Just found this thread and wanted to throw in my experience with a 48" built in Samsung, side-by-side refrigerator with water/ice dispenser. We bought it a year ago and had problems with the water/ice dispenser "sticking" right from the beginning which would cause the water/ice to keep dispensing after you moved the cup away. We had it serviced under warranty and it fixed the problem, for about 6 months until is started doing it again. After about 8 months we noticed water leaking out from under the front doors at the hinges. To make a long story short, 4 months, 5 service appointments and many, many calls to Samsung later without any resolution to the water leaking, we were told the refrigerator can't be repaired and have been offered a refund. It's been a very frustrating experience, and a refund certainly won't cover the cost of taking out and disposing of the old fridge and installing a new one. I have always been a loyal Samsung customer, I just don't think they made a very good built-in refrigerator.

We just were on the hunt for a 48" vanity ourselves. I don't know where you are located, but where I live near San Jose, CA, we found several warehouse-style cabinet stores that offered 48" vanities for $300-400 (much cheaper than what we saw at Lowe's and Home Depot). The catch is that the selection is very limited. Essentially, we had to choose from 4 styles. So, while the vanity style is probably not the one I would have chosen if I had more options, it is nice looking, has solid cherry doors, nice dove-tailing on the drawers, etc. The best part is that (again, because of the limited selection), they carry everything in stock, so we can pick it up next-day. Anyway, just thought I would pass along the tip! If you happen to be in the Bay Area, I'd be happy to give you the specific address of the place we used. Good luck!

Do you have the ability to go a little larger? We also wanted a large fridge/freezer but were unwilling to swallow the high price of Thermador or Subzero, so we're going with the Frigidaire full fridge full freezer combo, which is a combined 60ish". While the quality is obviously not the same as that of the higher end brands, we've consistently heard good things. They also don't try to do much more than be basic appliances (no ice or water through the door, for example,) which is fine with us.

Brian, I see you have made your decision but I just wanted to add my 2c. In my main house I have the first model of Subzero 48 with water and ice dispenser in the door. it is now 28 years old. . The iceline has finally died but it is not worth the cost of replacing it. Otherwise It is still working well. I do have an additional small undercounter refrigerator for sodas and a freezer in the basement. That freezer would never be enough. In a different house we had the 48 inch without the internal dispenser and it was such a pain. I missed that dispenser in the door. I am doing a kitchen reno in my beach house and replacing the 4th french door refrigerator i have had in this kitchen and which I loathe with a passion. No question; I am only considering a subzero. I want the dispenser in the door again as this is a feature we use all the time. However the dispenser on the subzero is short and cannot accommodate Yeti 30 oz cups which is what we use so I might land up having to open the door for water and ice anyway.