Which models are you considering and comparing? I found Miele to compete with several Bosch models. Miele’s entry point I would agree is higher. I was considering a Bosch Benchmark and Miele Dimension initially - price difference at the time was about $200. I ended up with a newer Miele model that was introduced as I was placing my order for the same $$. I have had kitchen aid in 2 homes for over 20 years - this was when kitchen aid was kitchen aid and not whirlpool so I can’t comment on the current models. I wanted to move to a non heating element dishwasher for my current home. All 3 will clean well. It usually comes down to the features that you want to pay for and which rack configuration best works with your dishes/bowls/pans/etc. The 3rd rack configuration will differ at different price points as well as adjustable racks, fold down tines, stemware holders etc. The quietness factor will also impact price. Interior lighting is another adder as well as number and type of cycles. Miele has models that pop the door open slightly at the end of the cycle to enhance drying. IMO MIele has the best fit and finish as well as superb customer service. If you have not - look carefully at the interior configurations of the 3 and take you plates/bowls/pans you wash often to a showroom and see which one works best for you.

I've had Miele and Bosch - Miele purchased about 11 years ago, a new Bosch a year ago and a 15 year old Bosch at our vacation home. I bought the top of the line Miele at the time. It was twice the price of my 800 series Bosch (11 years later) and In my opinion there was nothing superior about it compared with the Bosch. I would not buy another Miele - overrated for the price in my opinion.

Miele. The lower priced Miele with the third rack is fine.

P G, what is the 'tnjd forum?' Can't find anything searching on that acronym.

Kim ‘Which models are you considering and comparing? ’. I haven’t gotten to that level of detail yet, however, they appear to be crazy expensive. I am trying to stay under 1,000. Thank you for all your information and descriptions. Customer service is so very important and Miele, fits the bill in that regard, for sure.

3katz, thank you for your perspective and experience with Bosch vs Miele. It is helpful.

dan...the third rack is the cutlery rack, I believe, the cutlery must be inserted individually. If so, how do you find inserting dirty cutlery individually in them?

Futurereiree..OMG, dang that auto correct and not proofreading. My apologies, I meant appliance forum.

Skmom, thank you for sharing. What is the noise like on your lg?

Forget KA. They are not like our parent's KA's. I had one in my condo. Bought the top of the line with the third rack. What a piece of garbage. The plastic pieces inside broke. The racks never slid in smoothly. Sometimes the detergent drawer didn't open.

We're doing Miele this time. I figure the DW is one of the most used appliances so I wanted quality this time and I decided I'd rather spend on the DW and skimp on other appliances.

My rebadged Bosch (kenmore) had a top rack only option that I miss on my pricey Miele. It also cleaned better. I do like the racks and led lighting in my Miele. Both quiet. 39 dba on my Bosch and 41 or so on the Miele.

PG - I bought what was the Miele Lumen - not sure what the new model number is. There are several Bosch options in the $1000 range or less and I think the entry level Miele is around $1000-$1100. Taking some of your dishes and seeing which model works best for you is a good idea like the above poster did.

You can put the cutlery in the rack any way you like. It'll all come out clean. If you separate it as you put it in you can more quickly transfer it to your drawer. The rack lifts out to be carried over to a drawer to unload. Either way it's pretty quick.

We bought a Miele 4 years ago and I recommend it. Does what it's supposed to do well, is so quiet when it's on - you'd never know, and haven't had any problems whatsoever. It gets used daily. From an aesthetic view, I wish it was prettier, but then again, I'm not sure I've seen a "pretty" dishwasher!

I've had two Bosch dishwashers, 2003, 2005. I thought they were great until I bought my current home, adding a new kitchen and went with a Thermador Sapphire dishwasher.

My dishes and glasses are cleaned and sparkling far beyond what the Bosch ever did. I was totally surprised. Since I bought a special deal (all appliances from Thermador), the dishwasher was free, but I paid $200 more for the top Sapphire. No regrets. Yes, they're expensive, but if it's in your budget, I recommend Thermador. I have no experience with Miele.

If I'm not mistaken, Thermador is a Bosch with a different name.

You are correct Sparky

2flyingyorkies...thank you for sharing information, very helpful, especially about the measurements and loading.

Yes, Thermador and Bosch are the same company. The appliances for sale here are usually made in North Carolina.

We went with Bosch. Miele was more than I wanted to spend. The discussions here about KA side venting that sometimes malfunctions and damages cabinets was the tipping point that helped Bosch decision. Five years later, I still am very happy with our Bosch DW and I love (!!!) the third rack for cutlery. That was well worth the price.

I've had both. They both clean the dishes, which is why you buy it. But the Miele is a better machine, and yes, I think it is worth the extra price. The one that opens the door and circulates the air with a fan to dry the dishes is my favorite.

I have a specific dilemma on this same subject!

There is a kitchen aid architect II open box at about $600 http://dishwashers.reviewed.com/content/kitchenaid-architect-series-ii-kdtm354dss-dishwasher-review

or this open box also for around $790 http://dishwashers.reviewed.com/content/ge-profile-pdt855s-series-dishwasher-review

They both were editors picks with good results on http://dishwashers.reviewed.com/ ..whatever weight that is worth.

Or there is Bosch... The bosch is what I originally considered but again, confusing to pick. No fair way to compare other then just picking a random 500 or 800 series and just going with it. Lowes only carrys a limited selection, if any, on display. With the updates for 2017, I've found lot of the online information is outdated.

They had a thermadore open box deal that I would of jumped on but the model had a history of leak complaints so it was a pass.

Also almost considering the miele with the auto door open dry for $1,400 and leak detection. The auto door is the only reason why I MAY consider blowing budget but I get torn because most people seem to do fine with bosch's drying set up..by just planning so they open the door after its done. (if I understand correctly) I like that miele is built for longevity but We plan on being in a different house before 6 or so years, if that factors in.

I have a recently installed Thermador and Miele. They both retail around $1700, but the Thermador was "free" with my range. One is on each side of my sink so have some significant head to head comparison. Both clean fine. Both are virtually silent. The rack layout is a little different, but not very much. The only obvious difference, as mentioned by a few above, is the Miele opens at the end of the cycle which helps with drying to some extent. It's a nice feature and makes a modest impact but the end result is not such a massive difference compared to the Thermador that its a must have.

I was thinking that about the miele, can I really justify double the price for that end feature when we are on a budget.

So I'm guess I'm left with one of the open box deals I posted or picking a mid range Bosch. The open box discounts are tempting, but the bosch name has the reputation.

I don't like my Bosch. It doesn't clean things well

I wish I had my Maytag back.

Sue

I have an 8 year old Miele Diamante that works well. As part of the Thermador package during my kitchen renovation I can receive a free panel ready Sapphire dishwasher and outfit it to match my cabinetry. Any opinions on keeping the 8 year old Miele vs. a new Thermador that has a 2 year warranty. I don't have another use for the free dishwasher. I can get it with a stainless front and pro handle and try to sell also. Thanks in advance.

we have the sapphire thermador that was a open box special and like it, but we were long in need of an upgrade. I'm such a fan of the third drawer. We got it with the stainless front.

I guess I'm no help for you on if you should keep it over the Miele or how long the working life is on dishwashers now a days. Perhaps get it with the stainless front so you aren't committed to keeping it if you decide not to.

I had a Bosch for 11 years and just bought another one. It cleans flawlessly but you do have to use a good detergent that works with your water.

I know this thread is 6 months old but for future information seekers, here is my experience. I just replaced my 8 year old KitchenAid, which I had paid $1,100 for. I bought a Bosch 300 series for $799 and could not be happier with its performance! There is absolutely no comparison to the KitchenAid. I have challenged the Bosch with dishes that the KA could never clean - oatmeal remnants that have dried up in a bowl all day, smoothie residue in glasses that have been sitting all day and baked on chicken wing scraps on cooking racks. All of these came out sparkling clean in the Bosch. The KA could have never cleaned these dishes.