Washing machine broken - What could be the problem?

I think that with age, the reactance against the constant consumption and renewal craze increases.
We could start a competition to see who here has the oldest mobile phone model in use (not in the closet). I'll start with the Star II from Samsung, year of manufacture / market launch 2011. :oops:

My dad: used the Nokia 3410 until 12/30/2017. He still would, if we hadn’t brought him a Doro from the MM [emoji13]

My Sony Bravia TV has been running flawlessly since 2004 .... that thing doesn’t want to break so I can finally buy a new one

Those were still circuits. The emperor can only dream of that....

By the way, this resistance to buying new things is not just limited to technology. My wife and I were flipping through our photo album last night, yes, those still exist, and ended up at our Portugal Atlantic tour 2013. And we smiled to realize that we still look the same as in 2013 and the clothes we are wearing in the pictures firstly still fit and secondly are still in the wardrobe and in use. We are therefore Otto Versand’s ruin. Karsten

Ok, I have now ordered this heating element from Bosch for €78. My husband is willing to sacrifice himself to install it. If that doesn't work, we will buy a new one.

Right decision, if your husband feels like it, why not. If it doesn't work either, it's not a big deal, you can get something new. At least you have learned something from it. Personally, I use things and devices as long as possible or repair them even though the repair is relatively expensive. I think that is more environmentally friendly.

But there are also things that one does not want/should not keep. Grandma's old freezer chest, for example, it is then worthwhile to get a new replacement. Innovation is indeed limited by too long durability. Refrigerators, air conditioners, vacuum cleaners, washing machines, and dishwashers. All things where some people guard a 20-year-old treasure because it still works, but is actually no longer economical.

Otherwise, quality especially with washing machines. How do I recognize it as a customer? Because it says Miele on it and therefore costs twice as much? Unfortunately, they still only give a two-year warranty - well, if that's not a quality promise :)

Not because it says Miele, but because it lasts. If it didn't last, no one would pay the price for the machine anymore. Therefore, I assume good quality. But I don't have one myself to prove that.

And economically, buying a new device would only make sense if the energy savings were greater than the purchase price within the device's lifespan. I mostly doubt that. Refrigerators are probably the exception.