The first tech also thought it was the pump but didn't sound convincing (more of a "we might want to replace the pump" approach). Since it will cost us about $500 to do this we were hesitant (next time definitely getting an extended warranty). I asked for the "best" and most senior tech to come and see to "confirm" the first tech (which Miele kindly did). However, the 2nd tech believes the problem is "acceptable" and didn't confirm if it could be the pump. grapepeeler - we thought about the granite overlay but the noise level didn't get any louder until 4 months after it was completed. I would have expected to notice the change right away. I haven't had a chance to phone Miele back but my guess is we will just have to live with it. However, I will be sending a "formal" letter so it is on record (in case there is a underlying problem and it gets worse). Thanks for all of the advice and help, ml25

Wow! Thanks for this. My Optima is in and I'll get to start using it in a few weeks when our remodel is done.

Once again a Consumer Reports parrot. Making a broad statement without qualifications is not very helpful. People read "it's the worst" and go away thinking It must be true. CR loves to bash them and other highline brands because in their studies they do poorly. It's only recently that they have started to introduce VALUE into the equation. Based on spec, cost, styling, ect... the highlines still do poorly. This is a fair assesmnet, but was late comming to the table. What CR also doesn't tell you out loud is that the rates are based on their reader's samples. If 20 readers buy a SZ side x side and 5 have problems then 25% of all SZ's have repair issues. What you don't know is that those 5 units came off the line on the same day and recieved faulty icemakers from Whirlpool (who's tops in CR's eyes) and caused the problems. CR doesn't disclose what was at fault, a early failure on evaporator, a door seal that comes loose because it sat around you jobsite beigng josseled, and a burned light bulb after 2 weeks, and a computer board fried by lightning would all generate calls to SZ and trigger a repair under CR's questionaire. ONLY the early failure on the evaporator is a SZ quality/repair issue. The sampe size is also a bit skewed. SZ sells few side x sides. CR reader buy few SZ units as group and even fewer SZ side x sides. Conversely, the # of Kenmore and Whirlpool units are off the charts. They also seem to take stupid pills every once in a while. How can they not have enough data on SZero's built-in refs to list in the chart? They make ONLY built-ins, it's the whole reason they started. And of course Samsung is relaible, they don't make many units, and none of our readers have them to file a complaint. They must be reliable, or we'd of heard, after all we're CR. Now, your personal experiance is a different matter. That is much better bellweather especially if you give details. Do you have an undercounter, SxS, were the probs, cosmetic, complete system failure, did you just not like the layout after living with it, did SZ warranty any of those probs, did they rape you on the price when they didn't warranty???? My point is this, CR is a nice tool to have in the descision basket, but they are not a benchmark when it comes to highline $$$$ brands. Liek political polls they can show anything. It all depends on who frames the question and who is asked.

I have a Bosch 800 series with Crystal Dry, same odor problem others are experiencing. This dishwasher replaced a 30+ year old Whirlpool that never smelled, ever. I rinse dishes first because I run the dw once every 6 days or so. Did a thorough cleaning of the filter, below the filter, the walls etc. Used Cascade dw cleaner this weekend, which did a super job of cleaning, but as far as the odor issue, it's back, now with an overlay of the strongly perfumed Cascade cleaner, which makes it worse because when I open the dw door to air it out, my kitchen smells like the dw cleaner, which I don't really care for. As far as the residual water, Bosch CS told me that it was an intentional part of the design, to prime the pump for the next use? However, I'm wondering if it's the crystals causing the issue, by absorbing odors and then releasing them after several days into the dishwasher? Thoughts? Very frustrated, because dishwashers are nothing new - the first one was invented in 1850 according to the internet. Would much rather have one that just cleans the dishes, than one with all the bells and whistles that smells.