Comments on: DeLonghi ESAM3500.N Magnifica Digital Super-Automatic Espresso/Coffee Machine

By: TrUsTiNnOoNe!

TrUsTiNnOoNe! — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 16:24:56 +0000

This is my second DeLonghi Magnifica Digital Super-Automatic Espresso/Coffee Machine I have owned within the last 2 years. I got my first model 4500 from Starbucks and it lasted about 2 years. My warranty expired on my old machine so I bought this one on Amazon. I have checked all the online vendors and Amazon has the best price on this machine. Free shipping and no taxes saves you about $250. I found this machine on Ebay for less but DeLonghi will not honor Warranty service on Ebay stores. So beware.

DeLonghi customer service has been top notch, I had to repair my first machine 7 times. Yes, seven times due to pump failure and thermostat issues. I got this machine for an office so it gets used alot. This machine is meant for home use only. I brew about 50 cups a day, so the average home user wouldn't use more than 5 cups a day.

My repair shop says all automatic Espresso machines no matter what brand in this price range use all the same parts. He also said they all fail at least 4 times within 2 years due to the nature of the machine. I told myself that I wouldn't buy DeLonghi anymore but he changed my mind and told me that DeLonghi has more repair shops open for Warranty service than any other vendor.

This model ESAM3500.N is nice, since it is an overall better model than the other 5 models listed for sale. Don't spend your money on the $1999 or $2500 model because they all have the same features and will all break down no matter how well you keep your machines up to date!

If you do need to make repairs on your machine, make sure you find a repair shop near your home. I was able to get extra parts and service O-Rings for my machine cheaper than from DeLonghi webstore.

Also note, the O-Rings on this machine do break down after 3 months of use. It is the because the milk container, you can also find these O-Rings at Home Depot for $10 bucks and if you have problems with the milk function don't send your machine into repairs for some O-Rings you can replace yourself.

I have made over 30,000 cups of Espresso & Coffee with DeLonghi machines and I am glad that I bought it. Even at $3 a cup you can see yourself saving a lot of money.

Also note you should Descale this machine at least once every 2 weeks or else your pump on this machine will fail. Don't wait for the machine to tell you clean it. Only use the Durgol cleaner also, all other cheap cleaners DO NOT work with this machine. Do waste your time, I learned my lesson well!

Low fat or no fat milk works best with the milk spout. Do not use milk that isn't at refrigerator temperature. The coffee mill grinder should be set at number 5, I found this to be the best tasting and best setting for this machine.

Keep in mind if you do need this machine repaired they can have your machine up to 3 weeks, due to a shortage of spare parts. All vendors use the same parts since this is an OEM type of build. The Generic Alarm code is the last breakdown I got. To save you a phone call this means your machine is dead, it needs a new pump and thermostat so hence I came to Amazon to get another!

Amazon was qreat with shipping, price, and product was new as listed! Rated 10 out of 10! Rating: 5 / 5

By: Tom Yam

Tom Yam — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 16:22:33 +0000

I love it.

I usually drink a cappuccino 3-5 times a day.

It supplys good coffee every day.

But I have one concern.

When I use this machine, it works with a big noise.

Sometimes I think it has something to break.
Rating: 3 / 5

By: William L. Frech

William L. Frech — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 16:10:22 +0000

I purchased my first machine, the pump did not work. I returned it.

I replaced it with a new machine, figuring it was a fluke. Second machine just arrived, different issue but it does not work.

I am done with DeLonghi Rating: 1 / 5

By: R. Sparks

R. Sparks — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 15:47:57 +0000

1.0 out of 5 stars Do not buy -- never got one that works, they are 0 for 2., December 11, 2009
DeLonghi ESAM3500.N Magnifica Digital Super-Automatic Espresso/Coffee Machine
By R. Sparks - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
I did much comparison shopping and then finally decided to purchase this machine, in spite of its high cost. There were quite a few online reviews complaining about the infuser sticking, but I decided to try one anyway.
The unit arrived as promised and I followed the instructions "to the letter" in doing the setup and starting. Two test cups of coffee later and it was time to go to bed and wake up to a fresh cappuccino. Not quite!
The next morning I awoke to a "Generic Error" and stuck infuser. Calls to DeLonghi were of no use -- they just said the unit could not be fixed and it should be returned to the seller.
Amazon Returns was a breeze (excellent service - bravo) and they shipped me a replacement unit by next day UPS. It arrived with a water damaged box and when I opened it, the replacement was clearly a factory refurb!!! Some of the documentation that had been in the new unit was missing and the water spout was missing. I hooked up the milk (which replaces the water spout) and the unit still refused to work. I can hear the microswitch click, which means it must be something other than just putting the pitcher in properly.

So it was a refurb, it was broken, and it was missing parts.

The end result is I am out the cost of shipping to send back both units ($61) and do not think I can get a refund for that from Amazon. I am technically and mechanically capable (engineer) -- this machine is not properly designed or debugged. I strongly recommend you spend your money elsewhere.

I gave it one star only because there is no way to give it zero. Rating: 1 / 5

By: Ueli Zwyngli, de Heiri

Ueli Zwyngli, de Heiri — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 14:05:43 +0000

We have owned one of these machines for a little over a year now. We continue to enjoy great frothy coffee. May that be regular or decaf.

We have also used the automatic cappuccino feature. It works well. We just do not drink that much cappuccino. Great product!

Rating: 5 / 5