I looked at all of the Miele dishwashers and yesterday purchased an Optima. The showroom was in Tampa and stocks only high-end appliances. After working with the sales person and going over features, I ended up with the lower priced Optima. I just didn't need all the extra wash setting which were things like "cold rinse with no rinse aid" and "hot rinse with no rinse aid". The main difference with the La Perla was the automatic close feature. It also had a large digital display that I did not want because I'm using a custom panel with "incognito" controls.

I would only buy a Miele DW, but find the LaPerla and Excella too gadget-heavy and over-engineered (just MHO). In real everyday use, you'll use just 3-4 of their 11 programs, if that. I too think the Miele Optima is the best mix of number of functions and performance. Also, the Optima is still expensive enough, and blingy enough, if you're interested in that aspect.

I bought the Excella for our old house, and I miss it, since we recently moved to a house with the Incognito. I liked the Excella much better than the Incognito. I can't remember now why I picked it over the La Perla, but I remember that I looked at both.

We used quite a few of the cycles, though not all. It is very quiet; we've had people open it a number of times while it's running because they didn't hear it, and we've had dinner with guests in the kitchen with the dw running.

The Incognito is a display that is fully integrated. You can get it on the models except the Excella. So, if you want your control panel hidden then the Excella is not an option.

Note you can get the La Perla II four ways - with front panel controls, with hidden controls and a stainless steel front panel, either way that accepts a custom front panel.

One thing to consider when deciding between the Optima and La Perla is that in addition to the bells and whistles the latter has a sensor to implement an "auto" setting that washes according to how dirty the dishes are, and is also quieter in operation than the Optima.

Thank you very much all!

I'm leaning toward La Perla II in SS now and kucharsk's reply (thank you!) brings up another question for Miele owners:

why did you pick up specific control panel (hidden or front) over the other? I'd prefer to have hidden controls, but somebody mentioned that touchscreen has longer problem free life.

Thanks!

I personally went integrated as I like the clean SS front panel and the handle provides a great place to hang a dish towel.

Quite frankly I'm also not particularly thrilled with the look of the La Perla II front panel controls.

Unless Miele has changed this since 2007, our Excella is fully integrated, with the controls hidden in the top of the door, and a custom panel to match our cabinetry. The LaPerla was not able to be integrated, so that drove our choice. I debated between the Optima & Excella, and decided in favor of the racking & extra cycles that the Excella provides. We LOVE the Excella.

Yes, Miele has changed this with the release of their "G 2002" series of DWs.

The Excella is no longer available with the door top controls, only with front panel controls.

If you want the fully integrated door-top controls, you have to jump from the Optima to the La Perla II, probably to drive sales of the latter.

Here is a link that might be useful: Miele USA 2009 Dishwasher Line