Big Brand names who are worth the money and deliver great quality products?

8-10 wrote: »

This isn't a big brand or anything, but the absolute best quality item I've bought in years is the Anker Soundcore Bluetooth speaker

The battery life is ridiculous which is what you want for a portable, and the sound is really good.

Also le Creuset cookware. Biggest brand in cast iron but they last multiple lifetimes and look great. Quality cookware is worth the investment and if you're spending a lot you need the best

Speaking of which, I'm on the lookout for quality chefs knives if anyone has any recommendations

Yeah can agree with all of this. I got that Anker speaker off Bargain Alerts, think it was something stupid like 15 euro and wasnt expecting much but it packs some sound for the price.

Le Creuset kitchenware is bullet proof, in France they pass it from generation to generation as their cast iron pans will last 100+ years so long as you look after them and season them when needed. Huge prices for them brand new but I got two used on ebay for 60 euro, have had them about 10 years now and going strong.

On knives I bought a full set of Wushof a coupe of years back from Adverts for 120. Knife sharpening tool is included so ran them through that and they were as good as new. A lot of chefs use them.

Another product I have that is bulletproof is an almost 20 year old Dualit toaster (the catering version) that does excellent toasted sandwiches too, exactly like the toasties you get in a pub. Every part in them is replaceable with Youtube vids on how to do it. Have replaced one element in that time and it only cost 8 euro. They're up to 200 brand new but used models on ebay are much cheaper and will still last. They're made of chrome and with some metal polish you can get even really old ones to shine up well.

8-10 wrote: »

Yes they are expensive if you dont inherit them or get an wedding gifts!

But you can get them on sale every now and again and build up over time. Their Irish store has a sale right now and you can get a decent size casserole dish for a bit more than €100 and a large one for €200

It's personal preference obviously but you won't ever have to replace one.

In the spirit of the thread, they are the biggest brand in what they do, but they are also top quality.

In my view it's value for money as I dislike the general 'disposability' of modern consumer products. If you know you're going to have to replace something at some stage you accept lesser quality. Then the reasons for spending more money on something that's disposable or not of lasting quality change to spending more just because of the brand name, status or gimmick.

Not saying there aren't more affordable brands than le crueset of the same quality, there very well may be.

Couldn't agree more. I have something similar to the below set that I got from my mum, who in turn got it from my granny. It's several years older than me and still looks pretty much new. The quality is astounding.



https://www.lecreuset.com/8-piece-cast-iron-set

8-10 wrote: »

Best place to buy in Ireland?

I've bought a few from Sweeney O'Rourke Ltd in Dublin city centre.

BMW
Bought an 11 year old 320d touring with 159 000 miles on it. I drove it for 6 years up to over 230 000 miles. Gave very little trouble, was economical and pretty quick, handled well and looked great. Engine was still in great shape when I gave it up.

I now have a 15 year old model that I bought with 57 000 km on it. It drives like a new car.

Why is there so much hate for these cars?
There's fantastic value in older BMWs

Rega turntables.

I've robbed my dad's one. It's from the early 80's and they're still producing almost an identical unit today.
Beautiful to operate and simple.

the beer revolu wrote: »

BMW
Bought an 11 year old 320d touring with 159 000 miles on it. I drove it for 6 years up to over 230 000 miles. Gave very little trouble, was economical and pretty quick, handled well and looked great. Engine was still in great shape when I gave it up.

I now have a 15 year old model that I bought with 57 000 km on it. It drives like a new car.

Why is there so much hate for these cars?
There's fantastic value in older BMWs

Do you think the newer BMWs would be as well built and last just the same?

Have Honda got a mention yet?

the beer revolu wrote: »

BMW
Bought an 11 year old 320d touring with 159 000 miles on it. I drove it for 6 years up to over 230 000 miles. Gave very little trouble, was economical and pretty quick, handled well and looked great. Engine was still in great shape when I gave it up.

I now have a 15 year old model that I bought with 57 000 km on it. It drives like a new car.

Why is there so much hate for these cars?
There's fantastic value in older BMWs

Wife bought a brand new 520 d in 2007. After 3 weeks the flywheel went on it. After 4 years and 50k miles the flywheel went again...with the clutch....and the turbo. 5 and a half thousand to repair. After weeks of back and forth BMW covered 4,400 and we paid the rest.
It constantly blew bulbs...I mean every 3rd or 4th day it needed a bulb. The tailgate worked intermittently then stopped completely. The flat tyre sensors used to beep to say there was a flat wheel....there wasn't.

It was the greatest heap of scrap we ever owned. It was stolen after our house was broken into. We joked that it was probably only a mile away because it would have broken down.

Check out the "timing chain issues on the N47 bmw diesel engine".

Entire engine has to come out to access the chain which is a weak part. BMW tried to keep this quiet but eventually had to admit liability and compensate owners for the cost.

Never again would I have one on the drive.

Zippo lighters are brilliant.

I'm not sure if it was mentioned before but I think it Barrys tea is worth the money.

Kellogg's Corn Flakes.
Bosch.
Hilti.
Have a Kenwood Chef from the 70s, still going.

Kintarō Hattori wrote: »

I'll chip in here with a relatively new brand and say the InstantPot. Seems well made, lots of resources, accessories and genuine parts available for it. I can see it lasting a long time i our house.

Yeah the Instant Pot is great. Its the ultimate in lazy cooking, when I get in late I just put in some frozen fish fillets, broccoli and peas in it, add water, select the steam function and 12 mins later dinner is ready with zero effort from myself. Its great for soups and stews and what used to take 8 hours in a slow cooker now takes an hour in a pressure cooker. For 60 quid its been a fantastic piece of kit.

CrankyHaus wrote: »

They seem to be a respected major presence in diverse markets like motorcycles and musical instruments.

Have an old Yamaha motorbike and its pretty bullet proof and built like a tank. In the last 5 years its cost me the sum total of 250 euro in replacement parts, aside from servicing thats all I've paid to maintain it.

Lurching wrote: »

Rega turntables.

I've robbed my dad's one. It's from the early 80's and they're still producing almost an identical unit today.
Beautiful to operate and simple.

Technics SL1210... 25 years and still spinning strong!

fryup wrote: »

Briggs & Stratton lawnmower engines - last forever

Agreed, My last lawnmower(~16 years old stored in damp/leaky shed ), the engine fell through the rusted body, engine still worked though

Commodore Amiga - My A1200 from October '92 still going strong

Farrow & Ball

Phillips air fyers.
Great job , just a bitch to clean if you don't keep on top of it.
Well worth the money

Trigger Happy wrote: »

Screwpull.
I write this with limited experience as I have only ever bought one of their products. A wine bottle opener. Have had it 15 years now and it is still going strong. And it gets a lot of use!

It's like this one.
Expensive but pure quality.

I just smash the top off a park bench.