20-year old whirlpool Kenmore or a 2018 Kenmore Elite-- which would you get?

[skewered]

Model Number

106.51262104

Brand

Sears Kenmore

Age

More than 10 years

Hi everyone here in the Kenmore section.
I just posted over in the LG section about a 2018 Kenmore Elite made by LG (model 795.51822.411) asking for opinions on LG fridges in general, since I haven't heard good.
So if anyone has anything to add to that I'd appreciate it.

But here I'd like to ask about Kenmore's refrigerators from 20 years ago, made by Whirlpool, because I also have the chance to pick one up that has a new compressor. Model is 106.51262104

In general, do you think that era of Kenmore refrigerators is well worth the investment long-term? It looks like you can still get parts for it. Just wondering if anyone has had a negative experience with that era that would say to avoid and maybe spring for the LG-made 2018 Kenmore instead.

Thanks !
SK

 

[jeff1]

Hi,

LG -

Whirlpool -

Thinking a 20 year old SxS refrigerator might last "long-term" -

I'd still go with the Whirlpool, but do remember it is 20 years old!

JMO!

jeff sr.

 

[skewered]

Thanks Jeff Sr. !

Now when you point out the 20-year age, are you thinking parts availability or something happening in the condenser coils or evaporator (a blockage that wouldn't be recoverable) ?

Reason I ask is that the LG-made Kenmore is only a few years old and so I would think parts would be available longer for it, but an appliance repairman thought that LG parts aren't that available sometimes even for new releases.

And the other reason I ask is: If a Whirlpool-made has made it 20 years with only needing a new compressor, then shouldn't it be in good shape to make it quite some time? I'm basically wondering about condenser/evap blockages and whether they tend to end a refrigerator's life or whether it's the parts availability that does that.

Thanks
SK

 

[jeff1]

Now when you point out the 20-year age, are you thinking parts availability or something happening in the condenser coils or evaporator

Without a crystal ball...who knows.
Things built 20 years ago where meant to last longer...but hoping to get 10 or 20 more years is unlikely....5 would be a more realistic amount of time. Compressor may be new but everything else is still 20 years old.

but an appliance repairman thought that LG parts aren't that available sometimes even for new releases.

So true.....and information can also be hard to come by.

jeff sr.

 

[skewered]

Let me ask this: How common are clogs on Whirlpool fridges from the 2000-era ? Or just how common are clogs in general? Reason I ask is that in the sealed system that would seem to be the biggest issue going forward with a 20-year old that has a new compressor.

It sounds like, if LG-made is lasting 5 to 8 years, and I'm unlikely to get much past 10 on the 20-year old Whirlpool, then it's basically a toss-up as to which will outperform.

Thanks for any other info that could help make the decision
SK

 

[jeff1]

How common are clogs on Whirlpool fridges from the 2000-era ? Or just how common are clogs in general?

Restrictions are not overly common.....leakers, compressor issues are more common.

jeff sr.