Got the IFB executive plus. Loved it ever since. I have used two other front loading machines in the past and my observations have been the following:
noisy during the spin cycle. Yeah yeah! Even after levelling correctly
detergent and water usage is high. Almost as much as a top loading machine
Clothes getting crinkly in a hot wash program
Clothes not completely rinsed. Especially large sheets and blankets
The Executive plus is better in all these respects because it is relatively quieter in operation. It uses less detergent. And I have measured the quantity and got the better results with less detergent.
The hot wash programs only wash. The rinsing is always in cold water. And this machine really rinses. It has an option called water-plus that uses more water for rinsing. Really good. Its programs are so well defined that it does not allow hot wash for some programs. It also has a spin-cancel option that prevents spinning in softer fabrics.
Other features that I have found useful are:
Spin only program for clothes that I might bucket wash. I normally use it on a mixed load that is just too soiled. Like socks, napkins, cleaning clothes etc. that I wash in a strong detergent and then spin dry separately. The 800RPM helps here.
Water pump-out program that pumps out the used water collected in the machine.
Short easy care programs for woollens. These programs do not spin and advise against use of hot water. Ofcourse, you must read the manual and follow instructions.
Softener dispenser for woollens. It can be used for dispensing blue but I prefer to d that sepaately. Not in the machine.
Pre-wash soaking facility. If I want better soaking, I switch off the machine for some time after the water has filled well.
Emergency water drainer. Though it is located so low that I have to use a really flat vessel. Time consuming to drain water that way.
Advice for people planning to buy a washing machine:
From experience. You really do not need more than 60 deg. C unless you have to use the machine in an area that requires constant sanitization of your linen. Like a hospital or hostel.
You do not need more than the basic programs i.e. cotton wash and easy wash for soft fabrics
You do not need more than 600RPM. For soft fabrics, just do not spin. If you want better drying then get a dryer. Clothes just get bad with too much spinning.
You should check for dry-tap protection because the machine gets damaged if run dry. You must also have a rat mesh to prevent not rats but insects from entering the machine. They are the real nuisance because they die in the water and clog the drain pipes.
You will do better to by a jog dial machine. If the dial gets bad, it costs less to replace. On a feather touch panel, a single problem requires the entire PCB of the panel to be replaced. Costs a bomb. This applies to all appliances, not just washing machines.
You get better results by using a detergent meant for washing machines.