And to add on to my previous post and help clear up some of the differences I will talk about European vs. American dishwashers. Traditionally, the two functional differences between the two have been drying and filtration. American dishwashers had the grinder (like the GE you're looking at) whereas European dishwashers have a cleanable filters. This is becoming less so, because American dishwashers are moving more and more towards the European method of filtration. Pretty much all the top of the line dishwashers (including my GE) have the cleanable filters, and I believe Whirlpool has migrated completely to this in all their brands. I have to say, having had the grinder in my old Kitchenaid, I don't really miss it. I was worried at first about the filter being high maintenance, but it really isn't. As for drying/heating the base system for American dishwashers is a dual purpose heating element at the bottom that both heats the water for washing/rinsing and heats the air for drying if you pick that option. If you step up you'll get a fan that actually moves air as well as heating it. Basic European dishwashers like that Bosch will just have condensation drying. The pros to this are that its energy efficient and doesn't need that big heating element at the bottom. This means they can use a smaller inline water heater which does a better job heating the water for washing. If you step up in European dishwashers you get a fan also. I think the fan makes a big difference. I would guess the reason my Kitchenaid out-dried my GE though is instead of having a single purpose element, it had a separate element as part of the drying blower. So instead of relying on the big element at the bottom to heat the air for drying, preheated air was blown into the tub. To my knowledge there aren't any dishwashers with that design produced anymore.

I do use rinse aid in my Bosch. Dunno what would happen if I didn't. The third rack is awesome. So, so awesome. I got it by accident because my GC found an 800 series for the same price as the 300 series machine I had specified. I use mine for silverware. The way the third rack works, I can sort the silverware for washing, which makes unloading it a breeze (scoop up all the spoons in one hand and drop them in their spot). I took the basket out and I can fit so, so, so much more in the bottom rack now. A whole party's worth of plates! Or mixing bowls, plus the dinner dishes! I do so much less handwashing now. I use the normal cycle all the time so I don't care about all the other options, except that I do use the delayed start pretty much every day. I load the dishwasher after dinner and set it to run a couple of hours later. That way I can add the random post-dinner snack items, without risk of forgetting to start the machine before I go to bed.

Like Heather, I, too, was surprised to find smaller price differentials between the two brands. I happened to be shopping for a replacement DW a couple of months ago. This was just as Bosch and Miele were releasing their updated model lines. I mention this because (at least, in my area), there have been deals offered on warehouse stock and floor models which may be worth considering, particularly if you are interested in a Miele. For your question about potential differences in the quality of the interiors of the two brands' models, I would say that Bosch models I saw all had nylon racks and parts much as the Miele models did. Miele's racks are designed to provide loading flexibility with few movable tines, etc. The new Bosch models' racks seemed to be a bit lighter in construction and seemed to have even more moving parts than they used to have. Because of that, I second homepro's recommendation to take some of your dishes and etc. down to a showroom (or showrooms). See how your things fit and whether you like or dislike the loading patterns for the models you are considering. Like 3katz4m3, I found I slightly preferred the Bosch models' layout. But that is very much personal preference so YMMV. You mentioned that your 8 y.o Bosch had developed leaks and asked if the latest Bosch models are more durable than your old one. That seems hard to judge. My original bottom-of-the-line Bosch DW lasted from the 1990s to 2011 with the only work being replacement of a worn latching release spring for the detergent dispenser. I bought a new DW when the control panel burned out and replacements were no longer available. The new DW was a Bosch 500 series model. It developed cracks in the plastic pump and sump housings this March just after the five year warranty ran out. The parts assemblies seemed very expensive and the replacement process seemed (to me) onerous enough to make me look at a new DW. I can say that, to my eye when shopping back in March, the new Bosch models did look better to work on than the ones from five to eight years ago. Whether that makes them more durable is hard to say. Miele DWs have a longstanding reputation for being built like tanks and there is the company's vaunted mantra of "designed for a 20 year useful life" or "7500 cycles." That is an admirable yet aspirational expectation; Miele's extended warranty is only five years. (Canadians can sometimes get 10 year extended warranties from Miele.) Some posters here have had Miele dishwashers last for a long time, but some have not. An additional consideration from previous threads on Miele DWs is that you probably will not need service, but if you do need service, you want to be sure that Miele factory service is readily available where you live as opposed to dealer coverage which may not be as good. One small thing of possible note: if you want a smudge resistant stainless steel finish on the exterior, Miele DWs had it and the Bosch ones did not, at least when I was shopping in March. On cleaning performance, I cannot speak directly to the abilities of the current Benchmark and 800 series because I bought one of the new 300 series models. What I can say is that the new 3-rack 300 series model takes about 15% longer to run a full cycle than its 500-series predecessor did, but does an excellent job. One difference between the machines is what Bosch calls a "Clean 30" cycle. So far, for me, the new DW's "Clean 30" cycle (which I now use frequently) has worked as well as the standard long cycles on its predecessor. ETA: Although the cycle is called "Clean 30," the timer display always shows it taking 38 to 40 minutes on my unit. I suspect you would see the same with the new Benchmark and 800 series models. As best I could tell when shopping, the higher level Bosch models offered those and additional cycle choices, additional rack flexibility, and, as Heather noted, there were a couple of the more expensive models that also offer built-in water softeners. Before starting out on my shopping trip, I had read some older posts here saying that Miele offered an automatic water softening system. Don't know if they still do that but the Miele model I saw when shopping (a "Crystal") required testing water hardness and programming the water softener much as the Bosch ones do. If memory serves, the price of that Miele was less than the Bosch Benchmark with the water softener (at least on that day). It also offered the end-of-cycle auto-door-opening feature which enhances final drying. I passed on it mainly because the cost was over my planned budget and our town's water is not all that hard. And a final FWIW : even the new Bosch 300 series models are rated at 44 dBA for quietness. Some of the Benchmark models are even less. The low-to mid range Miele models that I looked at were rated at 46 dBA as was my previous Bosch 500 model. The 2 dBA difference seems negligible to me.

Ah, well then the cheapest upgrade from bottom rack that you have. Is the 500 series, having half tine up front and a single rear long adjustable tine near the rear. It is half way to the 800 series. Bosch made their series price, based on versatility morr than cleaning ability. Pretty much all models clean the same, but options are what drives costs. I admit whole heartedly the options with racks is a waste of resources. They were smart in making all models based on a great design, but interior changes to racks is the driving point to sell higher end models. The 800 series top rack has ball bearing rollers. To me its not worth the additional cost, for just a wee bit more smoothness. All the other racks don't have bearing rollers, so 1 of 3 racks is your upgrade. Oh well. Like I stated, there are a few big distributors, who have resorted to salvaging new but damaged washers for replacement parts, due to supply chain. Interior parts are being sold at discount rates, because there is hardly any requests for them. You may find spending an extra $50 or so for a better lower rack for your needs, more worth while than dealing with how to stack with bowls. It may not be a need now option, but something to think about later on. Oddly enough low teir and top teir racks are made the same, just non adjustable tines are not added to the construction for higher level racks, for room to install adjustable tines. I found you can move the fold down cup and wine glass shelves on the top rack, one level down, for normal sized cups, and move the rear one to the opposite side up front. Makes room for both cereal / salad bowls and cups to be cleaned on the same rack. Though having the shelves split, limits to just 4 cups, from the 6 that could have shared between the shelves. I am thinking of modification of the racks, if I come accross a need. The top rack can easly add extra tines, but you need to know how to remove the non adjustable tines for snapping in the adjustable ones. I have a rotory cutter, so its not difficult too do for me. I looked into the cost of all the tines and components to snap them in, as it is cheaper than buying just one top basket, to have both be fully adjustable, like the top models.