90's Fisher & Paykel SmartDrive Instructional Tape 

Agreed. Depending on how you use it, it should last at least 7 years.

Surprisingly only my aunt has had the bottom fins break off, but she hasn't replaced it. No one else I know (who owns a SmartDrive) has had that happen to their machines

Our machine had the fins snapped of for 6 years replaced it but the actual machine broke so we got a new one

That is a matter of personal opinion and individual choice. Front loaders used to be great when they used more water. Water use has been tweaked to such an extent that they do not rinse so well anymore and they simply do take way too long. I also don’t like the fact that European front loaders require to heat their own water; they generally only come with a cold water connection. I have solar hot water and it is a waste of time and energy not being able to use dual hot and cold connections. Front loaders are too expensive and most of them will end up in landfill in less than 10 years, which is neither economical nor environmentally friendly. My top loader is 17 years old and has never missed a beat.

American front loaders use cold and hot tap. Also there’s no front loaders that don’t use enough water. There are front loaders that use little water but it can’t be considered not enough since it cleans and rinses well. The front load action, unlike the top load action which only has scrubbing action, front loaders have both scrubbing and beating action. There’s a reason the best cleaning washers are always front loaders. And the front loaders dying early statement simply isn’t true. Take care of it and it’ll last. My Lg front load lasted 19 years

Front loaders usually have a large concrete block mounted on the top of the drum to reduce shaking. That will probably be where the extra weight is coming from.

Maybe there is a hole or crack in the outer bowl

It will be the seal on the agitator shaft that has worn out so water is getting past the seal and into the bearings. A side effect is a very noisy spin. The goods news is that if you have some mechanical aptitude and can follow video instructions it is a DIY repair that will give you another 10 years out of the machine. Parts should be around NZD$20. There are videos on YT showing how this can be done.

I don’t think you can.

You can find SmartDrive motors at recycling centres, old washing machines, and online. Normally, you can salvage older motor models quite easily.

New Zealand, which is where Fisher and Paykel is based.