
. After many hours of research and a $200 expenditure, I was unable to locate an appropriate replacement assembly. A vendor from Valley Stream, NY claimed to have a 117923-23 but sent me a $100 Lamb #115923 (assembled in Mexico).
. Like most "German" companies, Miele generally has the attitude that only 'expert technicians' should repair their machines and is not particularly helpful making replacement parts and exploded diagrams available to the masses.
. It appears that by the time components are due to fail, replacement parts have become unavailable.
. Miele's penchant for discontinuing models and introducing new models with little or no published parts or accessory backwards compatibility is not consumer friendly.
Notwithstanding the above, the 401Si was relatively powerful and quiet compared to my Porter Cable shopvac. Hopefully the S5381 Leo will perform as well or better and my investment in accessories for the 401Si will be largely applicable on the new machine. Get more detail about Miele S5381 Leo Caniser Vacuum Cleaner plus SEB217-3 Power Head.
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