Research service options at your home for both brands, just in case you ever need repair. In some places it is hard to get a specific tech.....

Thanks for that advice, but we have service options in our area for both brands, so that is not a problem.

How about the 24" freezer? 18" is small, esp with the dispenser it is almost useless for a family.

We have a 30"/24" Thermador which is very similar to the Miele, its a good combo for our family of 5. The 30" is plenty of room. With Thermador you can get an external dispenser in the 24", but I don't think Miele's version offers that.

With the Miele/Thermador, I'd reconsider paneling, the integrated fridges really look great paneled, the built in such as the SZ you are looking at, not so much.

Thanks for the suggestions. Miele doesn't have a 24 inch Mastercool freezer. We were looking at the combo you have but decided against Thermador because it is now really expensive with the new fridges/freezers and unless you get everything Thermador and can take advantage of the 1-2 free promotion, it's very expensive and we know we want Miele dishwashers. The paneling sounds nice, but want the stainless to break up the all white and more expensive with the paneling.

I didn't realize the 24" was a different series

I would get the SZ if you are putting them side by side regardless and don't want to panel, seems to defeat most of the advantages of getting integrated columns.

You mention dishwasherS, are you getting two? You get one free dishwasher with the thermador, the second could be Miele, that's what we did. The difference between the two is marginal. The Miele opens at the end which helps with drying, but its hardly a night and day difference in my experience. The new model Thermador columns are indeed a pretty big jump in price from last year's model which stinks.

Avoid Miele Mastercool. Delivered New Mastercool with faulty door. the door gets stuck when closing and needs a hard push or slam to close. Miele refursed to acknolwedge this as defect and refused to fix it. The product is clearly faulty as the fridge in showroom does not have this problem at all. You are going to get poor quality and no warranty honour after purchase. Avoid Miele at all costs if you don't want defects from brand new.