The Miele DW is superior in almost every way. That causes it's price to be higher too.

Pluses for Bosch:

cheaper
made in USA - for those that care

Everything else goes into the Miele column.

Love our Miele. Bob411's wife

Love my Bosch. It's super quiet. In fact I have opened it up mid-cycle because I forgot to look at the red light. It has cleaned everything from greasy pans to plastic water bottles and tops. For me, the cutlery tray in the Miele is more of pain. I like being able to remove the cutlery and carry the basket to my drawer to put it all away. Bosch is also less expensive than Miele and I personally do not think I have compromised on quality. Best of luck with your decision.

I was trying to choose between mid-level Bosch and low end Miele when we built our house. Since we chose Bosch (500 series), I can only comment on them. The dishes get clean and because they operate so quietly, unless the room is VERY quiet, we only know the dishwashers are running because of the lights that shine on the floor during the cycle. I figured if the dishes are clean (love AutoWash), can they be 'more clean' by a more expensive brand? That was my rationale for sticking with Bosch and saving hundreds of dollars for the 2 dishwashers we needed. We'd had a Bosch in our previous house and were very happy with it for several years.

Also...The Miele silverware rack was what intrigued me the most, but although most love it, others don't...So it was safe to stay with what I knew worked.

The only downside of our dishwashers is that the bottom racks in our particular model have adjustable tines that attach with little clips that tend to come undone, and need resnapping into place. A pretty quick fix, but still frustrating, and my kids have lost a clip for one.

Best wishes on your choice.

Unlike most posters (with the exception of antss, whose opinions are gospel) I have the advantage of having experience with both. I've owned a series of three Bosch DW's over a 10 year period, and most recently did a kitchen reno over the summer where we installed two Miele Excellas.

So...as usual, antss is on the mark. I still am very fond of my Bosch's. They were a real revolution for us, as these were the first DW's I'd ever owned that were actually quiet! That was a revelation. They also cleaned well, had bells and whistles I really liked (delayed start), and were quite reliable.

Still, the Miele's blow them away. They are even quieter. They are constructed like tanks. They look great (ours are fully integrated, with custom panels that look fabulous). They clean better than the Bosch's--more cycles, three spray arms instead of two, better water temp selections, etc. They have an unbelievable number of options for wash cycle choices. The Bosch--regular, quick, pots and pans. The Mieles--about a dozen, including the ever-popular Cheese cycle (yes, it has a cycle for baked-on cheese!).

So, to use my usual bad automobile analogies: Bosch's are like 3 Series BMW's. Mieles are like Porsche Carreras (or maybe even Aston Martins).

Oh, and BTW, I love the cutlery tray. It appeals to the obsessive "I'm the only one who knows how to load the DW correctly" side of my personality in a way that is frightening. I think it's totally superior to the usual basket.

Alright clinresga,
You've clinched it for me with your analogy. Personally, I've always felt like rhome - my Bosch DW cleans brilliantly clean and every time. How can anything be cleaner than perfectly spotlessly shiningly clean?

Well, your analogy has put paid to that question.
I also love my 3 series BMW. I should - we have two of them (actually, one is the X3 and the other an M3, so borderline 3-series members both). But I lust after the Porsche Carrera - well, most of 'em. I just do. So, if the Miele is a Porsche Carrera then that *is* the DW to have. I still don't believe that it cleans any better (and having heard both in a showroom, I'd have sworn that a Bosch 800 was actually quieter than the Excella or Perla or whatever was installed but frankly at those db's who can tell?!) but a Porsche *is* the car to have. That's all there is to it.

My Bosch is the first really nice new dishwasher I've had. It is fairly quiet and everything comes out clean and mostly dry. It is fully integrated and undetectable under the cabinet panels too. I guess I'd say that it's a matter of priorities; I needed to spend the money I saved vs a hi- end or other DW for other things that were more visible.

I should have credited Mindstorm, partly at least, for my opinion, since her wise words are what helped me see the light (for our situation) and choose to stay with Bosch. :-) And I could never see the point in paying for several cycles, since no matter how many there are I end up using 1 or 2. I realize, though, that others may not do that.

I certainly agree with rhome that the Bosch is a great machine, and that 90% of the time I only use the Sensor Wash cycle on the Miele. Still, the flexibility of the other cycles is useful when needed. I also really like the easy maintenance--the Miele reminds me to add rinse agent like the Bosch, but it also reminds me to clean the filters, add salt for softening but only if it is needed (it monitors water hardness continuously) and tells me if a spray arm has been obstructed. I think there is a measurable advantage in cleaning, especially for more challenging messes. I am very confident that the Mieles are quieter than any of our three Bosch's have been, though the two we still have now are not top end models, and it's likely that the high end Bosch would be quieter. About the only thing I really miss from the Bosch was the ability to slide a half sheet pan into the Bosch--you can slide it just outside the top rack to get just enough vertical clearance. I have not figured a way to get one into the Miele.

Bottom line, it's a you can't lose choice. Heck, I'd love a 3-series BMW--but after our kitchen reno, I'll be driving the Toyota for a long time to come.

I have the Miele Excella. I opted for the Excella not because of the extra cycles but because it was a speck quieter than the miele just below it. It took a little time getting used to the loading and to break my habit of prewashing, but it is fantastic. I LOVE the cutlery tray - you can be as compulsive as you want, (organizing each type of flatware), or just toss the cutlery in and sort it at the end. The silverware is ALWAYS clean. I do have mine hooked up to the cold water line only. It is extremely quiet. I have hidden controls so you only see a red light to let you know if the machine is working. I do wish that the machine would beep if the spray arm is blocked as I don't always notice if the red light is blinking. Other than that I am extremely pleased. Is it better than a Bosch? I don't know, but I have a bosch front loader washer/dryer and have used the extended warranty repeatedly. The other unit we considered was an ASKO as they are well thought of too.

I think one other consideration one must make between the two are the machines difference in basket configurations. I have a Miele Excella but did look at the Bosch before purchasing. If I remember the Bosch baskets resemble those of a typical US made machine. The Miele, even with the high end baskets and basket accessories, require a learning curve to load efficiently, and I find not all that friendly to deep bowls and dishes as compared to my old KA machine. However, I never in my life saw "clean" like what the Miele produces.

I have had a Miele Excella for a few months now and love it! (Sorry, but I have no experience with Bosch.) I also thought the upper cutlery tray was a gimmick, but it gives you much more room on the bottom rack since you do not have a basket. It cleans like a dream, and glassware is not spotted. It does have the built-in water softener which is worth the extra money.

You will not be sorry if you decide to buy a Miele, and you really can believe all of the good reviews about Miele DW on this and other websites.

I was thinking more like the difference between an Audi and a Meibach.

I have a Bosch and it is extremely quiet. I typically run 3 loads of dishes per day and have had it for 6 years with no problems. That is 6570 cycles!! Mine is the Integra - no controls on the front. As for me I use 2 cycles - on and off. I am extremely picky and must always have the best, but stop when it is not cost effective. My Bosch was only $700. If an extra $1000 is no sweat to you and you notice a difference between "clean" and "even cleaner" (is there such a thing?), the Miele might be for you.

Rennovatorjen,
The price difference between comparable Miele and Bosch models is less than $300 not $1000.

I have a Miele and have loved it for almost 8years.

Good luck!

I recently installed 2 Miele Inspira dishwashers in my kitchen remodel. They are lower-end of the Miele line, fully integrated with hidden controls. I was considering the Bosch, which were a few hundred dollars less expensive, and have the reputation of being very quiet. My main concern was the noise level- Miele's website says the Inspira is the least-quiet DW in the line. OK: unless I hear the bing-bing at the end of the cycle, I have no idea it's even running! The door closes like a vault. I have never had cleaner glassware (It even seems to clean up previously etched glasses, but that may be my imagination). Service so far has been excellent: one of them arrived without a needed part; I called Miele, and the replacement part was delivered the next day! I couldn't be happier with the decision to go with Miele.

weedmeister - the Maybach is not a production automobile per se, the vast majority are special ordered and appointed to owners requirements. It is also not very performance oriented. It's capable but it's not so much about the technical as about the ride,comfort,exclusivity. So, I don't think it's a very good analogy. Porsche cars are about the performance and I think that's what clinres was getting at. A better product to compare the Maybach to would be one of the Molteni custom cook centers.

Clinres, your Yota is going to still be in service long after Mindstorm's X3 is in the scrap heap. It may not be as sexy or fun to drive, but if you care about reliability....

Here is a link that might be useful: Maybach stove (sic)

I have the Miele Optima. It is the most amazing DW I've ever owned. The dishes come out spotless and it is so quiet you can't tell it's on. I love the top silverware tray. It gives you so much more room on the bottom rack. Also, the way the DW is organized let's you really pack the dishes in. I would recommend it highly.

We have 2 Miele Excellas & they are the best we've ever used.

If you want to do large items like half sheet pans and/or large cutting boards, you can either raise the middle basket to its highest setting, or if that won't clear the sprayer arm, take the middle basket completely out of the DW & use one of the Large Items cycles.

Check the Miele site for the new Series-II dishwashers, then call your local dealer to see what the prices are.

I have never used a Miele, so I cannot speak to that brand. However, I have had two Bosch Integras for the past three years and I'm very pleased with them. They have 4 cycles plus a rinse and hold one and a delayed wash cycle which can be programmed according to your needs, and they are extremely quiet. Family members have opened the doors mid-cycle many times because they couldn't tell the dishwashers were on. The dishes are always clean at the end. The upper rack is adjustable, should you have large items that need to go on the bottom. Mine also have cutlery trays, but they are an add-on and hold less than those on the Miele. I have an insert to hold additional oversize goblets as well, but I rarely wash much crystal in the machines, so I do not use that more than once or twice a year. I cannot attest to anything about service as I've not needed any, so far. I use Cascade or Cascade Complete or Electrasol--only the powder form of each and much less than the soap compartment can hold. I also use a rinse agent. We have whole house soft water; it's pretty much mandated around these parts. I use the delicate cycle as that's sufficient for almost everything, including yucky oatmeal, melted cheese, etc. I occasionally throw a roasting pan in and use the "auto super wash." I also like to buy American, if I can, but not if I have to sacrifice function.

Asko is a service call waiting to happen, Miele has dry, Bosch does not

lalitha - Where you are, what is the price difference between the models?
If you have the money, do you want to spend it on this difference?

Most people don't use the features of their DW.
Even the real aficionados signed in here.
Some say they use One other feature ; that is a total of two.
Who needs the high-end features?
Regardless of "needs", who even uses them? Beyond the most basic.
Consumer Reports says people don't use the features. And I say so.
Everything I have read, everyone I have spoken to, all points to one conclusion: buy only a few features and not the highest of the range.
However, your selection criteria may differ.

Having said that, I encourage you to spend all your money as you see fit. Enjoy.

All the Bosch owners are happy with "totally clean"
Miele owners say they are even happier!
Can you draw a conclusion from this?
That there may be no big difference?

You may come across one person who has both a Miele and a Bosch.
Of all those who is signed in here, nobody has ever said they have one of each.
Can you draw a conclusion from this?
That there is no possible way to know which is better?

Miele people signed in here are very much in love.
With their Miele machines.
Can you draw a conclusion from this?
Join the crowd. Be one of them.
Then, like other Miele owners, you could post to make it look like your dishes are cleaner than just "really clean".

In some markets Bosch are available at a price difference that is more than just a few hundred. I paid a $1000 less for a fully integrated BSH DW than for the other highly regarded machine.

I intend to use at least two of the features.

HTH
-david

David,
You are incorrect. At least one person who responded has both machines and that is Clinresga. There are several others on the forum who have both machines currently or have had them in the past.

Lalitha, Good luck with your selection!

Sorry david , you're wrong again. I do have both, several models in fact. From cheap a countertop and built in Bosch, to top of the line Miele and Bosch (rebadged Thermador to be candid). I'm pretty sure Clinres still has both currently in different homes.

Both are very good machines, sometimes the price difference is large and sometimes not - especially when you compare "apples to apples". Thermador sometimes gives away their $1200 Dw when you get a kitchen full of their other appliances- Miele will never do that. If you need water softening Bosch isn't going to cut it. If you don't like the cutlery tray and prefer a basket then the Bosch is a better choice. The both can have drying problems if you like your tupperware and sippy cups bone dry. Not like your china comes out soggy.

Thanks for all the awesome advice. I am going to take some of my pots and pans to see the loading efficiency and make a call. I also need $$ for other appliances, so we'll see. My DH is the dishwasher load/ unload guy and I thought I would give him a gift of time with a nice no pre-wash dishwasher :)

Lalitha

Yeah, antss and homepro are (as usual) correct, contrary to david's post. As I noted clearly in my first post, I've owned three Bosch DW's, including two that are still in action (the third was removed during reno, but not because it had died), and now own two Excellas. Whatever opinions I have about them are obviously reflective of my personal tastes, but they are, at least, based on years of experience with them. And, yes, the Bosch DW's worked great, but I love my Mieles more.

can someone clarify how they use the various miele cycles? I never have a full load of just one thing. For example, the cheese cycle - I might have 4 or 5 plates with cheese but the rest of the load is regular. Do you run the special wash cycle for the dirtiest item? I never have a full load of glassware; when I have good stemware I run the glass cycle but the DW is not full. Most of the time I basically just use the normal cycle, or as stated occasionally the glass cycle. As I noted above, I didn't buy the excella for the extra cycles but for its noise level but since I have the extra cycles why not learn how to use them to full advantage.

Yes, I think many of these extra cycles are superfluous - specially, since the dishwasher has a very adaptable Sensor Wash cycle. Too bad the US manual aren't as detailed as other ones. Our European manuals have all the cycles described: wash and rinse temperatures, durations, energy and water consumption listed. You can, for example, download the Australian manual (click here). Note: the manual can only be a guideline, since different countries have differently set up cycles.

I really like Bosch's concept with (basically) three cycles: Auto Heavy, Auto Normal and Auto Light.

Here's a nice video comparing Miele versus Bosch versus KitchenAid.

Alex

Here is a link that might be useful: Dishwasher Capacity Comparison

So, which Miele gives the biggest bang for your buck?

Take dishes and flatware, too. My dishes do not resemble the ones in the You-Tube, so they would not load the same way. Also, the loads I have are never, ever, just china and glasses. There are always oddly shaped items among the others. You need to get an idea of how the various configurations adapt to your needs.

antss or anyone else who might know...
I live in So Fla and we have hard water. Why is the Bosch not as good with that consideration? The whole salt thing with the Miele somewhat daunts me since I've never done it before. I was considering a KA because it had the 3rd rack, top wash only, and heated drying (which I'll admit is a reason based in lack of experience and minimal knowledge)

Remodel,
Miele invented the 3rd rack if I remember correctly. Asko had them in their machines for many years too. The salt conditioner is built into the machine. I have fairly normal water and I fill the tank every 14months or so. It is a really easy process. I move the bottom rack out of the way, loosen the salt reservoir top and put in the funnel supplied by Miele. I dump in the salt and reverse my steps. In under 5minutes you are done. Bosch does not have a water softener as far as I know.

I personally don't like the heated dry because I lost a couple of container tops that dropped into the heating element and made the house stink in a previous KA for many months. I like the air dry and don't really have an issue with plastics not drying. Granted, apart from the tops of glass storage containers, I don't have a lot of plastic in every load.

Good luck with your choice!

For lucypwd above...I have the Miele Excella and in regard to your question about using the specialty cycles, cheese for instance. I've never had a dishwasher only filled with stuck on cheese or starch or hard to clean items. It's always mixed like everything else. However, since almost all the cycles are long, and it's more a matter of water temp and a bit extra detergent, I use a cycle that mirrors the hardest to clean items in the machine. If not, it would have made no sense to buy the Excella series (except for the baskets) plus who likes to scrub stringy mozzarella cheese that sicks to all my scrubbers? Just my opinion though.

remodel- homepro pretty much sums it up. No water softener in the Bosch, both dry plastic the same, Miele's rack is more flexible and has the cutlery tray (which I happen to like). That's a love/hate for most people. Adding salt is easy, they tell you when to add it and the new generation machines are self adjusting.

Forgot to mention another plus in the Bosch's favor. The indicator light is more useful on the fully integrated models, it shines down on the floor opposed to Miele's between the unit and the countertop's underside. This will not bother many/most people , but for those that like a visual the Bosch's is more practical.