Which pressure washer? £300 budget

[Acuity30]

So many on the market I'm struggling to decide.
I really like the Ava units, with budget allowing a P50-P60, however the website barely has any stock at all and I'd also prefer to wait for a deal.
All other options would require a hose, gun and snowfoam lance upgrade. I'd want a 10m non kink hose, stubby gun and a decent snow foam lance. Only Ava seem to have nailed all 3 in one package, but I'm not against modding other units to achieve the same.
450l per hour minimum and an operational pressure of 120-130 bar should be fine for car cleaning. Nilfisk C140 is an option but not many reviews of it out there.

What are you lot using and what upgrades if any have you made?

[andyb28]

I have a Nilfisk, not sure the model, but its one of the bigger ones.

It has lasted years, previously I was getting Karcher ones and replacing every year or two.
Pretty sure the review came from here that Nilfisk use more metal parts, where as Karcher have more plastic parts?

[peterperkins]

A petrol one, if you can store it. 6.5hp+

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Petrol-Pressure-Jet-Washe...

So much better than a pathetic electric one, and it can drive a proper rotating patio cleaner like this.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/256577094782

I appreciate this is under bodywork/detailing but you might as well consider one.

[Acuity30]

peterperkins said:

A petrol one, if you can store it. 6.5hp+

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Petrol-Pressure-Jet-Washe...

So much better than a pathetic electric one, and it can drive a proper rotating patio cleaner like this.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/256577094782

I appreciate this is under bodywork/detailing but you might as well consider one.

• ****DO NOT BUY THIS PRODUCT ******

...it's absolute rubbish and isn't worth £200

It's difficult to start from cold and ever harder to hot start

I had mine about 6 months and had used it approx 6-8 times and the hose burst. Parkers wouldn't replace it. I had to purchase a new hose at a cost of £20+ p&p.

On numerous occasions I've attempted to wash my car only for the pressure washer to refuse to start

Yesterday (17th July), after having it for 13 months and approx 25 uses, the starter cord snapped whilst I was attempting to start it. Parkers won't replace it and have basically said it's nothing to do with them

Parker Products have no contact telephone number and their Customer Service and After Sales is shocking. They are total cowboys and best avoided...read some other reviews, but the complaints are pretty consistent. I only wish I paid attention to them before my purchase but I was smitten by the look of the pressure washer & the cost

It's £200 for a reason......cos it's crap

The only positive thing I can say about this product is once it gets going it's actually quite a good pressure washer, but is very heavy on fuel

My advice would be say yourself a load of trouble and pay a little bit extra for a Karcher, which is exactly what I'm going to do

• ***** DO NOT BUY THIS PRODUCT********

We purchased this machine in 2016, and luckily enough I have been able to purchase from Parkerbrand the spares I need to fix it , Springs give, electrics need adjusting and bolts come off , and regularly loosen themselves it is not often used but is essential for cleaning animal trailers. It can be difficult to start, there is a definite knack to it . I am now having to replace the main engine gasket as oil seeps from the engine area. The handle I find is too low so your stooping right over when you want to move it, and I'm not tall. . When it goes its a little atom, cannot fault the pressure washing side , but really very dissapointed at the amount of times I've had to sort it out .I have just been told byParker Brand they do not do spares for this engine anymore !!! , I would never recommend you to buy it, Save your money for a better built machine .


Also it's capable of paint damaging pressures. Way overkill for the intended application. Like taking a chainsaw to a pizza to slice it. Thanks though

[peterperkins]

I actually got his one, the one above was just an example as the one I bought is currently unavailable.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08NTPZYSY

Anyway it has not refused to start, hasn't leaked, and has been lent to neighbours without issue.
I have no complaints.

[zsdom]

I’ve had a Nilfisk C120 for 13 years now & its been near faultless, the only thing thats gone wrong is the auto on/off switch & a few O rings

[mike9009]

Nilfisk here too. Cannot remember the model number but mine is 18 years old now.

The snow foam lance that came with it was crap, so replaced that with a metal one from Amazon.

The hose has been replaced with a longer one after about 12 years use. And that is it......

Used for cleaning three vehicles in the household and patio/ pathways each year. Really quite impressed for the £120 or so I paid for it....

[gweaver]

Acuity30 said:

All other options would require a hose, gun and snowfoam lance upgrade. I'd want a 10m non kink hose, stubby gun and a decent snow foam lance.

We've got an old Karcher K2 Compact. I've just ordered an MTM SGS35 stubby gun and PF22.2 foam lance set for £80. The same seller offers sets for Karcher, Nilfisk & Kranzle (on eBay). Some of the sets include nozzles, 10m hoses and quick release lance extensions.

I wouldn't buy a pressure washer for the accessories when there is so much available aftermarket, and to suit most budgets.

If/when the K2 dies it will probably be replaced with a Nilfisk, and I'll need to get a Nilfisk to M22 adapter.