This is all great advice. I figured out today (duh - late to the party, maybe?) that the Dimension Plus model also has the "auto open" feature - it's just not that well advertised (maybe they think people will downgrade from the Diamond?) The fully integrated one is about $1900 here at a local appliance store - that's high but really not that much her that the KA KUD60 or KUD70 models. I'm going to take in a bunch of dishes and give it a try. I've read that there's sort of an adjustment period for learning to load it. If our tall glasses fit (they are my lifeline,) then Miele we shall order! Is it best to order through a local store and have them install it? Or will service go through a Miele rep anyway (not the store?) I ask b/c my house is crawling with contractors and our plumber is great. There are some better prices on the internet but all my other appliances I have ordered locally because they will service them (family run appliance store - three generations.) BUT they don't service Miele so I'm not sure if it makes a difference? OK - so Bosch is out. KA is looking less likely. If the Miele fits, buy it?! (P.S. The Ferguson here in Baltimore, MD has a lower model - G 4thousand something for sale as a floor model for $895. Not sure if anyone wants that model but you should call if you do! As I said, I missed getting the floor sample Diamond by a matter of hours. UGH!

And to add on to my previous post and help clear up some of the differences I will talk about European vs. American dishwashers. Traditionally, the two functional differences between the two have been drying and filtration. American dishwashers had the grinder (like the GE you're looking at) whereas European dishwashers have a cleanable filters. This is becoming less so, because American dishwashers are moving more and more towards the European method of filtration. Pretty much all the top of the line dishwashers (including my GE) have the cleanable filters, and I believe Whirlpool has migrated completely to this in all their brands. I have to say, having had the grinder in my old Kitchenaid, I don't really miss it. I was worried at first about the filter being high maintenance, but it really isn't. As for drying/heating the base system for American dishwashers is a dual purpose heating element at the bottom that both heats the water for washing/rinsing and heats the air for drying if you pick that option. If you step up you'll get a fan that actually moves air as well as heating it. Basic European dishwashers like that Bosch will just have condensation drying. The pros to this are that its energy efficient and doesn't need that big heating element at the bottom. This means they can use a smaller inline water heater which does a better job heating the water for washing. If you step up in European dishwashers you get a fan also. I think the fan makes a big difference. I would guess the reason my Kitchenaid out-dried my GE though is instead of having a single purpose element, it had a separate element as part of the drying blower. So instead of relying on the big element at the bottom to heat the air for drying, preheated air was blown into the tub. To my knowledge there aren't any dishwashers with that design produced anymore.

Comparing the Elite and Electrolux, they seem different. Just a few differences- It looks like you can leave the racks in to self clean in the elite. The modes are different. In the elite I would clarify what the cake and bread modes are. It is vague in the manual. No rolling racks in the Elite. I would read both use and care manuals to see the differences.

I bought a Bosch almost a year ago. I think it's 500 series, but SS and with hidden controls. I don't love it. It cleans very well, but I'm guessing all DWs do. I hate the Euro arrangement. I've learned how to place things inside, but it drives me crazy. It's not THAT quiet. The insides (stainless) retain too much moisture. I miss my old low-end Kenmore. But it was very ugly and had to go. Although it had a drying function, I never ever used it, yet everything dried so well. Next time, I will consider layout first.