I would not put too much stock in "few negatives" when looking at built in ref. Neither of these models has been around that long.

Thermador is entirely new into the ref. business and the factory making those units is also brand new. Liebhherr ref. is a very small division of a global mega clongomerate. In the grand scheme, the suits really don't care that much about a few ref. going to America. This is their 3rd time selling ref. , and then pulling out, in the U.S. in the last 15 years. Neither have sufficient market penetration to chalk up any measurable negative comments because there just aren't enough unit out there.

GE and Sub Zero on the other hand, have sold truck loads a week for decades. They are naturally going to have complaints.

Better to choose a unit based on storage needs, astetics, budget, service in YOUR area, and local dealer experience and expertise.

It's a good point about relative number of units sold as compared to number of complaints, and we have thought about that. I have an emotional aversion to Subzero because we are replacing a Sub that has had nothing but problems - among other things, the fridge compressor has broken twice, and then most recently the solenoid valve for the icemaker failed somehow and allowed the unit to flood, freeze completely, and overflow out into the kitchen (which of course happened when we were on vacation so that the flood went through the kitchen floor and flooded the basement also, but I digress....).

I didn't realize that Liebherr had sold in the US before and then pulled out, but my understanding is that they have had a good reliability record with their refrigerators in Europe. One of the things making us lean more towards the Liebherr is how new and relatively untested the Thermadors are. My main concern about the Liebherr is the freezer space, but we do have an extra freezer so it shouldn't be a huge issue.

My local appliance dealer sells every brand imaginable and services them all themselves. They recommend the Subzero and the Liebherr most highly.

I considered the same thing. I got the Thermador (30 + 18) because a) I loved the totally integrated look of the Thermador and b) I couldn't get my head around the tiny freezer in the Leibherr and c) I wanted cold water/ice in the door. I was very sorry to not get the Leibherr's BioFresh -- it sounded really great.

Thermador's been good so far. Difficult to install and get looking perfect because there is so much more to do with the fully integrated look. You can see in in my slide show -- search for the "my done modern kitchen" thread.

Personally I would rethink the Sub-Zero and consult more with your dealer and put your hands on them a little more. The Freedom and Leibherr are both made overseas and seem very European in their storage space. The freedom is also very hard to install when doing 2 side by side.

One consideration would be service. Does the dealer service the Leibherr? Can he get parts? SZ and Thermador would probably get the leg up there. If definitely no SZ, then I guess I would go Thermador since they are probably more established in the after the sale service, but you may want to check that.

For what it's worth, I needed a new door for my Liebherr, no fault on their behalf (A flying fork incident-but I digress), I called 1-866-LIEBHERR and had it within a couple of days. The part itself also didn't cost me an arm and a leg (surprisingly). Also, was quite easy to install, although their phone people weren't exactly helpful when it came to instructions. "It's not that difficult, you can do it yourself. Just install it in the reverse order of removing it." I found instructions online, and it took me less that 30 minutes. Believe me, I am not mechanically inclined.

In the service and install training I went through with the Thermador Freedom units I was told these unit we being made in special area in the Bosch refrigeration plant in Turkey. Bosch is not new to refrigeration as I think they have been producing refrigerators since the 50's

We recently purchased the 48" Liebherr with biofresh and are very pleased. Produce keeps infinitely longer than in any of our previous fridges and everything seems evenly cold. It is extremely quiet too. The only drawback may be that if you need much freezer capacity and don't have the option of a separate freezer, it probably will not work for you. That being said, the individual drawers are very easy to organize and see into, none of this losing items in the back or in the bottom of a vast freezer basket. I can't speak to service as we have had no issues in our first month. I looked at the Thermador columns and thought they seemed very expensive and not worth the money unless one wanted to put them into a contemporary kitchen and lose them into a wall of cabinetry. It is a sleek look. Good luck!

Thanks for the input, everyone. We decided to go with the Liebherr 48" built-in with Biofresh. As it turns out, I was mistaken about the price information and the Thermador columns were going to be almost $1000 more, so the decision was made a little easier. (well, a lot easier!)

It is being delivered next week and I will post an update then.

Thanks,
Lisa

I haven't had a chance to look at the Liebherr units yet. How much are they? I have fallen in love the the Thermador columns. I would like to get the 30" freezer and 30" refridge. I don't plan to place them together right together....I have room to place them in different places in my kitchen. The Thermador salesperson told me the Bosch is the exact same unit for less money and also less a few bells and whistles that I don't care about like the electronic shelf adjustment. I like the hinges and how well build the Bosch and Thermdor towers seem.

Does anyone know if sub zero has 30" freezer or fridge units?

I think SZ gives you 27" and 36" options.

I have the Thermador -- 30" fridge and 18" freezer. I love them. If I had a space like yours and had room for a pair of 30's, I'd sure do it. And I wouldn't hesitate to look at the Bosch. The elevator shelf is not an attraction to me. It's the basic design and construction that I am sure carries over into the Bosch line that I love -- Bosch just wasn't an option when I got mine.

BTW, my dishwashers are Thermador too -- because they were basically a Bosch DW with a Thermador name plate on the rack and they cost $100-150 less (each) than a Bosch version if you were going to get them panel ready. I think Thermador was more if you got the stainless front and handles to match the other apliances -- which is probably why they market them with the Thermador name in the first place.

Another question?
Does anyone know if the Bosch Integra bottom mount and the Thermador KBULT or KBURT bottom mount refrigerators are manufactured in the same place? Are they still being made in Turkey? Any feedback or info on these models would be great.