CM 6160 MilkPerfection

I love my Miele, for the coffee and for the simplicity. This will give you an idea of the footprint. I had the built-in versions for 20 years and when we moved to a condo we went with the Breville espresso set up but I really missed the ease, convenience and taste of my old coffee. I'm loving the flatwhites because the milk part is so easy. I just keep the milk container in the fridge when not in use. And you do not even need a milk container -- you can use anything with the way this is designed. Maintenance is a breeze. Just have to follow directions and remember that super autos don't like oily beans -- the oil will go rancid in places you cannot reach and your coffee becomes sour and crema disappears. There are excellent beans for this beyond Miele's, I'm leaning into the Lavazza line up now and love the flavour profiles. https://preview.redd.it/zkx9kzqru20g1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6e7f082ecc3014278fefe34fcff438d8cc6582fa

I bought it direct from Miele, after hemming and hawing over the colour options. They have a couple of gorgeous black units but my appliances are that soft white (which the white one matches) but I was unclear about the metal tone as the site showed a more goldish hue. We also have a local store that sells them too. We got ours on sale after Christmas, hubby is a Jan 1 baby so this was for his b'day. He's very happy!

Miele milk system does not follow that, rinse and deep clean up are also automatic and a simple push of the button. I store the milk container in the fridge when not in use.

It requires you to add some water, drop a tablet, put the milk head in the drain port ...then push a button. You do have to empty the tray, eventually. The rest of the milk gear goes straight into the dishwasher. If the head needs a wipe then do that. This is not at all laborious. This is the most elegantly simplified machine. And you don't need the milk container because the head and metal tube can be used on their own and just placed in a container of any liquid, like a straw.

Miele Milk system is not as he describes.

I was okay going the online route because I had a long history with the coffee machines already, as well as a lot of other their appliances. I'm partial to Miele for their solid build and elegant engineering.

I've had built in Miele coffee machines since 2005, when I moved to a condo I bought the countertop version in 2025. In two decades the machines were flawless, never having an issue and making exceptional coffee every time. I like all the options these days and in a flat white phase.

I knew that I'd never drink espresso in the morning if it didn't involve a press of a button. Bought a Miele super automatic from Costco, and it's been the best. Always keep it clean and perform the proper maintenance. Use filtered water and OEM cleaner from Miele. It's held up for years. Only use medium or light roast non-flavored beans as specified. You're able to specify grind size, amount of coffee and volumes to tailor the espresso drinks to your taste. We use it mostly for espresso, cappuccino, Americano, lattes and lately macchiato. Again with just a push of the button for the most part. The ability to use whole beans or even ground coffee (for coffee) with the Miele saves money. There's often used and new machines on Facebook marketplace. It's a great machine that will hold up until the plastic degrades. Parts can be purchased, albeit from Germany, off of eBay like gaskets. Edit: Also you're not producing plastic waste like a Nespresso or Keurig.

My FIL likely won the Miele in a golf outing and then gifted it to us. We were using a Breville previously and were totally fine with it.

Jura has a 16g max dose.  Miele/KitchenAid/Melitta 15g.  Gaggia 11g, Delonghi 12g.   I have a semi too and I would never go back to less than 15g dose on a super auto for the serving size alone, then again flavor. I've tried them.   Also no one should pay more than $600usd for a gaggia or at all.  They are glorified Philips machines. The steam wand in them (and Delonghi) are under powered, the dose size is too small. 

Your Philips 5500 also has the flat ceramic burr, same as the 800 . A lot of Philips machines have the ceramic flat burr. They are not special and they are quite small. The kitchenaids are quite but the whole machine is insulated for sound. My jura has flat burr ceramic discs, they are not quiet and need a thick towel to muffel them. You want a ceramic flat disc for a certain flavor profile and they tend to stay cleaner. Grinds on a super auto are not that great anyway so I think it would be difficult for anyone to pickup the nuances between a flat disc or conical grinder. The Jura z10 has a conical grinder while the Giga 10 has flat discs for example. The quietness of it is Philips marketing team getting way over their skiis.

Delonghi is 12g and clogs easily.   Try a Miele, KitchenAid or jura if you are really looked for decent espresso from a super auto. 

I had a entry level DeLonghi for like 10 years and it served me well, and I was fully intending on getting another similar one. Then I got a great deal on a Miele ($500 off so low one thousand-ish), then I got a greater deal on my Jura Z10 (ended up paying $2200 after everything). I got to use the Miele and Jura side by side for a few days and decided that Z10 is worth the premium for the milk frothing, which is on a totally different level from the Miele. Miele did make pretty good espresso though. I drink 3-4 shots just about every days, so even with the higher price tag my cost per use is pretty damn low.

Any machine made is Switzerland is your best bet for espresso. They can grind and brew the largest dose and finest grind.   Get the one you can get the best deal on.  Miele/KitchenAid or jura. The jura e4 just does black if you wanted to switch it up from Miele.  Edit: Miele removed the Americano form the current generation of machines. Idk why.    Not sure if that matters to you. 

Well yeah a semi auto with separate mid priced grinder is better than a full auto. You get larger dose sizes too.  That's obvious.  OP was asking about full autos. Of the full autos the Switzerland made ones I mentioned are the best for traditional espresso after having all the brands and drinking dark roast myself. 

You must have missed they are looking to replace a Miele that has served them well. 

Our last Miele lasted 13 years, 11,000 shots with 1 repair. Just got our second.

My last miele lasted 13,500 shots. 11 years. When it broke I immediately bought a new one. 14 years sober. I deserve 2 good cappuccinos a day