On the replacing it now issue: I'd hand wash until the reno. Unless you have a growing family and lots of dishes, then I might reconsider. Getting the old one out and the new one in is a major project, not necessarily one you want to take on right this minute. Besides, a wait will give you time to explore exactly what you want in a Miele, or even something else.

Our last dishwasher only lasted about 18 mos., which is not considered "unusual" in today's dishwasher market. I was so pissed that I wouldn't buy a new one, so I hand washed for a couple of years. It was OK, but then our kids are grown and (mostly) out, so that makes a difference. We finally got a new one and it's doing much better. Just a thought-handwashing isn't all that bad.

"Should be interesting removing the old one."

A sawzall with a long metal cutting blade can reach the side support structure front the front and 'shorten; the height enough to get it out usually.

Depending on the counter height after you raise the floor to tile height you may only be able to install a 'handicap height' DW.

I would really try to wait on the new DW instead of letting the old dimensions drive the decision.

The other alternative would be to raise the counter height temporarily for a new DW and then deal with the whole mess at renovation time (even tile removal).

I think mine was the cheapest. It has the stainless front and the 3 racks. I love it and wish I had bought 2 of them instead of one Miele and one Bosch! I have 8 kids and I don't even have to soak dishes anymore. Everything I put into comes out clean.

UH! I really, really dislike washing dishes. And if we don't have a dishwasher, I'm pretty sure I'll end up doing it all the time. DH wants to see about removing the old dishwasher when he gets home tonight.

I've been exploring options. I even looked at a portable to use in the interim. Unfortunately, our pull out sprayer faucet will not work with the portable hook up. Would have to change the faucet too, back to something less desirable. My faucet is actually pretty new and I like it. But, ah, I really don't like hand washing dishes.

It pretty much boils down to the features you need/want.

If you need a water softener - the lower levels won't do it for you.

If you wash your fine china a stemware in the DW , tehn one of the middle - upper tiers is also for you.

The other thing that changes as you "move up" is the racking becomes more flexible, more wash programs are available, interior lights are added, and some even have auto opening and closing if that floats your boat.

Top to bottom the guts of the units are all the same except for the softening unit.

Thanks ant. That is helpful info.

I love my Miele. I got the lowest model and wish I had gotten the middle. The features I wish I had: water softner, time delay and a little quieter. It cleans very well, but FYI, when we were using cascade powder, it left an ugly white film on my glasses. I have since switched to Finish tabs and it's a huge improvement. We only run ours 3x week b/c it holds so much.

Can you buy one off craigslist to get you through? You can probably resale it after the reno.

michellemarie - what kind of dishwasher do you have? I feel like I have to almost wash my dishes before putting them in the dishwasher

I got the one that has time delay (one up from the bottom). I thought i wanted that but it turns out I never use it since this thing is so quiet.

The Miele's have something called Cleantouch stainless steel. It really doesn't get nasty looking like some other brands of SS. Panel ready for you will probably mean it will be naked until you are ready for the renovations and order cabs.

My Bosch is dying and never cleaned very well to begin with and I am considering a Meile. I live in a condo. We don't have a water softener. Do you have to have one to have a Meile? I have no idea what Chicago water is-soft or hard.

Mine is about 1 1/2 yrs old, the Diamonte Plus which now appears to be the Crystal 5105SC model. It was one of the lower priced models, but still has delayed start and the softener. The cleantouch stainless really lives up to the name. I only occasionally have to give it a wipe, wish all my stainless appliances were so easy.

It comes down to how many cycles and options you think you will need. I knew I wanted a china/crystal cycle for my good dishes. Other than that I use either normal or pots & pans with the Finish tabs.

Barbara48, all the Mieles above the entry model have a built in water softener that you can put water softener salt into.

You find out your water hardness from the water company. Or if you live in an area that doesn't have city water, you'll have to test it yourself. My is very soft here in San Francisco so I don't use the builtin softener.

Had to laugh when I saw your post. As I type this my old Bosch dw is making an ominous mechanical thudding that brought dh and I both running to the kitchen. This after the disposal died 2 months ago. We too are not quite ready to commit to the reno but methinks my kitchen is sending me a message otherwise.

Good luck with your choice!!

i got the lowest level miele with no softner (also in bay area) and love it! debated on softner but determined i did not need.

Thanks for the input. I like hearing real life experience. I haven't found many reviews online.

Our reno should have been done years ago. We've been living in this house almost 7 years with a really gross old dysfunctional wallpapered kitchen. I refused to do anything to it, even paint, because I knew we would be tearing it out to the studs. So now we are finally, finally! building cabinets (we are woodworkers) and the dishwasher, the last appliance left from the previous owner in the entire house, goes.

After looking at the Miele website, I think I want the Dimension G 5505 SCi. I like that it takes a custom panel, it doesn't have a bar/handle that sticks out and the control panel is on the outside. I like being able to see what options I selected while it's running and I'm hoping it counts down the time remaining like my old dishwasher. Not sure if it does that, but the picture shows a time and "duration". It's okay if it's obvious that there is a dishwasher there (the visible control panel), just thought the wood would blend a little better with the cabs than stainless. That side of the kitchen is cab, range, cab, sink, dishwasher, cab. So thought would be one less interruption of the flow. If I were to get SS that clean touch SS sounds great! I wish my fridge was like that. I don't really care if it's "naked" for now without the panel. You should see our kitchen, really ugly. A naked dishwasher would fit right in. If we really wanted to, we could build the panel right away, but I would rather not and do it all at once.

Last night my DH looked at the dishwasher and surprise, the shut off valve under the sink is frozen stuck. Can't shut it off to take the dishwasher out. The sink, dishwasher, everything is getting rearranged when we do the reno. I really don't want to waste money on a plumber fixing up this old situation that will only be ripped out soon anyway. So I'm thinking I may just have to hand wash for now. I did a dishwasher load last night and it wasn't all that bad. I can just see it becoming an inconvenience.

domino3- I think your kitchen IS sending you a message! Listen to the warning signs and get your plan in gear. Don't wait YEARS! like I did.

We have the La Perla series - I love the door popping open at the end of the cycle to finish the drying. I thought it was gimmicky but merges the European drying system (not very dry) with the US market - we want dry dishes.
I also love being able to put plastic anywhere in the dishwasher without fear of melting. (Although trying to decrease my plastic stockpile)
The silverware tray is love/hate. I love it but a few friends think it is weird. I would love to challenge them on a dishwasher load/unload - you either sort the silverware going into the dishwasher or coming out.

We love our Miele. We actually had a defective one first and after 4 1/2 years, we received a full refund. (OK, I usually don't buy extended warranties but did this time - I think I have ESP) I started over, determined to get something other than a Miele. I ended up getting another Miele and glad that I did. The other night, DH left the pea soup bowls, spoons, and pan on the counter. I was so tired and I just popped everything into the dishwasher and everything came out clean - except for one morsel on one fork!