My KD has an Asko and really likes it, so I'm not knocking them. I looked at them but went with Thermador, which is a Bosch with a different name plate and probably one cycle or feature different that the comp Bosch model. And inthe panel ready model, it was running $100-150 less per DW when we bought it. Since we got 2, we went with Thermador. I probably would have bought Bosch twice before if I hadn't been told by salesmen that the filter trap had to be cleaned every time you ran it. Baloney. I rinsed them a couple of times when I had something stuck in my disposal and was trying to figure out where the smell was coming from. I think I have emptied a chunck of something out of it once or twice in over a year of using each daily or every other day. The Bosch are quiet and clean well. I ususally use the light cycle and have only used the normal cycle a few times. I'm not 100% sure if I have even used the heavy duty setting. I can tell you that a light cycle may not remove baked on egg, but that doesn't surprise me either. I'm not sure anyone's would. I have read complaints that they don't dry well, but mine dry as well as any other DW I have had. Some plastic pieces or pieces with a rim will need a wipe with a towel, although letting them sit until they have cooled does most of the job. I've had no problems with the controls and dont see how you can stain the stainless tub. Haven't noticed any stains on any of the seals or plastic parts either, and our boys are heavy on ketchup and tomato based foods. Oh, any of the upper model lines will have a light that shines on the floor until the cycle is completed. My firneds and family have asked about the little red light shining onthe floor -- even after they talked to me while I finished loading and starting the DW. They didn't realize it was running. :_) The only thing I can tell you is that you might save a few dollars getting the Thermador if you are going to cover the front with a panel. Worth checking if you have that option.

arich69, I think we did the exact same research, I was in the exact spot as you. I got totally swayed by that 3rd rack! The Boschs seemed like such a good value when I researched, considering all the features, 3rd rack, and hype that Bosch is best for DWs (if you cant afford Miele, which I couldn't). However, I read many negative reviews of bosch too, my SIL hates hers, and the thought of it not drying as well as I was used to (replacing cheap GE w/ heated dry) really made me nervous. I got the feeling Bosch is great, IF you take many precautions...make sure its got a high loop (? something I read here...!), check water hardness, must use salt & lots of jet dry (to which I found some posts about why would you want to use extra chemicals that basically stay on your glasses...)...yadda yadda. It made me wonder, but...with those KitchenAids in the $1500 range and all the bad reviews on them (alongside many good ones)...I ended up with a Bosch! So..I literally just ran it last night for the first time. I was disappointed this morning that all my plastics were quite wet. I cleaned probably more than average amount of plastics, I have little kids, and I know plastics are almost impossible to get dry, but Im pretty sure they were way wetter than they used to be in my old GE. However, don't go looking at cheap GEs yet! It was my first run & I don't think I ran it optimally. I tested my water & it came out slightly hard so I should use salt but I don't have any yet so I didn't. Theres an extra dry button or something you can choose but I didn't do it for this first time, I wanted to see how it did without it. I also didn't press the sanitize button. Which is supposed to really help drying. And I think I kept the rinse aid setting down as low as possible, because I really don't want to drink that stuff. Sorry, I really just gave you tons of info that's not very useful until I run more loads, but I just read your post & its really timely for me! I will get back to you with more results as I use it more & change the settings. I hope I made the right decision going with the Bosch. I got the SHX7PT55. Its close to top of the line (theres a SH8 & SH9 too). I got a really good price on it, make sure you ask about all rebates, I think I got 2 Dishwasher specific rebates, plus 10% off for buying 3 Bosch appliances.

Funny, I just got my new Bosch installed last weekend - to replace the Kitchenaid that I couldn't stand!! It is the Integra 800 (SHX98M09UC). I can't believe how excited I am about something so silly! The Kitchenaid was louder and just felt clunky to me. It was also only about 5 years old and the racks are rusting. Plus the door made this horrible squeaking on open and close. Perhaps I just got a lemon but I've missed my Bosch until now. I do admit that the interior of the Bosch looks smaller, but there are only 2 of us. And one of my requirements was no heating coils. I am back to putting whatever I want whereever I want. I also found that the KA was not any better at drying plastics. . . To each his or her own I guess.

There are adjustment screws for the door panel located in the front, by the feet (look at the install manual). You can temporarily loosen the tension, and then tighten again when the panel is applied. It should be in your install kit. Otherwise, as Whit461 points out, it will not stay down properly. You can probably just use some colored plastic with velcro strips if the grey color disturbs you, or you can order a stainless panel from Bosch (their web site sells parts and accessories directly).