that integra 68 is pricier than the entry level mieles.

Sorry , just had to let ya know.

Sorry, not looking for an entry level dw.
I know how much you like Miele. I'm sure it's a wonderful machine.
Do you have any comments or answers to my original post?
Thanks,
Monica

food grinder = noise

Sanatize = higher temp wash and rinse. Everyone specific settings vary and their marketing dept. has a different taglone for it.

Concealed controls no more or less functional than in view ones. Most agree hidden is better looking.

Where have you read that tall tubs have mechanical problems ???

Stainless tubs are the best option. You are over thinking the drying aspect of one material over another.

What happens if you drop something on a enamled door? What about on a plastic door ? Let it go.

Time left indicator??? Most DWs don't have this feature. Even if it did I don't stand around and wait on it or even plan my day around when it's finished cleaning. Euros take so long anyway that youre long gone anyway when they've finished.

I have a 500 series but not the 55. The door is heavier than a plastic whirlpool model. The final weight depends on your exact panel choice. They will balance neutral with aid of tension springs to be easy to open and close.

Bosch makes some nice kit , they also make some abslpute crap like their new multiple piece plastic and metal tub DW. Service is as you've read.

We bought a top of the line Bosch DW 2-3 years ago after living with a noisy Maytag machine for about 15 years. I think it's terrrific. It cleans very, very well, and it is very quiet. I can talk on the phone. listen to the radio, whatever while the machine is on, and it does not interfere. It also has a TOP RACK ONLY feature if you have a small load -- water will spray only from the sprayers aimed at the top rack, so you can saver money and energy.

It does not have a food grinder. That means that food particles left on dishes can possibly end on the strainer located in the drain opening. That means some maintenance, maybe. But we wipe off loose food particles with a used paper napkin or paper towel before loading the DW and have never had to clean the strainer. We never prerinse.

Some people on this thread (or maybe another thread) have stated that the Bosch DW lacks the capacity of other machines that they prefer. That's a personal matter. We're empty nesters and do only one load per day. When the grandkids come over for a few days, there are 6 of us instead of only 2 -- and then, we tend to need 2 loads per day unless we eat out.

I'll weigh in with my experience with a 500series of some sort (SHX46 or 56 that is now 4 years old) but in general, I'd pretty much echo antss' comments. I'll add the additional comments or personal/owner opinions only:

Re: "Santize" - looking at the website, indeed neither has a "sanitize wash" (whatever that is) but both have the "Sani-Dry" feature. Once upon a time I knew what this was but no longer recall - my machine has it also. Anyhow, that is what the "Sanitized Indicator" refers to.

Concealed vs visible controls: Agree with above - personal preference. For what its worth, I prefer the concealed controls also and am pleased with them after having had em.
Cleaner look.

Re: Stainless door & dings - what do you think ;-) FWIW, in 4 years, I've never dropped anything on the door and so it has no dings. The stainless interior also washes very nicely clean and so after 4 years is still pristine looking.

Re: Concealed conrols and keeping track of cycle:
I have the concealed controls. So far, I've never needed to or wanted to know where the DW was in its cycle. I suppose if it made a din, I'd really want to know how much more of it I had to look forward to, but since it quietly goes about its business and produces sparklingly clean dishes very quietly, I've never felt the need to monitor or micromanage it.

Door ain't light and is also counter-weighted so it will stay where you put it. There's electronics in the door - I wouldn't go about kicking it anymore than you kick your computer.

Lastly, I'd decide between those two based on what you habitually wash in there. Frankly I don't think that you need to pursue the number of features - but do pay close attention to the racking, and the rack flexibility of each. I do really like my DW but I wish I'd noticed that the lower rack isn't as flexible as my upper rack and that other models have different/better flip configurations.

I love everything about how my Bosch dw works except the loading of it. I have a lower end model, and glasses and bowls fall all over themselves. Take a few of your own dishes to the appliance store for a "test-load". I would have paid more for better loading!

Mine has the countdown on the door, but I run it at night and my dishes are sparkling clean and dry when I unload in the morning. If you open the dw as soon the the cycle is done you may have some un-evaporated water on plastic things.

The stainless interior is fine. It isn't as "bright" as my old white plastic tub but it doesn't show spaghetti sauce stains either!

There is no food grinder but the filter screen rarely has anything on it.

The regular wash cycle will sanitize your dishes, the "sani-cycle" found on some manufacturers dishwashers is overkill and hype.

Do you really plan to "kick" the door of an integrated dishwasher closed? (I used to do that on my old black Kenmore, so I know what you mean)

I had the 900 in the past and a 500 now. The noise level difference is there but negligible. My 500 clean very well, quietly, efficiently and both trouble free. I do not use fancy cycles. Light or normal. Pots pans and Lenox china goes in.

Consumers Reports August issue is just out and they rated all kinds of different dishwashers. The Boche Evolution 500 series was their second highest rated dishwasher. I was rated excellent for washing and energy use, and very good for noise and ease of use.

I'm back. DW is ordered. Appliance shopping when it's 110 degrees (not exaggerating) is not on my list of "fun things to do"!
I didn't get the Bosch. I wanted it, I really did...till I saw it. I'm sure it cleans wonderfully, is super quiet and energy efficient. And those were my 3 main goals for a new dw, but, I was disappointed in the small size of the tub, the configuration (and lack different configurations) of the racks. I measured my Maytag tub before I left. The Bosch was considerably smaller depth wise and a little less wide. I took my tallest drinking glass, my largest skillet and a cookie sheet. The upper rack had to be raised to accommodate the cookie sheet (and it still wouldn't sit straight). The drinking glass wouldn't fit in the top rack (upright). My largest skillet didn't fit in the Maytag so of course, didn't fit in the Bosch. Customizing the rack spacing was almost non-existent. The smaller interior and rack configuration was a deal breaker. I bought (keeping fingers crossed) the KitchenAid Superba EQ Arcitect II series. Model # is KUDE60FVBL. KitchenAid is actually the brand I was going after at first. The dB rating is 46 vs 45 on the Bosch model I wanted. kWh is 294 vs 259. That's probably using the heated dry option which I won't be using.

antss, tall tub maintenance issue...an appliance tech site I came across last night during my research.
I've dropped plenty of things on my plastic door. It still looks brand new. I've gotten kinda clumsy in my old(er) age.
time indicator...I'm a "micromanager" from WAY back (lol) I don't know why it matters. Maybe because I've had it for the last 10 years and I'm used to it.

haus_proud...the very first thing I noticed when I opened the door was the interior size. Thought it must be an optical illusion so I whipped out my trusty tape measure and sure enough, it was much more shallow than what I'm used to. I think it measured 19 1/2" deep My Maytag is 23" deep. The width was just maybe 1/2" smaller. We're empty nesters too but only do a load every 2, sometimes 3 days. I'm one of those that won't run the dw till it's FULL.

mindstorm...you STILL here? (g) Do you remember me from my 2002 kitchen/office remodel (and the "Monster Den" add on)? Then there was the 2004 entry and guestroom remodel and the 2007 master bathroom, bedroom and dining room remodel. One more room to go and it'll be time to start over agin (lol)
Kicking the door closed...habit I've developed since bending causes major pain in lower back and left leg. It's just a tap with the heel of my right foot. The door is so light it doesn't take much to bump it up enough to catch it with my hand.
Features...no, I don't need a load of fluff. What I do need is it to simply do it's job very well, very quietly and as economically as possible. It just so happens those qualities come on the higher end models. My husband was not too happy when he saw rows and rows of $300, $400 and $500 dishwashers. I needed to spend $1000+ WHY?? :o Lowes listed it for $1275. They matched a competitor at $1149 plus (after I asked the manager) I got their 10% off all appliances over $xxx deal. Final price before tax was $1035.

idrive65...well I DID plan on "kicking" the dw door but I guess I'll have to change my ways. I did a few test kicks in the stores and it can be done but maybe I should be kinder and gentler :)
I'm back. DW is ordered. Appliance shopping when it's 110 degrees (not exaggerating) is not on my list of "fun things to do"!
I didn't get the Bosch. I wanted it, I really did...till I saw it. I'm sure it cleans wonderfully, is super quiet and energy efficient. And those were my 3 main goals for a new dw, but I was disappointed in the small size of the tub, the configuration (and lack of different configurations) of the racks. I measured my Maytag tub before I left. The Bosch was considerably smaller depth wise and a little less wide. I took my tallest drinking glass, my largest skillet and a cookie sheet. The upper rack had to be raised to accommodate the cookie sheet (and it still wouldn't sit straight). The drinking glass wouldn't fit in the top rack without leaning it considerably. My largest skillet didn't fit in the Maytag so of course, didn't fit in the Bosch. Customizing the rack spacing was almost non-existent. The smaller interior and rack configuration was a deal breaker. I bought (keeping fingers crossed) the KitchenAid Superba EQ Architect II series. Model # is KUDE60FVBL. KitchenAid is actually the brand I was going after at first. The dB rating is 46 vs 45 on the Bosch model I wanted. kWh is 294 vs 259. That's probably using the heated dry option which I won't be using.

antss, tall tub maintenance issue...an appliance tech site I came across last night during my research.
I've dropped plenty of things on my plastic door. It still looks brand new. I've gotten kinda clumsy in my old(er) age.
time left indicator...I'm a "micromanager" from WAY back (lol) I don't know why it matters. Maybe because I've had it for the last 10 years and I'm used to it.
Question about the drain hose...I noticed they were all a "corrugated" plastic. Salesman said it made for nosier drainage but that the material was necessary for the "high loop" install. Can a rubber hose bend well enough for this "high loop" installation and would it be quieter?

haus_proud...the very first thing I noticed when I opened the door was the size of the tub. Thought it must be an optical illusion so I whipped out my trusty tape measure and sure enough, it was much more shallow than what I'm used to. I think it measured 19 1/2" deep. My Maytag is 23" deep. The width was just maybe 1/2" smaller. We're empty nesters too but only do a load every 2, sometimes 3 days. I'm one of those that won't run the dw till it's FULL.

mindstorm...you STILL here? (g) Do you remember me from my 2002 kitchen/office remodel (and the "Monster Den" add on)? Then there was the 2004 entry and guestroom remodel and the 2007 master bathroom, bedroom and dining room remodel. One more room to go and it'll be time to start over again (lol)
Kicking the door closed...habit I've developed since bending causes major pain in lower back and left leg. It's just a tap with the heel of my right foot. The door is so light it doesn't take much to bump it up enough to catch it with my hand.
Features...no, I don't need a load of fluff. What I do need is it to simply do it's job very well, very quietly and as economically as possible. It just so happens those qualities come on the higher end models. My husband was not too happy when he saw rows and rows of $300, $400 and $500 dishwashers. I needed to spend $1000+ WHY?? :o Lowes listed it for $1275. They matched a competitor at $1149 plus (after I asked the manager) I got their 10% off all appliances over $xxx deal. Final price before tax was $1035.

idrive65...well I DID plan on "kicking" the dw door but I guess I'll have to change my ways. I did a few test kicks in the stores and it can be done but maybe I should be kinder and gentler :)
I think I'll be happy with the KA rack configurations. They definitely had more flexibility and my large cookie sheet and a 9x13 pan fit nicely. I hope I made a good decision. I know there will be some changes and I'll have to get used to loading the dw differently. Lead time for the (special order) dw is up to 26 days. In "Lowes talk" that's about 52 days! ;)
Thanks to ALL for your advice and comments.

Monica