Thanks everyone for all their suggestions, I bought the new machine today

Ended up with a Bosch, 6.5kg, they had floor stock of one of the top of the range models which had an RRp of $1499 and I got it for $899 :O
I didn't know but DH's work also does repairs on washing machines and they are the repair agent for Bosch, so DH was able to ask him a heap of questions and he went through good and bad brands, how easy it is to get parts etc.

So hopefully it will be here Thursday as I am definitely going to be needed to do some washing by then!