Ask your dealer who the repair companies are for Thermador and Sub-Zero. Call them and ask those folks. I've heard nightmare stories about Thermador installation and repairs (you're supposed to remove the door ~ 1 - 3 hours before pulling out the unit and laying it on its front to repair it).

We installed a new SubZero (side-by-side) 12 years ago when we built our home. It's been 12 years of continuous trouble, with virtually every major component needing replacement. It was "okay" during the warranty period, but we're way past that now and are just holding our breath for the next failure. SubZero performs okay but has the worst brand repair history among all fridge brands. I don't know anything about Thermador, but would strongly advise against SubZero. Good luck!

We've had the opposite experience with SubZero: multiple units that went 15+ years before needing any service, usually a door gasket. SubZeros have good long warranty support, too.

Your friend's 3 yr old Thermador is a totally different animal from the new Freedom series, if that is what you are looking at. The older one was probably made by Whirlpool and is essentially a Kitchenaid. That was still a good product and we looked at both the Kitchenaid and Thermador versions. We had one of those planned when we ordered our cabinets. What we wound up with was the Thermador Freedom series.

The Freedom series and the newer Bosch and Gaggenau versions are made by BSH, the parent company of all three. They are not another company's rebadged unit -- they are a new design made to improve both food storage quality and ergonomics while also porviding configuration options.

They have had some complaints about the installation being more tedious, but I think it is part learning curve. Another part of it is that shipping the door panels, even stainless, separately, provides a lot more protection against one of the most likely sources for damage and returns -- dings in the stainless. But the appliance guys wind up putting on the stainless as part of the installation while the custom panels are generally put on by cabinet guys, so the appliance guys are doing work they aren't used to thinking about. I don't think any of it is that hard -- it's just more steps than they are used to and they don't like to have to think about doing something a new and different way. I saw a lot of that in my remodel -- the least of which was a fridge.

I haven't had any service on the fridge or the freezer, so I have not heard or seen anything about taking the door off an hour before, etc. I can tell you that my Bosch-made Thermador DWs and the Thermador fridge and freezer are the only appliances I have in the new kitchen that haven't required service and have performed just as expected from the start (knocking on wood here).

I love the look, the fit and the feel of them. They are virtually silent (might hear the ice dumping or filling, but rarely notice it and it isn't loud). They keep the food cold and fresher longer.

I can't remember the Subzeros we looked at well enough to rememebr if their drawers were also full extension and opened fully with the door at 90 degrees. If not, the Thermador do and that would be a significant difference in my book. I also love the fact that the drawers are raised up off the floor and yuo don't see a vent grill.

We're sold enough that I was just talking with DH about possibly putting one in our laundry room rather than having a counter-depth sticking out (you know space is cramped when you'll pay twice as much for a fridge to gain 2-3 inches in front of it). What more can I say? LOL

lascatx, exactly. I have been enjoying my Therm Freedom French door for about six months now. Beautiful fridge, beautiful interior layout. I liked it a bit better than the Subzero. I'm very happy. No problems.

Thanks so much for all the advice! Lascatx, I really appreciate all the detail. If the drawers of the Thermador extend fully with the door at a 90 degree angle that will be a huge factor in my decsion! I'm about to order all my new appliances and it seems each decision is taking me forever! This site is such a great help. Any advice on a range?

SZ had a run of bad quality control a few years ago, and were 'living off their reputation' for several years. Most recent reports have indicated they have returned to a higher level of build quality. They have a great warranty, with the most expensive parts covered for 12 years.

We have had ours now for 2+years with only one small problem-a fan died just a few weeks after install, about a ten minute fix.

When comparing fridges, be sure to compare square surface area (usable shelving area) as well as cubic area.

Don't know that I need to add this or not, but I will. I don't have anything against SZ and have had no personal experience with them. The folks where we bought the appliances were very positive on them. They got kicked out of consideration for me because the ice in the models we would have liked best had the ice down just above the floor. I have a bad neck and we use a lot of ice in TX -- the bending and reaching for ice frequently would be a problem for me that most folks wouldn't have.

My recent experience in getting my Wolf ovens replaces and starting to use the new ones has me very pleased with that side of the company.

Lascatx - Glad to hear you like your Wolf range. That is what I'm leaning toward. I'm not sure if the ice on the bottom in the Sub Zero would bother me or not! I'm in New Orleans, so we use a lot of ice, too! I'm finally moving back after losing my house during Katrina, so I want everything to be just right! I'm starting from scratch so I have almost too many choices to make!

Canuck99 - How are the electrical and water set-up different? I have an electrician and plumber coming over this week!

Hope this isn't a hijack, but Pamela, have you been able to install the old-fashioned icebox panels on your Thermadors? I've been so looking forward to pictures of your installation. I'd love to do something similar in the house we're planning!

You Freedom owners, don't you find the fridge's orientation a little tall with those bottom compressors? I was excited about the Freedoms as a less expensive alternative to S-Z until I looked at them and feel I wouldn't be able to easily reached items on the back of the top shelf. I am 5'6, admittedly not tall, but not exactly short either. ???

Jagl

The electrical plug on the sub zero is near the top with one plug. The Thermador plugs are at the bottom with each column having a plug. Not sure if you can have one plug shared between the columns.

Katmandu

The Freedom columns are definetly tall so that is why you can lower and raise the top shelf if Thermadoe omits the top shelf is to tall for some people. I do like them since they are quieter.

I love that the Freedom units are taller, especially the lower drawers! Our fridge has been living with folks 5'3 or 5'4" to 6'4" and no one has complained about reaching anything. Maybe a very short person would have an issue, but we haven't seen it here.

jagl, bless you for having to wait and work so long to get back into your home. I hope it will be wonderful. For the record, I have a Wolf rangetop and separate double ovens. If I weren't a tall person with a bad neck, I might have gone for a 48" range and a little more counter space instead, but I am happy with both.

You are supposed to have two separate outlets for the Thermador Freedom fridge and freezer, and the plugs and water connection are both at the lower left if I recall correctly. We did temporarily have both plugged into a single socket after the cabinet installers put a screw through one of the wires to the freezer -- it worked before, but not when the freezer was delivered. Thermador said it would probably be okay as a temp situation, but said they could throw the breaker if both reached peak power consumption at the same time.

Thanks again for all the great information! I'm not too worried about capacity because my only son is leaving for college in the fall and it will be just DH and myself. We couldn't go back to the flooded house, so we decided to buy an old house in one of the only parts of town that didn't flood. We'll actually be living above sea level instead of 6 ft. below! My electricians will be surprised by how much I know about where I need outlets. I'm leaning heavily toward the Thermador and will decide in the next day or two. I'll let you know! Thanks again!

If you decide on Thermador, you can download the installation info and specs from their website. Probably most other brands too, but I know Thermador because I printed them all out. Getting your contractor to read them and do it right the first time is another issue. Rrrr.

nutherokie,
Amazing you remembered! Actually, my cabinetmaker just delivered the case and doors and we're about two weeks away from installation. I will post photos for you as soon as it's in.
P.

Thanks everybody! I'm fairly certain that I'm going with the Wolf 36" DF and and the Thermador Freedom 36" two door with the freezer on the bottom. I really like where the Thermador has the ice and I like the way the door opens so that you can take the vegetable bins all the way out with no trouble. Still looking for a hood, DW and MW!

Congratulations on your progress Pamela. I'm sure they'll be beautiful. Can't wait to see!

I too went back and forth about this decision- for me it was the 36 inch models. I was dead set on getting the Thermador, and then when we went back to look at the Towers one last time. The sales person pointed out the very narrow shelves compared to the Sub. The back shelves are more important to me for storage the the deep door storage for juice and milk! I didn't realzie this significant differnence until we actually measured the difference. Also, since the shelf is split on the Thermador, if you spill something the drip will not be confined to the shelf area. So, we ended up ordering the Sub again. My friend had her Towers delivered in July- she still has not gotten doors for either tower delivered without dings yet. Still fighting with Store and thermador.

I had a pair of Thermador Columns installed in December (30" Fridge, 30" Freezer). I love them. I had a hard time deciding between the above set vs. 27" pair from SubZero. So far, everything has worked perfectly and I'm very happy with my decision.

My final deciding points were:
For about 20% less money I could get 25% more storage.
(The 27" SubZeros were about 25% more money compared to the 30"), and I had room for either.

I LOVED the way the doors on the Thermadors swung fully to the outside of the fridge, rather than staying within the front of the fridge. Opening is so much wider feeling.

As for now living with it, here are some thoughts on concerns others have brought up:

I'm 5/2" and have no complaints about the top shelves. They are high, but I prefer that to stooping over for lower stuff. And the drawers are great!

And I like the shallow shelves, with deeper door stuff because no more lost stuff in the back of the fridge. The doors hold ALL the condiment type stuff and the rest is wide open for large jugs of milk, juice, and everything else!

One of the comments I get most when people look inside is:
WOW, you can see EVERYTHING at a glance! It all seems to be at eye level and just item or two deep. No more hidden leftovers & stuff. The shelves are still deep enough to hold two gallons of milk, one in front of the other, as well as my big huge serving platter, cookie sheets, and pizza boxes. So no need for the shelves to be any deeper for me.

I love the ice bucket location. Open the door and it's right at waist/chest level. Perfect.

As I said before - no regrets so far!

Well, I ordered my Thermador fridge/freezer today. I went with the Freedom top/bottom. I got a great deal and it ended up over $1300 cheaper than the SubZero! I also decided on the Wolf duel fuel 36" range with a Broan Elite range hood. I'm glad that decision is made! Still trying to decide on a dishwasher! Thanks for all the help.