So far we are happy with our KA Architect Series II built-in (42"). It's a new model, the ones that came out this past May. We really liked the interior on the KA the best (esp the in-door ice maker/holder for the exterior dispenser, which frees up freezer space a bit).

The only problems we encountered, were a very slight ripple at the top edge of one door (one of the screws was in too tight; the tech noticed that and loosened it to see if it would do the trick before replacing the "skin" which KA had sent to us, and voila--problem solved!), and a pinging noise while opening the fridge door that developed a few months after install. The tech lubed the hinged for us, and the pinging went away. Now the freezer door is pinging, so DH will try lubing it first, before we call for svce (someone suggested it could be a cam if the lube doesn't work, which is supposedly easy to swap).

FWIW, there are only so many choices in 36":

KitchenAid is the least expensive.
Thermador/Gaggenau are the same other than trim. New Thermadors (Freedom) are made by BSH (Bosch et al). Old ones are the same as Kitchenaid.
Viking makes fridges using an old Amana plant; Amana is owned by Whirlpool (which owns Maytag and Kitchenaid as well)
SubZero.

stay away from viking and id actually say the same for monogram...we've had several huge problems with them that GE just couldnt figure out how to fix...otherwise the K/A is a great price point and pretty well made the KBUR/LT model thermadors are K/A but a little nicer and quieter and the Sub is always excellent but almost $2k more than the K/A

Viking refrigerators are not currently made by Amana. I asked specifically about this. They were at first. Now they are making them themselves.

I agree with the OP about the interior configuration of the 36"
It's great. I haven't had trouble with mine at all but others have. Still, it's difficult to recommend the brand.

If I was buying today I would be seriously looking at the Gaggenau 36". It's not widely known, don't know the price but I've seen the unit and it has a SS interior.

There's always SZ

Also I read somewhere that Liebherr may be coming out with a 36" bottom mount later this year -- though I haven't verified that myself. I can find out about that next week.

Here is a link that might be useful: Gaggenau 36

I've heard the same rumor about liebherr although judging by their show presence in Vegas I'd tell you they are at least a year away from actually have an available model. The Gaggenau is a pruced up version of a thermador from their new facility in turkey...still unknown in terms of reliability...although really really cool(i played with the motorized shelf for 20 minutes the first time i saw it)

The gaggenau is ~$400 more than the thermador 36". It has stainless interior. Still less than SZ by a few hundred (all depending on deals you get of course, but expect spread btw Therm and Gagg. to be similar)

Liebherr's 36" won't be out until mid-2008, according to emails received from their North. Am. office.

What's the inside like on the Therm. I read glass shelves. Is it a SS interior?

Here's the inside of the Gaggenau 30 column (not the 36" bottom but they have that on their site) which is an interior config I like.

IIRC, the thermador is basically identical inside, except that it's white plastic instead of stainless on the inside. (In other words, the same plastic as the white you see on parts of the door)

The shelves may be slightly different--I think the glass has frames around it, rather than being frameless (but I'm not absolutely sure).

Thanks everyone...I did not even see the Gaggenau anywhere.
The inside looks pretty good, althought we did not like
the interiors of the Thermador 36 built-in at all.
As far as the Kitchenaid, we did not care for the freezer
section, the plastic drawers and metal bottom drawer as
opposed to basket type freezers.
I sure wish the Leibherr 36 was sooner, I would be real
interested in that one.
I am really trying to do something other than SZ.

I like stainless and all, but is that really the best material for the inside of a fridge? Does it have a sturdy enough backing so it can't dent? It somehow looks like it'd be hard to keep clean. Some one with kids needs to test this out for the rest of us.

I read that some of the Sub Zero's are being made in Mexico now. They are having problems with the evaporators on these.
If you would like to read it go to the "Automatic Washer.org" site and click on the Super forum. A repairman was telling someone this while he was fixing his.

Personally, I like the SubZero Model 736 fully integrated with the two freezer drawers. It is deeper inside than the Thermador/Bosch/Gaggenau models despite being flush with 24" deep cabinets. That's due to the location of the compressors and evaporator coils.

sparky - rumor has it Roll Royce is making limosines in China now, I heard my Lexus mechanic telling the little old lady in front of me. Don't believe everything on teh internet.

I don't know of any models that are made out of country, but it's possible. Their under counter units (non 700 series) might be or the scotsman made ice machine could be too. The 700 series was moved to Arizona, which might have ceded back to Mexico this weekend. Rest are made in Wisconsin.

I have heard of no system wide mass problems/defects this year.

BTW, the 736 has only a single compressor.

On the gaggenau s/s interior: I'm not sure--I could see it getting dents. Also, in the freezer it ddidn't look so good, since the frost on it was quite obvious. It's a look--some may like it, others not. Not sure how functional it is, although it shouldn't stain as eaasily as plastic.

To confirm...no sub's are made outside of either wisconsin or arizona, old 200 series was made in wisconsin, newer UC series is made in az alongside the 400 series(same platform) the icemaker is farmed out so im not sure where that comes from

736 does very much have 2 true compressor's, please check your source

currently 0 evap problems on the 250-300 or so sub's we have sold this year, nor those sold last year.

you could always buy the bosch version and save yourself a few hundred over the thermador.

To dent the stainless in there you'd really need to try. don't think a Perrier bottle would do it.

Stainless doesn't stain. It will get heat tint but that's not an issue inside a fridge. It wipes clean; absorbs nothing and reacts with nothing. It's considered a green material.

I've seen a Northland with stainless door shelves, which I like since my old GE door shelf now sports duct tape.

Where I live we tend to get this first and you can see most anything if you search hard enough. So I've no idea about availability elsewhere.

Just throwing it out though as I liked the inside, it was solidly made, and people seem pleased with the brand. No idea where it's made etc., however.