From your combo choices, I vote for the SZ/Wolf combo for all of the factors you list as most important to you.

Thanks. We feel like it is down to SZ/Wolf and Therm

Why the need to match fridge to range? Especially if you panel the fridge, then there is no cosmetic matching issue to speak of.

But: speaking as a Therm/Lacanche owner, it's hard to argue with the SZ/Wolf combo. I think Viking and GE are out based on your criteria numbers 1 and 4. I think 3 is pretty much irrelevant as it's a wash with most unless you raise the open vs closed burner debate.

That leaves 2: my personal bias is that the Therm/Lacanche combo wins the Looks competition, but obviously that's totally personal. Even ignoring the range, I like the Therms much better appearance-wise: while the BI may be an upgrade vs the older 600's, I still find the overhead grill to be very obtrusive: I think it defeats the whole purpose of integrated panels. You see it and think "Oh yeah, that's the SZ" whereas with the Therms, depending on hardware, folks say "where's the fridge?"

Of course reliability and service may be a Therm issue: I'll see. But at least I'd consider Therms plus a Wolf (or the LC :-]

Good points. As far as looks go, I agree with you regarding the SZ. We would probably go panelled and flush inset which is a new option to make it look integrated. I still think teh Therms are more "integrated" looking unless you pay more for the 700 series SZ

drjay: even as someone who chose otherwise, I'd be hard pressed to argue that the SZ/Wolf combo is not the "safest" choice.

Thanks again.

We have ruled out Viking and Monogram. BTW, out of curiousity, why does it seem that every cooking show and celebrity chef out there use Viking? I am sure it has to do on some level with money and politics. :)

Right now we are leaning toward Thermador. The columns are sweet and highly customizable (we will most likely go with a pair of 30" units panelled). As far as the range, we like both the Wolf and Thermador Pro Grand. I do like the titanium surface of the Thermador griddle more than the Wolf griddle which becomes seasoned over time.

Not to make trouble :) But plenty of people including myself use Viking and love it. And there are plenty of people who have had problems with Wolf and Subzero - just do a search on GW or anywhere on the internet. In fact there is a posting about a Wolf recall below. And if you are concerned about resale, most "normal" folks who do not heavily research these issues like the folks here on GW, whether justifiably or not, are impressed by Viking and SZ, have not heard much of Wolf and are not impressed by Thermador. Just my 2 cents. Good luck...

Good points. Many builders and even some appliance salespeople are not as informed as the people here on GW. My builder and appliance salesman told me that Viking was the best BY FAR. :) This translates to the general public as well seems like.

Drjay, i have a Wolf AG range and SZ fridge and have been completely pleased with both. Great build quality and customer service (if you need it). I almost went with Bluestar for the range and Kitchenaid for the fridge but decided on SZ/Wolf after lots of agonizing and I'm glad I did - no regrets. I've had the Monogram built-in fridge in a previous home and I had problems with it although that was 10 years ago so my experience may be too old to matter. I do think Monogram makes a very nice DF range (assuming DCS is still the manufacturer) so I don't think you'd go wrong there. I disagree re: Viking having a better reputation generally than Wolf. I think that most people who've heard of Viking have probably heard of Wolf as well, even if they are not appliance junkies. SubZero and Wolf are pretty big names although I didn't buy for the name but for solid construction, performance, and customer service. If you can afford the difference, go for it - I don't think you'll have any regrets.

Viking and SZ have the highest name recognition out there in Joe Public land. Wolf is making inroads on Viking's stronghold on public awareness. I'm seeing more and more Wolfs in interior design mags. People have heard of Thermador but it doesn't have the street cache of Viking or SZ. I do love some of the integrations I've seen with Thermador and think that they are wonderful in that application. I don't think you can go wrong with Wolf and Therm or Wolf/SZ.