I think I could be OK with either of your fridge choices.

Oven: Had a Monogram that wasn't a satisfactory performer (I have several posts explaining. If you do a search for "RHome410 Monogram" at the bottom of the page, you'll find a few, I'm sure) I replaced it with a Wolf that I love. Electrolux was the runner up...and suggested as a more affordable alternative by someone in Wolf R&D.

Dishwasher: Had a Bosch in our last house for several years and loved it. We also had a Maytag (now part of the Whirlpool/KA family) that was horrible. So we went with Bosch again in this house. We have 2 of them, and are happy with performance and quiet running.

Best wishes!

Thanks for the reply. To be honest, I've gotten some decent info from the review section of AJ Madison as well as reading Consumer Reports.

We're going to make a trip down south about 60 miles to check out some stores that cater to the wealthier mountain communities here in Colorado.

I like the Elux, but seems their ovens are their best product.

Electrolux wall ovens have repair-prone control boards. I would recommend the Bosch, KitchenAid or Dacor distinctive as alternatives. Or better yet - the Capital built-in with a water container for moist baking and roasting.

I would recommend the KitchenAid fridge over the Whirlpool - better glide-out crispers and a much better warranty. I also like the Bosch B26FT70SNS - it will store produce 2-3 times longer in the Vita-Fresh drawers.

If you really like Samsung - get the GE PFSS9PKYSS instead since it's built by Samsung and their parts distribution is much better.

I like the Bertazzoni range top. Also check out the Dacor distinctive for around $2000. If you get to the $6000 mark with Dacor they give you a free warming drawer or microwave.

Bosch SHX58 d/w is the best, or choose a lower priced unit. Any Bosch is better than Whirlpool.

Front loader - Bosch Vision is awesome and you might find a deal on a set since they're discontinued. Otherwise Whirlpool is good.

Hood - I like Kobe, Vent-A-Hood, Zephyr and a few others. If you can get to 3 or 4 Bosch kitchen units, they'll give you a 10% or 15% mail-in rebate (expires at the end of May)

Just curious: I thought the repair prone Elux ovens were the 2009 versions, and improvements have solved the problem? The reports of problems here on the forum have definitely fallen to nil since then. KitchenAid ovens have had such variable and negative reviews here, and additionally, such problems with non-responsive customer service, that I never even considered them.

TGC, I found Consumer Reports to be sorely lacking in broad coverage of brands, certainly of a variety of models, and in judging the appliances in areas which I found important...like over time. A day of testing doesn't show it all.

Also, their repair history type of reports are misleading, since they only cover a few types of problems. For instance, I did a survey for them in which it made our Maytag fridge look like a star, because it didn't allow for information about how many times we had to replace parts to the drawers, how much we spent in shipping costs for parts, or the evaporator motor we replaced ourselves when the original went out just after the warranty period. They don't take into account necessary parts and repairs that don't require a manufacturer's service tech. Anyway, you're doing things the right way...Consult CR, but also look to resources like this forum and AJ Madison reviews where you get reports from real life experience, and from people who use their appliances in all different ways.

When it comes to CR, they are better used as a relative scale not an absolute. What they consider to be important you may not and visa versa.

I like the Samsung fridge.

We hear things about the GE and KA ovens. Folks seem happy about Electrolux.

I have a KA dw I'm happy with. The thing about DWs is that you need to take your dishes to the store and make sure they fit the machine you are interested in. I had nothing but problems with my old Maytag not fitting anything, but my KA is adjustable throughout. It is also larger on the inside than the Bosch. Then there's the thing about drying.
It has been stated that the lower end Bosch's are not as good as the others.

You can get more advice than you could ever use on the Laundry forum concerning a washer/dryer. Samsung does well, Miele and Asko are top rated. Others have issues related to longevity (LG comes to mind).

BTW: $8k seems a bit low when you start talking about Wolf.

Yeah, the Wolf and Viking tier stuff would be bought used if found.

Actually, today I found a Viking 36" VGIC range/oven brand new that a contractor used as a display in a spec house. $4200

I also found a used Wolf 36" range/oven locally that I could get for about $2000.

Not sure if it's worth spending for example $4000 on new mediocre range top & oven, or pick up that Viking for $4200 and be done with it. The Wolf is even cheaper.

What do you guys think?

I'd do some searching on "Viking" here before making that choice. If it were me, between Viking and Wolf I'd take the Wolf, hands down.

I have a set of the E'lux ovens and they're great--the 2009 problems, by all reports were dealt with fairly and swiftly by Electrolux and the 2010 models were fixed. I have a pair of 2010s and love 'em.

cj

Yeah, I did some searching last night and it seems like the Viking does have it's share of issues.

Does anyone have any opinions on Dacor Millenia range tops? Sears has them (or can order them) and it's an option I'm considering to the Bertazzoni.

Also - when it comes to Elux, what lines are people referring to, or ar all Elux lines good? I was comparingnthe Elux Professional double oven to the Bosch 800 series. The Bosch is about $800 cheaper.

Thanks again everyone for all the advice. This is more stressful than buying the darn house!

You could buy a Capital Precision 36" range (GCR366) for $4000 brand new and it will have 19K burners all with 140 degree simmer.

I like the Bosch ovens better than Electrolux, simply because we've had to replace more of the Electrolux units due to service. Maybe they've gotten better.

Thanks ApplianceSalesVet

What do you think of my other choices? I can get the Bosch 800 series double oven for about $1000 less than the Elux, so I might just go with it.

Do you have any experience with the Bertazzoni ranges?

Thanks

John

Thanks everyone for your help. Here is what I've come up with:

FRIDGE: Whirlpool(GX5FHTXV)- $1,360

RANGE: I'm torn between a Range/Oven combo, or a rangetop and double oven. Capital Culinarian Series CGMR366 - $5,500

If I go with a rangetop & double oven, I'd be looking at either the Capital Culinarian or Bertazzoni rangetops, along with a Bosch 500 double oven.

D/W: Kenmore Stainless Steel 24" Built-In Dishwasher(1321) - $550

WASHING MACHINE: Whirlpool Duet(WFW94HEXW)- $940

Obviously I've exceeded my budget by a little, but feel that spending a little more on my main cooking appliances isn't too foolish. I'm at ~$8,500 minus a hood and a microwave. The microwave is cheap enough, and I'm still doing my research on hoods, but it looks like one might run me about $1000 +/-.

Anyone have any feedback on the above?

Thanks!!

John

TGC,

Did you end up purchasing the appliances you listed in your last post? How are they working out for you so far?

I'm remodeling my kitchen soon and have a similar budget to yours. So far, I've only bought a fridge: The Samsung RF266AERS for $1,300.

If you want raw power go with the Capital, Bertazzoni rangetops are well made, but underpowered, otherwise I like your choices, have you looked at the Capital wall ovens? I don't see your choice for venthoods, but with a 36" Capital you are looking at 1200 CFM and probbably makeup air. That would add a big chunk to your budget.