Overall this is a great little machine, work to it's limitations, keep it clean, and the machine should last forever!
Positive Product Points
The perfect machine for people who like to make a couple of lazy coffees for friends on the weekend. Great steam pressure for a domestic machine means it's easy to get cafe quality silky-smooth froth.
Negative Product Points
Even the double basket is small on this machine - don't expect to be able to make nice strong mugs of coffee - keep sizes small, and the extraction nice and slow. This is the only negative I can think of.
Detailed Commentary
I've had one of these since 1996 - great machine - only twice have I had to change the group seal, and only once - the steam seal above the shower. Because this machine has a two-stage boiler you have to plan the coffees construction process. Make the espressos then quickly press the steam button and it heats up to steam temperature - only takes about 20 seconds. If the boiler is recharged as soon as steaming is finished, it will never 'trip out' and never need repairs. I've known of other people with this machine that steam their milk then leave the machine to it's needed again - the boiler is next to empty at this stage, and there is a real chance it will overheat. If you remember this - no problems. Oh, and don't try to backflush/backwash it like a commercial espresso machine as there is no exhaust system on a two stage boiler machine!
Buying Experience
Bought it at a charity event - it had been donated to the organisers, so I don't know where it came from.
