Sorry that you have no answers yet but I will comment to boost your post and am also interested. Also having analysis paralysis. I like that MIele range and I love the idea of the M_touch and all those bread baking options. I went to a demo of the mIele wall ovens (which are the same) and it just seems fantastic. One of the things I didn't like about the range is that there were no bridging elements on the cooktop. Whereas the rangetop/cooktop does have it, as do the Bosch and the Wolf. The second thing for me which doesn't apply to you as you don't have the space is that I would prefer not to have to bend down to an undercounter oven. The third issue I have is that while I love the mIele appliances, their service department is about 3 to 4 hours away from me. So that would be an additional expense to cover travel time once the warranty has expired. The local appliance store from where I would buy it has said that they have applied to be the local service contractor for Miele and were awarded it but when I spoke to the regional service manager at the Miele showroom, he knew nothing about it. I have a few months still before I have to make my decision.

I'm wondering if the salesperson is feeding you a line of baloney. Maybe the reason they aren't selling it anymore is because Bosch pulled the line from the store?

I have the Bosch induction cooktop (brand new) and a Bosch 500 oven (I don't use an oven often), and have been very happy with both. In my old condo, I had the Bosch 800 oven and electric cooktop and had no problems at all.

Check the Yale Appliance blog for the most up to date info on service, reliability, etc with the higher end appliances. I found them very helpful when I was looking.

I know you said you’d only consider Miele or Bosch - but if you’re concerned about an electronic control panel perhaps look into one with knobs? We have a GE cafe induction range and I love it. I didn’t like the touch panel feature on so many ranges we looked at. I prefer old fashioned knob controls. The oven has convection but no steam feature. We purchased the double oven model.

I doubt that Bosch quality has slipped so dramatically. I just finished a remodel and researched appliances and wound up with Bosch - induction cooktop; side opening oven and a dishwasher. I also opted for Bosch washer/dryer units.

Miele is no doubt a step above Bosch in terms of features. I know this is true of dishwashers but, at least based on my research, isn't more generally reliable.

What is the price differential? If you like the Miele, why not go for it as you are a person who would seem to be using your appliances as opposed to just showcasing it.

I don't like when appliance stores hand me a line as it makes me suspect their advice. When I was shopping for appliances, I had some very good salespeople who offered valid advice that seemed to be objective - i.e. I was advised that the KA and Jennair refrigerators I was considering were identical with Jennair being more expensive - store carried both. In terms of Bosch, I was advised only against the Bosch refrigerator (which store carried) because interior had more plastic than other options I was considering). Also, when I asked about difference between a Thermador induction and Bosch induction (store carried both), sales person told me objective differences but didn't think it was worth the $7000 price difference :-).

I upgraded from Bosch to Miele two years ago. The Miele appliances are great, but not worth the price difference. I would not hesitate to go back to Bosch. I am a from scratch kind of cook, but not into complicated stuff. I roast meat and vegetables, bake pound cakes and shortbread cookie. No molecular gastronomy at my house.

ETA The price of the Miele washer and dryer OTOH I would pay agian without hesitation, but m last washer dryer was LG, not Bosch. LG chewed through my clothes. Miele's washing machine is every bit as good as all the hype.

Steam-assist is a great feature, but a full-fledged combination steam oven is a whole different ball game. And as far as I can tell, the Miele CSO is quite a bit ahead of the competition.

In other words, I don't think you can go wrong with anything Miele. But if I was equipping a kitchen with Miele appliances, I would absolutely make sure it came with a CSO ... preferably with a plumbed model.

To be clear, I totally agree about the Miele CSO. I did not think Bosch had one of those. That oven is perfect, nothing compares to it aside from the Gaggenau version, I suppose.

What about an induction cooktop over a Miele xxl combi steam oven? That way you can get the full benefit of Miele’s steam technology. Also, if problems do arise, they’re separate appliances to repair/replace, rather than a much more expensive combo item.

Installing cooktops on top of a wall oven isn't quite ideal. It's doable. And I guess, if you pick the XL instead of the XXL model of the steam oven, you can make sure that the oven isn't mounted too close to the floor to be usable. But there is a reason they are called "wall ovens". The ergonomics are much better if they can be moved into a cabinet and raised to at least somewhere in the vicinity of countertop level.

It's OK if the oven is some amount higher or lower than that. But that should be the general guideline to keep in the back of your mind.

Having said that, yes I would more seriously look at splitting features into two separate appliances, if that's within the budget.

@waverly6, thanks for responding. That travel distance for Miele repair would be enough to give me pause, but maybe there is a different independent repair outfit that is Miele-certified? Or, I wonder if your appliance store would be listed online as a repair option? It's good that you have some time before you have to decide. It's a very hard thing, isn't it?

@Helen, I know what you mean about a store handing you a line. At least this store is consistent-- they started expressing concern about Bosch reliability more than a year ago, when I started looking because I thought my range was beyond repair. This time, the salesperson was able to describe the manufacturing changes that led to the store decision. I guess that at some point, you have to decide who you will listen to. That's all part of the crazy-making, IMO. I'm glad you like your Bosch appliances. I loved my Bosch induction cooktop in my former house.

@cpartist, thanks for your reply. Can we ever know why a store decides on its brands? All I know is that the store I am using is very highly regarded for its integrity and backing of what they sell. After the range nonsense of the past two years where my oven decided it would rather be a broiler, thus ruining one Christmas, one Thanksgiving, and one birthday pie, I think my top priority is reliability.

@Zalco/bring back Sophie! Wish I'd seen your comment about the Miele washer two days ago when we went shopping to replace the washing machine, which just died.... Thanks.

@Kristin, @M, we don't have wall space to split appliances into cooktop and range, and although the designer said some brands off the option, I am not comfortable putting an oven under a cooktop.

@wdccruise, we are big Consumer Reports people here, so thanks for reminding me to revisit their advice. I'm attaching a picture of the current electronic control panel we've had replaced twice in less than two years-- it burns out because the proximity to the oven just melts the circuit board-- and you'll see why I'm avoiding the models you listed in your response. Thanks, though.

I wouldn't listen to CR. They skew towards the lower end models, which is fine if that's what you're looking for. I would instead look at the Yale Appliance Blog. Great info and they give yearly or half yearly reports on which of the brands have the most repairs.

cpartist:

About Yale:

• Yale is a reseller. It does not test anything.
• Yale's repair information is based by simply dividing total warranty repair calls by total sales for one year.
• An appliance could have been sold by Yale but serviced by another company and it would not be counted.
• Service outside the one-year warranty period are not counted.

Consumer Reports has tested products from fancy-pants brands including Wolf, Thermador, Bosch, Dacor, Miele, Fisher & Paykel, Jenn-Air, and Viking. houzz commenters just don't like CR's frequent conclusions that these expensive appliances don't perform any better than those purchased by the plebes.

Karen L:

Obviously it's your choice. But the picture you included is of a gas range with a completely different front panel than the LG induction range, the Miele model puts a control panel with clock directly above the oven door, and the GE panel is on the top, away from the door.

If your needs align with CR's parameters, then you have a ton of information at your fingertips.

Many people here do not value the same things CR values.

@wdccruise Just a point of interest, if you poke around the comments and reviews of the machines you listed, you’ll see that a recurring complaint on these ranges is the electronic panel. FWIW

We installed our Miele induction range a couple of weeks ago, and we are very happy with it. The controls are very intuitive, and there is minimal noise from the fans during cooking - important to me. We were initially concerned about the number of power levels on the cooktop - my husband insisted on a range with knobs, but that has not been an issue. We also bought the rotisserie accessory and have been enjoying its results. I must admit we are fortunate enough to have a Miele Showroom close by, so we were able to play with the range prior to purchase. So far, we have no regrets.

@akrogirl32, thanks. I was hoping to hear from a Miele owner. So glad you are enjoying your range.

I have paid our deposit on the Miele induction range and like you, Karen, I am hoping the steam assist is a big plus :) I also ordered a Miele T1 and W1 and dishwasher. I have to admit that even with the reliability history of Miele, the 10 year extended warranty gives me some piece of mind. The extended warranty was the promotion when I purchased. I also looked at Bosch, but in the end, the knobs for the induction, the steam assist and the reviews on the W1, T1 and dishwasher won. Also, 15 years ago, we bought a Bosch dishwasher and hated it!