[Sankar]

Originally Posted by a4anurag

Issues: So do you recommend this model or do I go for the Bosch? I don't want to put my money on it even after knowing there is an issue. BTW, what price did you get the Bosch at? Will check the price for this model at Metro when I visit (The sales guy was pushing me to buy the Bosch though).

Anurag.

Karcher makes good pumps, but in TVM they do not have proper service backup like the Bosch. So didn't want to buy the Karcher with a leak issue and sketchy service backup.

Another option you have is look at the next higher model in their line-up and find out if it has any reported issues. If none then go for that. I suggest if you do go for Karcher find out if they have proper service support at your place.

I got the Bosch Aquatak 150 for rs.28000/- with bill from a a Bosch power tools dealer in the last quarter of 2012. It was a steal considering the online prices at that time were in the range of 38-40K and the MRP on the box was still higher. I use this for car washing and general cleaning around the house. For car washing i use the adjustable lance and for cleaning moss and dirt around the house i use rotonozzle. haven't bought any other lances for cleaning the car.

Mine is the third one from the top in the link below.
http://www.boschindia.com/content/la.../html/7128.htm

Edit: I upgraded to Bosch Aquatak 150 from their entry level line up Aquatak 100. Aquatak 100 wasn't strong enough to use around the house and had a lower duty cycle.

[scopriobharath]

Originally Posted by a4anurag

Was just walking through Metro where I came across Karcher 3.550 retailing at 15K whereas online price for this was approximately 19K (on snapdeal).

Now I have a couple of doubts before I put the cash down:

1) Is there any specific requirement like the inlet tap height should be more than the pressure washer inlet point? (Attaching a picture of the tap to. Sorry for the quality of the picture)

2) What are the standard equipments that come and what are needed extra that I need to purchase?

3) Is there a need to install a filter/mesh at the inlet of water on the tap?

Any issues of internal leakages for this washer?
The first rain generally is not pure enough as it brings down the impurities that are suspended in the air so once the first rain is done, there after it is pure.

1) 15K is a very good deal on Metro. Unfortunately it is not in stock in Mumbai Metro. No. The tap can be even below the machine. Since this unit sucks water from a stagnant source like bucket / pool height of tap is not a constraint.
2) You get a gun and two lances along with the main unit.
3) we need to install a Karcher adapater on the tap. It is recommender to add an additional karcher filter (Click here)

Yes there are issues of internal leakage reported, but they are far lesser than Bosch units reported for internal leakage. Clearly Karcher is better.

Originally Posted by a4anurag

Thanks for the reply

1. Yes the overhead tank is at a higher level.

2. Accessories in the foam gun or equipments for cleaning that are required or the standard accessories are sufficient for an average usage?

3. The details about this model does say it has an inbuilt mesh from factory but I want it just in case.

Issues: So do you recommend this model or do I go for the Bosch? I don't want to put my money on it even after knowing there is an issue. BTW, what price did you get the Bosch at? Will check the price for this model at Metro when I visit (The sales guy was pushing me to buy the Bosch though).

1) not an issue since the machine can suck from a pucket or pool.
2) Foam gun is recommended to snow-foam or snow-shampoo your car. IT is 1000/- only, so recommended. The general lance is sufficient to clean the car.

To clean the patio, please buy the patio cleaner. If the concrete area is small, the pencil jet lance will do good. I dont think we need any more accessories. I personally love the underbody cleaner, but it is 12K.

3) It has inbuilt mesh, but i recommend the filter above as indian water is mostly polluted with particles.

Overall - go ahead and buy it - you will need it for your Mobilio

[rm_arjuna]

Originally Posted by a4anurag

Was just walking through Metro where I came across Karcher 3.550 retailing at 15K whereas online price for this was approximately 19K (on snapdeal).

I bought mine for 12k a year and half before at Metro, pls note this model has a 15amp plug ,so you need to factor addl heavyduty wiring and plug to take the load . Service center is located at Diamond point incase if you need .

[Sankar]

Originally Posted by scopriobharath

Yes there are issues of internal leakage reported, but they are far lesser than Bosch units reported for internal leakage. Clearly Karcher is better.

Can you share some links of water leakage from the pumping unit? I'm using a Bosch so i just want to know whether i should be concerned.

[a4anurag]

Originally Posted by scopriobharath

1) not an issue since the machine can suck from a pucket or pool.

2) Foam gun is recommended to snow-foam or snow-shampoo your car. IT is 1000/- only, so recommended. The general lance is sufficient to clean the car.

3) It has inbuilt mesh, but i recommend the filter above as indian water is mostly polluted with particles.

Overall - go ahead and buy it - you will need it for your Mobilio.

Lol. Mobilio and me! I am better off with my Swift ZDi. Thanks for your honesty opinion, will be buying going to Metro for shipping this weekend.

Originally Posted by rm_arjuna

I bought mine for 12k a year and half before at Metro, pls note this model has a 15amp plug, so you need to factor addl heavyduty wiring and plug to take the load. Service center is located at Diamond point incase if you need .

Thanks buddy, I guess the Diamond point one is their Authorised one. Right?!

Any issues will get in touch with you since you have used it anyway.

Anurag.

[sagarpadaki]

Originally Posted by thoma

IMO, it is not about the issues if your usage is limited to one car. Almost all pressure washers under 20k will not clean your car fully, they are useful to dislodge bigger sand/mud/muck/whatever particles before a shampoo wash. A layer of fine dirt will still be present which you will have to agitate with hand. Of course, they may save some water and give you clean wheel arches. And you inflict less scratches by dislodging bigger sand/mud/muck/whatever particles before a hand agitation.

Now people, those who swear by a pressure washer, do not torch me down; it is just my view from my experience that I'm sharing here. I wanted to bring down the labor by investing 15k but after buying one, I realized that a 5k machine does the same.

Completely agree with you on every point you have mentioned. However at least for the wheels to be cleaned properly a pressure washer will do a better job than a normal hose pipe based pressure wash.

I have been using pressure washer for nearly 5 years now. And as you said it's best used to dislodge top layer of dirt. The remaining has to be agitated by sold solution.

Also pressure washer does a better job of rinsing after a wash. But hey, commercial service center guys hardly bother about this part. It is this us detailer who are paranoid about this

[Amarendranath]

Originally Posted by a4anurag

Is there a need to install a filter/mesh at the inlet of water on the tap?

Originally Posted by Sankar

). Maybe the karcher comes with a small mesh filter at its inlet port like the bosch i have.

Originally Posted by thoma

Now people, those who swear by a pressure washer, do not torch me down; it is just my view from my experience that I'm sharing here. I wanted to bring down the labor by investing 15k but after buying one, I realized that a 5k machine does the same job. The difference between these machines are convenience, not the reduction in manual labor to agitate dirt all around.

Originally Posted by scopriobharath

we need to install a Karcher adapater on the tap. It is recommender to add an additional karcher filter (Click here)

3) It has inbuilt mesh, but i recommend the filter above as indian water is mostly polluted with particles.

Originally Posted by rm_arjuna

I bought mine for 12k a year and half before at Metro, pls note this model has a 15amp plug ,so you need to factor addl heavyduty wiring and plug to take the load . Service center is located at Diamond point incase if you need .

Originally Posted by Sankar

Karcher makes good pumps

Originally Posted by sagarpadaki

Also pressure washer does a better job of rinsing after a wash. It is this us detailer who are paranoid about this

Thank you guys for all your inputs! Anurag did manage to agitate the itch on investing in a Pressure Washer. Both of us bought one each. Karcher k3.550.

Now, we have a small issue. To our shock both our packages are missing the filter that was supposed to come along with the package. So what do we do about it now? I guess writing to karcher might be of some help but i am skeptical about the same. We bought it from Metro and they would be least bothered on this. Please let me know your thoughts and suggestions on how to proceed on this. Attaching the picture of the part that is missing, it has been mentioned on the packaging as a part of the standard equipment, but is missing.

[scopriobharath]

Originally Posted by Amarendranath

Now, we have a small issue. To our shock both our packages are missing the filter that was supposed to come along with the package. So what do we do about it now? I guess writing to karcher might be of some help but i am skeptical about the same. We bought it from Metro and they would be least bothered on this. Please let me know your thoughts and suggestions on how to proceed on this. Attaching the picture of the part that is missing, it has been mentioned on the packaging as a part of the standard equipment, but is missing.

I really sympathize with you. Day by Day the country is becoming a cheaters place.

Unfortunately this is India and neither Metro not Karcher would respond to this. I would suggest to go ahead and buy this by paying a few extra bucks. It is not worth fighting this battle as it would not go anywhere. You might get an apology mail at the very best. This is the state of customer laws in india. They favour the businessman only.

Don't bother. Just order it online and enjoy the product.

[a4anurag]

Originally Posted by scopriobharath

Don't bother. Just order it online and enjoy the product.

Yes this is the story as mentioned by Amarendranath. I have written a mail to Karcher regarding this missing part thing. May sound silly to them but I want to see how they respond. I was baffled on seeing such issue with such reputed brands.

Hope I get a positive reply on this. Shall keep you updated on what ever is the outcome.

Originally Posted by Amarendranath

Attaching the picture of the part that is missing, it has been mentioned on the packaging as a part of the standard equipment, but is missing.

Anurag.

[thoma]

Originally Posted by Amarendranath

Please let me know your thoughts and suggestions on how to proceed on this.

Originally Posted by scopriobharath

Unfortunately this is India and neither Metro not Karcher would respond to this.

Originally Posted by a4anurag

I have written a mail to Karcher regarding this missing part thing. May sound silly to them but I want to see how they respond.

Here is one experience with Karcher customer care.

I had got next day reply from the dealer for a sales inquiry to Karcher India, info@karcher.in. Usually, with many a brand, this does not happen. And these were the people the dealer kept in the loop while replying!

<tony.chazhoor@karcher.in>, <sunil.kapoor@karcher.in>,<ravi.ahuja@karcher.in >

Maybe you could keep these guys too updated. I don't know if they will let the customer know about a 'possible' silent discontinuation of the filter, but I hope you get a response since the item is clearly mentioned on the carton.

[a4anurag]

Originally Posted by thoma

Here is one experience with Karcher customer care.

<tony.chazhoor@karcher.in>, <sunil.kapoor@karcher.in>,<ravi.ahuja@karcher.in >

Maybe you could keep these guys too updated but I hope you get a response since the item is clearly mentioned on the carton.

Thank you for the additional email contacts to further escalate the matter. I have sent these 3 guys a mail in my issue. Let's see how they respond.

While browsing forums outside, a website had complaints regarding parts missing in box (This was somewhere in UK). I am a bit surprised now.

Anurag.

[Amarendranath]

Originally Posted by scopriobharath

Unfortunately this is India and neither Metro not Karcher would respond to this. I would suggest to go ahead and buy this by paying a few extra bucks. It is not worth fighting this battle as it would not go anywhere.

Originally Posted by thoma

I had got next day reply from the dealer for a sales inquiry to Karcher India, info@karcher.in. Usually, with many a brand, this does not happen. And these were the people the dealer kept in the loop while replying!

Originally Posted by a4anurag

Yes this is the story as mentioned by Amarendranath. I have written a mail to Karcher regarding this missing part thing. May sound silly to them but I want to see how they respond. I was baffled on seeing such issue with such reputed brands.

There seems to be some kind of positive response from them, so i'm hoping will get a proper reply on this. Meantime, can you please share the pricing of the Garden Adapter and the external filters? Not able to find them on the internet.

Originally Posted by a4anurag

Thank you for the additional email contacts to further escalate the matter. I have sent these 3 guys a mail in my issue. Let's see how they respond

Thank you all once again for such quick responses. But, here's a funny story. Was having a chat with a colleague and he says that the filter pictured is not missing and is pre-installed inside the water inlet. My reaction after he said that was this so i guess nothing from Karcher's side. Anurag buddy do check if your inlet already has a filter inside. Guys can you confirm this? i will have a look once i get back home.

[thoma]

Originally Posted by Amarendranath

Was having a chat with a colleague and he says that the filter pictured is not missing and is pre-installed inside the water inlet. My reaction after he said that was this so i guess nothing from Karcher's side. Anurag buddy do check if your inlet already has a filter inside. Guys can you confirm this? i will have a look once i get back home.

This was the first thought that came to my mind, but since mine is the 3.500, it does not have a filter at all, I was not sure of where I read it. Then I thought two BHPians couldn't get the same thing wrong at the same time.

3.550 owners need to confirm this.

[Amarendranath]

Originally Posted by thoma

This was the first thought that came to my mind, but since mine is the 3.500, it does not have a filter at all, I was not sure of where I read it. Then I thought two BHPians couldn't get the same thing wrong at the same time.

Both of us are very new to this. No idea on the washers. Also the initial responses were skeptical. Who knew standard equipment would come like this and already fitted. Over the years bought vacuum cleaners and many other house hold and never faced such a situation with those. And yes even i did read on karcher site that k3.500 does not have a filter and opted for k3.550 and hence got stupefied when i couldn't find it in the box. I was thinking it had to be fitted outside the inlet hose provided.

[Sankar]

Originally Posted by scopriobharath

Yes there are issues of internal leakage reported, but they are far lesser than Bosch units reported for internal leakage. Clearly Karcher is better.

Originally Posted by Sankar

Can you share some links of water leakage from the pumping unit? I'm using a Bosch so i just want to know whether i should be concerned.

I have used both Aquatak 100 (2 years and given to a friend who is still using it) and Aquatak 150 (1.5 years and inuse) both didn't leak and i use it twice every month and neither the 100 nor the 150 use any plastic connectors (one source of leak due to cracking as per web reports) on the high pressure side like the Karcher and neither is the motor water cooled (another source of leak on 3.550 but on low pressure side).

K 3.550

Aquatak 100

Aquatak 150 (the pic is of my unit)


I would like to know if that was mentioned just for the sake to establish Karcher as a better brand or if there is actual reports of Bosch unit leaking. So if you do come across any Bosch unit leaking from the pump please do share it here.