Front or top, hot or cold?

I have always been dubious of the general trend in New Zealand for washing machines to be top loaders and only cold wash.  Cold water never washes anything properly, and the top loader machines seem to make only  half arsed attempt at all stages of the cycle except the spin, reminding me every time of Kevin washing his dad's car (a favourite Harry Enfield sketch).

Today, my doubts were given foundation when I washed Gregg's work clothes in a front loader on 40C for the first time in, ooh, 9 years probably.  The colour of the water coming out of them... Eugh...

I rest my case, New Zealand.