After 2+ years of ownership now I will say I would easily buy this machine again... That said I have had 2 service calls... the first time the pump stopped... it was replaced and it's run great ever since...until I washed a rubber backed bath rug and the backing fell apart into crumbs and plugged the line... service cleaned that out for me and it's been great ever since... now that second time was entirely my fault... I knew the backing was old and delicate... but I was trying to push one last wash and a month or so out of the rug... dumb move... Personally the only 'guts' I've gotten near is to open the round 'access' on the bottom front which allows you to open the clean out prior to the pump... when I've checked there (other than with the rug incident) there is never anything of consequence... and it's solely been an 'execrise' in how to do it... That said... be aware that a small item (kids socks, small panties, etc) will occassionally end up in the gasket by the door, and then you have to decide if you're going to hold onto it for another load, or give it a good squeeze out and toss it into the dryer... I have found if I put this type of item in the washer first when loading the problem does not occur as often... maybe once per month or two... not great, but not a deal breaker in my mind. From comments some have posted here is seems that some bosch models do not have a spin option on the dial any longer, so I'd watch for that as IF you end up unbalanced you can get a 'soggy' load at the end and then you just need to re-spin the load after rearranging it... again, not frequent maybe I've done this 3-4 times in 2+ years??? but if you don't have the option to select only a spin, you'd have to rewash needlessly. If you don't currently have a fl machine, be aware, cycles are longer... I find my typical normal regular wash time is about 1 hour per load, unless I select the 'quick' wash of ~25 minutes. good luck with whatever you end up with.

I pondered for a looooong time the benefit of steam. In theory it sounds good. If it works as described it would be good. Although, LG is the only manufacturer that states they use "real" steam as opposed to a spray of hot water. Their machines use a "true steam generator" to produce actual steam. I almost think steam makes more sense in the washer than the dryer. LG says this about steam in the washer: The "Steam" option will add steam to the wash portion of the cycle. This adds several benefits: 1. Steam produces more heat and motion energy than water and steam molecules are smaller than water molecules, so the overall wash performance is enhanced. 2. The bonding capability to a stain is greater, so stain removal can be enhanced as well, whereas the stain option only adds more time to the wash. 3. Another reason for steam is that on the non-sanitary cycles, steam adds sanitizing benefits without the energy consumption. And� steam uses a little less water. How much will vary from depending on load size. This option is not available on all cycles. What is the temperature range of the steam option? Maximum temperature, from the nozzle, is approximately 98�C (208.4oF) and ranging from 60�C to 95�C (140oF to 203oF) in others areas of the drum. The temperature closest to the nozzle will be warmer than other areas in the drum. While at the Miele Gallery last week I enquired about steam. They told me Miele Germany has tested it and don't feel it's of any real benefit to consumers. However, when I mentioned to them that Germany has a Miele with steam they looked surprised. I can't say I believe Miele. They could easily say that as there "rationale" for not doing steam. Unfortunately the only way to really understand the true benefit of any of these features is to use them. Looking forward to your update! Here is a link that might be useful: LG Steam Washer

I've had the Bosch 500 DLX (WFVC6450UC) since Oct 2009. I also have been selling appliances since 1995. Here are a couple of things I know.... All Bosch Vision dyrers have reverse tumble - this helps clothes not get stuck in the middle and come out slightly damp when the cycle is over. They are low in temp - max temp at 140, delicate temp is 120. With a higher air flow (280 cfm), drying results are more gentle than other brands. Less heat equals less fabric damage, less shrinking, and less color fading. This is like a bigger version of a European compact dryer (Asko, Bosch, Miele) If you can buy the WFVC6450UC or WFVC4400UC with the "drum sanitize" option try to do so. These are only available at the independents. This cycle will run for 90 mins at 175 degrees. Run it once a month (no clothes) and it will break down all the soap scrud and residue. I don't know of any other mfg that does this. The Exxtra Sanitary cycle is amazing at cleaning whites, towels, sheets, dish rags, etc. 150 degree temp maintained during entire wash portion of cycle, and a 171 degree boost for 4 minutes to kill bacteria. I think Bosch service is better also. More established network of service providers and better parts distribution. Hopefully Bosch will keep parts for 10-15 years for the Vision and Nexxt full-size laundry units. They will still be making the smaller Axxis models going forward. If it matters at all, they are made in the USA.

Nancy... I have the bosch 500, on the secon floor, with a full basement, so thecnically this would be a '3rd' floor... I have no vibration issues at all, although I know others have had vibrations with just about all brands of machines... this is an issue that seems to be totally dependent upon your own house. I don't have the pedestals, didn't want them... they really don't seem to be deep enough to hold much and what would I put in them??? I keep my Charlies in a tupperware on top of the washer, and otherwise... there is nothing else in with the laundry... I don't have a wrikling problem, but I shake out items when moving between the washer to the dryer soe the 'compressed' clothes from the spin are looser... if that makes sense... and yes, you can always adjust the spin down... Adding water... I haven't figured out how to get the machine to do it automatically, but when I want more (particularly heavy thick comforter) I have opened the soap flap and pouted a bucket of water into the machine... I don't know if you can do this with the machines with a soap drawer or not... but with thw soap 'flap' you can... Repair costs in the future... no idea... we did buy through Lowes and got the extended warranty... I've had one service call and they replaced the pump... been working fine ever since... I will be 2 years old in a couple of weeks... I do at least 15 loads per week, sometimes many more... it's a great machine