Do a search on this forum for optima or Miele DW. There are a few messages that describe the Q ratings but in general the Q3 unit will be quieter than the Q1 or Q2. I think Q3 is equal to 46db. In any DW a lot depends on a good install and your surroundings.

In addition to delay start of 24 hours, the Optima has the following that the ones cheaper do not have:

Varying water temperatures - the machine uses a sensor that adjusts the wash water temp to the level of soiling which allows it to use as cool of water as possible. This can help reduce etching, save some energy and time.

More flexible racks which can accept stem ware and glasses in the bottom rack if needed, and the middle rack has removable inserts.

The ability to use the optional large plate insert. I have two but so far have never used them. You can place the insert in the lower rack and this allows you to wash plates with a diameter of 13 1/4 inches along with everything else.

Removable bottle holder - holds bottles upright - no big deal to me.

Detergent selector which allows the machine to operate differently depending on if you are using powder, gel or tabs so that you get the correct performance from them.

A water softener which measures the hardness of the incoming water for each fill and then mixes hard and soft water so that you get the correct hardness of water - helps you to reduce the amount of detergent used and may help with reducing etching and frequent DW cleanings.

A better drying system than the entry level model.

A display screen which shows operation information like delay start time and perhaps cycle time remaining.

You can find more info about all of the models from the Miele printed DW brochure book.

I hope I don't sound ignorant (or sarcastic), but why would you need/want a delay? Now I'm curiou about that (obviously have never used that feature on our Optima!).

If you do not want the noise while in the area, the power rates are lower at some time of the day.

You paid $2K for a single Optima? I'm surprised as we just bought two Excellas and even after the June 1 price increase that nailed me we paid $1900 each.

Yeah I wondered about that price but.....maybe it is the panel cost or something.

I paid $2,100 for my La Perla 18 months ago. $2,000 for an Optima seems exceptionally high.

Jerrod6- thanks for those details!

Sorry I should have specified, DW pricetag was $1800; the $2k price was including tax (around $140) and the strips that go on the side of the DW to fll in the space ($55)...the sales guy would not bargain on the price at all. :-(

As for the delay, we use it all the time because lots of times we dont want to run the DW right after dinner, (either because we have company or the kids are just starting their evening showers, and i dont want to deprive them of the hot water) but we dont want to forget to run it, which i do ALL the time if I dont use the delay.

Other times (in the morning) i'll have phone calls in the office (off of the kitchen) and I dont feel like having DW noise in the background, so i'll set it for the afternoon when i'm out run errands. (although if Mieles are so quiet, maybe that wont be an issue anymore!)

I just didnt want to give up the delay not knowing if i'd miss it.
:-)
S

I didn't think about the hot water thing--that makes sense! Running out of hot water is rarely an issue here (only me and DH), unless DH is zoning in the shower for a really loooong time!

I was thinking you wanted it because of noise, which, with the Miele, won't be much of an issue at all. We have the Optima. With the exception of start up (some motor noise and some gurgling water noise), and then draining at the end (which can be mitigated a great deal by "locking in" your sink strainer), the only sounds you really hear during a cycle are some gentle water swishing and perhaps a faint motor hum if you're paying attention to it.

Most dishwashers have their own internal water heaters so you won't run out of hot water for dishes even if everyone in your house is bathing. The heaters are electrically powered and many people are subject to higher electrical rates during weekdays (when business use is very high). You get lower rates at night.

With as quiet as these machines are today I don't think noise is that much of a concern as it used to be.

But those things aside, I am now in the habit of running the machine at night (because my old dishwasher was super loud!) and emptying in the morning. So I guess I'd be someone looking for the delay setting too!

I think you'll be very pleasantly surprised by your Miele dishwasher. Ours runs so quietly that we have to flag it when it's operating. Running out of hot water is not an issue if you hook it to cold. Hooking it to hot water saves a bit of time & energy, but then you shouldn't use the China cycle, which requires a lower temperature.

What is the temp for china cycle?

I think it varies from 98F to 118F depending on soil level.

I don't use the delay very often on my dishwasher, but I ADORE it on my washing machine (Neptune)--so if you like it, it's worth paying more for!

Thanks for this thread...I think (the price was a shocker) :o)

I had my KD order me a Miele because of an emergency size issue (that half inch smaller was a big deal in our kitchen). I don't remember model number, but we got the top of the line model and then we're having a custom panel done by Omega. I didn't ask the price...the size was the only issue and I assumed...well how much can a DW cost LOL I bet I hit 3 grand on the stupid thing. But that aside, it's nice to know that it's a good DW. We purchased the KA top of the line (I don't speak in model numbers) and really liked that DW after a lot of research.

ANyone need a new KA in a box? LMAO (Ok my neighbor just told me today she wants a quiet DW heh heh so maybe I can get rid of it) :oP anyhoo, good to know that folks like their Miele's. I was a bit worried because DH keeps saying people hate them.