my reco would be to go for samsung. quality and service, all good. i am referring to the samsung silver nano model - top loading. it has steel drum, inlet for hot water and the silver nano funda. it costs about 14k for the 6.0 kg model.
I also had similar queries as bikey, eventually decided to go for samsung. Second option would be the whirpool top loading.
front loading wash quality is better than top loading, but they consume more power and less water. Most imp, they need permanet connection to the tap.