We just ordered a pair of BI36 units. The 650 you refer to is an over under unit and the replacement is the BI 36U.

This is from the SZ site:

It is an exciting time at Sub-Zero with the launch of our new line of built-in refrigeration. To help get you acquainted with this new product line, the following are some important points you will want to consider when specifying these products:

New model numbers. The new built-in will replace the existing 600 Series. This means that all model numbers will change. For example, Model 650, a 36" wide over-and-under unit, will now be Model BI-36U. The built-in design guide (PDF file) has a reference chart to help you choose the correct model.
All panel sizes have changed. An updated door and grille design require different panel sizes than the 600 Series. Review the built-in design guide (PDF file) for all of your specification needs and be sure your cabinet manufacturers understand the changes.
More design options.You still have the classic stainless, framed and overlay options. A new option is the flush inset application, allowing you to design the refrigerator in flush with surrounding cabinetry. Combine this with new curved and pro handle options, and you have more design flexibility than ever before.
WhatÂs new on the inside? WhatÂs not? From microbiological water filtration and air purification to new low-temperature storage drawers, new features have been added to keep your food and water as fresh as possible. Combined with our dual refrigeration system, food preservation has been taken to the next level with our new built-ins.

The changes seem a bit like marketing jargon. Dimensions are all the same. Does anyone have any hands on experience and knows if there are any concrete differences between the 650 and 36BI?

new low-temperature storage drawer
hmmmmm
The Jenn-air that I bought 3 years ago has that and they are also (all 3), individually adjustable.

Mdev - "changes seem a bit like marketing jargon. Dimensions are all the same" jargon yes, dimensions ............................

NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO.

Does anyone have any hands on experience and knows if there are any concrete differences between the 650 and 36BI?

YES,

there are now water and air filters that are new and/or changeable by the customer.

the interior has a bit of a different layout with and instruction card & food guide IN the unit.

there is a possibility for remote monitoring via ethernet.

the hinges are different

the panel sizes are different

the grill is now hinged

and I think the leveling system has changed a bit.

the case size is different and will not not retrofit an exsisting 6xx model IF you had it installed between 2 cabinets or panels with 36" span between them. This is/was a common big boy designer application even though it wasn't detailed in the SZ guide.

Thanks for the detailed info re: the differences.

Wow- how could I POSSIBLY live without the remote ethernet monitoring feature??? That is right up there with having my pantry email me every time I run out of bread!

So I am feeling pretty good about my recent purchase. I just got a brand new 36" 650 Overlay model for less than 4k, factory sealed w/ warranty.

I am going to take my 3k+ savings and buy an air purifier on amazon for $15. The savings just paid for my washer AND dryer- yipee!

antss

"the case size is different and will not not retrofit an exsisting 6xx model IF you had it installed between 2 cabinets or panels with 36" span between them. This is/was a common big boy designer application even though it wasn't detailed in the SZ guide."

We are considering the Sub-Zero BI-36U/S. I am confused about the spacing you mention above. Was the older 650 model designed to be installed in a 36-inch wide space? I think the specification for the new BI-36U/S is slightly less than 36-inches and I was assuming that must have been the same for the previous 650 model. I am hoping this won't be a problem if the unit we end up with needs to be replaced later with another model. Hopefully not any time soon! :)

The rough opening for the new BI-36U/S Classic Stainless model is exactly the same as it was for the previous model 650. That is 35-1/2" wide by 83-3/4" height. The overall case dimensions are also exactly the same. 36" wide by 84".

That being said, if you're going for one of the flush inset models or for a model with door panels, the dimensions for the customer provided door panels have apparently changed. The rough opening dimension has not, and is the same as for the Classic Stainless Steel models. There are, however, special requirements for a flush inset installation, which are detailed in the Sub Zero Installation Instructions.

Here is a link that might be useful: Sub Zero Quick Reference Guide

"Was the older 650 model designed to be installed in a 36-inch wide space?"

Sort of.

The official way was/is for you to have 35 1/2" opening and abutt the flanges onto the cabinetry or most often side panels. The trick way was to allow 36", and place the flanges between the side panels giving a more flush look. The new generation has addressed this look with the flush inset model, but that has it's own nuances - like a 38" width!

The doors and hinge geometry have changed so that they will rub the side panels if you retrofit a 6xx installed in 36". That's another reason the panel sizes have change too. This is prob. not the majority of installs out there, but there are a lot. I know one designer that sat on SZ design team for this generation that's done hundreds of 6xx installs that way.

All of this is moot for a new install.

wa8b- your post may confuse some people - The new Flush Inset model requires a 38" wide rough opening AND 26 1/4" depth to install. It will not work with less, or the r.o. of the other models.

wa8b & antss

Thanks for the additional information and clarification! If we go with a Sub-Zero, we will probably use the classic stainless steel model. I don't think we want to add the extra space to needed install it flush inset. The location is tight as it is.

Antss - I think you're mistaken, and it's your posting that's likely to confuse people. As I wrote earlier, the rough opening specification for BI-36U is 35-1/2 wide by 83-3/4" tall. That is exactly the same as the rough opening for the previous 650 model. If you're replacing a model 650 (or a 550, for that matter) wirh a new BI-36U/S Classic Stainless model, a framed panel model, or an overlay model, it will slide right into the same space that the old model was in. No alteration is necessary.

Only the new Flush Inset models require slightly different clearances to allow the larger door fronts to swing unimpeded and to match up with the cabinet door fronts on surrounding cabinetry.

If you're installing a new Flush Inset model, the rough opening is still 35-1/2" (between the mounting cleats) by 83-3/4". The difference is the way that allowance needs to be made for the refrigerator door panels, which are 37" wide, and thus wider than the appliance case. The door panels on a flush inset model requires 38" of space in front of the side mounting cleats and between the doors or drawer fronts on either side of the refrigerator. See the diagrams in the Sub-Zero instruction manual. The rough opening in the cabinet carcass (or between the cleats), however, remains unchanged from the rough opening specification on earlier models -- 35-1/2" x 83-3/4" with a minimum of 24" depth to the front of the mounting cleats on either side of the appliance.

See pages 8 & 9 of the Sub Zero Installation Instructions at the link below. It's all clearly illustrated.

Crazykitchen54 - If you're going with the Classic Stainless Steel model, the installation specification for the rough opening dimensions are exactly the same as the specification for older models.

Here is a link that might be useful: Sub Zero BI-XX Installation Instructions

wa8b, We took a closer look at them both too and I think you are spot on. The dealer told me it is "much easier" to install custom panels to the exterior with the new BI-36, but that wasn't enough to compel us to spend almost twice as much.

wa8b - I'll grant you that my post is confusing , really confusing. But, I am correct. The doors on the new stainless are bigger than on the 6xx models - you can bank on it.

The difficultly comes in IF you are retrofitting a 6xx with a new generation AND are doing it in a 36" opening.

See the pic below, this is straight out of the SubZero catalog and was in the promo lit they gave out for a while. It's a 650 installed between 2 , 3/4" stainless steel panels spaced 36" apart. If you try to put a new BI in there it won't work, trust me.

Sorry about the jumble, like I just said none of this really matters for new construction.

Here is a link that might be useful: SZ 6xx in 36

Antss - I'm not sure what I was supposed to figure out from the photo, other than that particular installation, while very stylish, doesn't seem typical of what most people do in their homes.

The fact remains, the specified rough opening dimensions for the old model 550's and model 650's was 35-1/2" wide by 83-3/4" high. The specified rough opening for the new model BI-36 Classic Stainless, Framed or Overlay versions are still 35-1/2" wide by 83-3/4" high. Just the same as it's always been. Only the new FLUSH INSET models have a somewhat different rough opening specification to accommodate their wider doors.

I'm not at all clear why you keep mentioning a 36" wide rough dimension. The specification has always been 35-1/2". If you look at the specifications in the installation manual, it's all plainly illustrated.

I keep mentioning it because a great many designer used to spec and install 600 series in 36" openings. It kinda separated the big boys from the Joneses after everyone and their brother started getting SZ's in the late 80's. It was never detailed in the design guide or "officially" sanctioned but there were many in house and traveling displays that were done that way. Especially the older full overlay models.

The photo was to show you a 6xx series installed in a 36" opening. That photo was officially used by Sub Zero in National and Global marketing. They knew that unit was a 36" install too. If those homeowners ever go to swap in a 36BI for that fridge there will be a problem with the doors binding OR seeing the unit's unfinished sides if the installer pulls the unit forward enough to stop the binding.

In retrospect it was a bad idea to mention it in this thread since it's mostly about new construction now. However , I'd rather the info be out there about replacements now; then see a post in which someone is crying for help that their new BI unit door is binding against their cabinetry after a swap out of a 6xx series. It may not happen to everyone, but if it saves one person a hassle I think it's worth it.