I cannot think of anything good about this machine.
Negative Product Points
After a little over 1 year, I am having difficulties which make the machine almost unusable. 1. If I let it heat up too much (turn it on and wait 10 minutes), I cannot fit the portafilter holder into the brew group. I presume tht something in the brew group is expanding so that the portafilter cannot seat properly. 2. It is leaking water from somewhere in the bottom. 3. The plastic base is starting to crack and peel. 4. Since I've had it, I could not get a decent espresso without draining some of the water into a cup without the portafilter attached, similar to what you do with a cleaning cycle. This means that you get half as much brew as you might think. 5. Since I've had it, I cannot lift the lever without holding the machine down, otherwise the whole machine will lift into the air. This is plain stupid.
I thought it would hold up for years or decades but my unit is going to need a rebuilt. I am thoroughly disgusted especially considering that it was quite expensive. If I had paid $100, I would not be so disgusted.
Detailed Commentary
After a little over 1 year, I am having difficulties which make the machine almost unusable. 1. If I let it heat up too much (turn it on and wait 10 minutes), I cannot fit the portafilter holder into the brew group. I presume tht something in the brew group is expanding so that the portafilter cannot seat properly. 2. It is leaking water from somewhere in the bottom. 3. The plastic base is starting to crack and peel. 4. Since I've had it, I could not get a decent espresso without draining some of the water into a cup without the portafilter attached, similar to what you do with a cleaning cycle. This means that you get half as much brew as you might think. 5. Since I've had it, I cannot lift the lever without holding the machine down, otherwise the whole machine will lift into the air. This is plain stupid.
I thought it would hold up for years or decades but my unit is going to need a rebuilt. I am thoroughly disgusted especially considering that it was quite expensive. If I had paid $100, I would not be so disgusted.
Buying Experience
OK
Three Month Followup
I bought a new Europiccola before sending my old one in for rebuild. It is now 4 months old and is already breaking down. Now, the green light comes on shortly after turning the unit on, and I open the steam valve to release the "false pressure". No steam comes out of the steam wand. Then it starts heating up again, so I must wait another 10 minutes until the green light goes out again. At that point the unit works correctly. I have now bought two of these expensive machines and both have broken down in 1 year and 4 months.
My old unit had the plastic base dissolving, so when I sent the old one in for rebuild, the company I sent it to ordered a new chrome base from La Pavoni. It is now 4 months and the company still has not received the new base. I can only guess that La Pavoni has shipped it by rowboat across the atlantic.
