I would go with the Wolf all the way.

If it were me, I'd go with Wolf, Subzero, and Asko.

thanks for the tips...I spent half a day at a local showroom looking at these units and asking questions. I've narrowed down my choices, and I'd love to go Wolf/SZ all the way, but the price delta is quite significant since the builder seems to have some sort of special deal with viking...and these end up being significantly cheaper than wolf even though msrp may be comparable.

FRIDGE - We're going with the SZ built-in 48" :). The local store prices are better than what the builder offers. Has anyone been able to negotiate better pricing from their local dealers?

RANGETOP - I went to the showroom yesterday and looked at these. The salesperson said the Viking Professional range tops have been re-engineered so they don't have the previous written about ignition problems. Has anyone installed these recently, and can you comment on this?

I do a lot of Wok cooking, so I like how the Viking Pro 6 burner has one 18K BTU burner. Wolf stops at 15K (or 16K?) BTU. But I also bake a lot, so the low simmer on Wolf is appealing too.

BUILT-IN GRIDDLE or SEPARATE - Has anyone compared and used the built-in griddle versus the separate add on? I know there's a separate griddle plate available for Viking, not sure about Wolf. How are the results using this compared to the built in version?

I can get the Viking Pro (VGRT536-6B or VGRT536-4G) for $1500 less than the Wolf (SRT366 or SRT364G). That's a huge price delta. For the same price, I'd pick Wolf, but with a $1500 savings on Viking...I'm torn. Any thoughts from those who have these units?

30" DOUBLE WALL OVENS - I've narrowed my choices down to the Wolf E Series or L Series and the Viking Professional Premiere Electric with Knobs or Touch.

Viking Knobs vs. Touch - Does anyone have experience with these two options/variations?

Wolf E vs. L Series - I like the look of the E series better, but prefer the double convection in the L series. I've never had a double oven, so I'm wondering if I would mind one convection, and a second non-convection. For those that own an E series, do you even wish you had 2 convection ovens?

Finally, the real reason I'm torn is because the Wolf units are $2000-2500 more than the Viking Professional Premiere double ovens. Is that worth it? Or for this price delta, would you consider going with Viking?

(I really wish our builder had a deal with Wolf/SZ instead of Viking. It would make my life so much easier....).

I'm buying a condo where the basics are GE, upgrade is Viking, or you can select your own upgrade. They priced out the Viking as a $28,000 upgrade and after pricing it all out, there's no way it's close to that. We've decided to go with the Wolf 4 burner plus grill range top, the Miele steam/mic and 30" wall oven, the Miele dishwasheri,SZ refrigerator and a beverage center. Even with all that it doesn't come to $28,000. I think the builders try to get people to upgrade who might not check out other brands or the real prices on Viking.

After reading these forums, I wouldn't get a Viking and even the salespeople in the appliance stores have dropped hints about the quality. I always ask for the top of the line and then I ask what's #2 and why. They vacilate Wolf and Miele seem to always be on those lists. Miele is more expensive and they don't lower prices so I think Wolf is more consumer friendly. However, I don't plan on doing this again so I figure I might as well go for it.

AnnRose, if you read these forums,(Enough to know that Viking may have some problems), why are you going with the 30" Miele wall oven?
I can understand you going with the steam/mic as we haven't seen any negatives reviews on the steam ovens (in fact We really haven't seen much on them at all)---Maybe you will be so kind as to review it after installation and use?

The Miele ovens are another matter, tons of posts on the new ones and quite a few problems, quite a few reports on incorrect temps, usually way too low.Now we are starting to see problems with the broiler in the oven.

There is even an "ARDENT" and I do mean "ARDENT"
Miele lover (all his appliances are Miele) but even He admits that to bake a cake He has to use his speed oven (Miele) of course.

I have the Miele Optima DW (5 years now),and I'm very happy with it, but as mentioned time and time again, No One Manufacturer makes the best of everything.

Miele got the speed oven & DW's right---buttttt---you better read those reviews on their ovens.

Rhome, who I consider an "Oven Expert" as well as a first class baker bought the Wolf Ovens and she is very happy with them---that after less than positive experiences with ovens by 2 different manugacturers (Not Miele Thou).

A "Supposed software fix" was supposed to be "Forthcoming",
for the low oven temp problem,but ALAS, "It Has Disappeared
into "Thin Air"

Watch Out!!!!!

Gary

I didn't realize the problems were that great with the Miele oven. My other choice was the wolf, whose oven I actually liked better but i' m stacking them so I needed the same brand. The comments about the mic/steam were so positive that's what made me select it. However, I haven't made my final selections yet, and I definitely will change to Wolf.

Thanks for the input. I just found this forum and I love all the comments and advice given.

NJAnnRose - How is your builder letting you select your own upgrade? Will they let you pick any brand and they install for you? Ours is only offering Viking and Wolf/SZ. And for some reason, the Viking pricing is pretty much 50% off retail or less in some cases. So in looking at my options list, Wolf "seems" so much more expensive. But after these forums, I pretty much just need to explain to my husband that we have to shell out for the Wolf/SZ products as opposed to getting the cheap (in more ways than one) Viking items.

Range, Oven & Fridge will all be Wolf/SZ. Now I just have to decide if I want to switch out the Microwave and Dishwasher too...or leave those as Viking products.