1. The grinder: I do not know how often you really makes this setting. We have after a few attempts at any rate found and canceled the right for us setting is nothing.
2. The brewing unit: groans With our machine and creaks nothing exceptionally loud, but just like others do also fully automatic. I rate it very positively instead, how easy to take out the brewing unit and must be cleaned.
3. pomace / drip tray: We are a 2-person household and drink 5-6 coffee / latte / cappuccino a day. Either in the evening or in the morning, we empty the drip tray, sometimes only when we oven prompts. And then we empty the pomace logically the same time! Overflowed with us never heard.
4. splash: Due to the height-adjustable discharge occurs in us neither with large cups still in small cups to splashes or the mentioned cow pattern.
5. frothy milk: The milk produced foam is of the consistency outstanding, whether by long-life milk, whole milk, or skim milk. We pick up the milk without problems right out of the milk carton and the result is a really good foam, which could compete with any cafe around the corner.
However, there is my only gripe with the machine. The milk foam could be a bit hot for my taste, even if the milk comes straight from the refrigerator. He is not too cold, but I would the whole thing called "Ready to Drink". However, that's only a personal perception. My friend found the perfect temperature.
The cleaning of the milk foamer I find extremely problematic. Glass underneath provide, select program, wait, done. It is depending on the selected glass to small splashes, but since I anyway once the hose abwische, I go well again on the machine.
All in all, this machine deserves my opinion 4-5 stars. Two stars are definitely not enough. That's why I give it 5;)
UPDATE (February 2012): We have the machine now for a good six months. She still works perfectly. A little tip with respect to the only warm milk foam: I warm now the cup with a dash of water for 10 seconds in the microwave. This can be easily done while the machine is turned on. So I get a really hot latte macchiato or cappuccino. In the description of the way, also a pre-heated vessel is recommended and I can only say that the difference is enormous!
UPDATE 2 (July 2013): We have ("toi, toi, toi") to complain still no technical wear and tear and continue to enjoy each cup of this machine !!!
UPDATE 3 (Feb 2014): Again a little update. We had the first major failure at 2 years and 2 weeks (A rogue ...). However, Siemens has without a murmur a broken pipe replaced. After about a week the machine was back and we enjoy since then each cup. Also because of the good service still 5 star !!!
