Those of you with Bosch Dishwashers (esp Older Models) I could really use some advice

[mich]

If you've seen my other thread, I'm currently on the hunt for a similar model dishwasher, and have landed my eyes on a Bosch Integra 500 Series. 

 

I really love the model and it'd look really nice in our Kitchen, plus, since, I wouldn't be purchasing a new one, I could afford to keep saving up for my Miele FL dream. But... I'm a little nervous. And I'll tell you why. 

 

The Model, I'm really considering, is approaching 10 years old. It sure doesn't look like it, it actually looks almost identical to the updated ones in Lowes, and, it has all the features I'd really like to have (like sensor wash) and a tall item sprinkler, and the adjustable racks. 

 

Although, as much as I love the machine, the age of it scares me a little. The seller claims it works just fine... however, I wonder about the future of it. 

 

You see.. in my searchings online, I've read lots & lots, of horror stories, about circulation pumps & controls panels, just randomly going out. It does seem to be a very common problem, however, I do understand, it's not going to be on every model. I just, wonder however, if it's only a matter of time, after I get it. 

 

So, I guess what I'm asking is.. Guys, do any of you have Bosch Dishwashers of similar age and not have any problems? Should I expect problems down the road?

 

I really like this model. Esp the racking system, and the fact, that the detergent tray opens slowly in the wash. It's almost a dream come true to me, to find it. I just don't want to deal with purchasing replacement parts down the road. 

 

[combo52]

10 year old Bosch DWs

Like buying any used appliance you really need to find out why they are selling it and what condition the machine is currently in.

Bosch DWs had a pretty bad repair record 10 years ago, it does seem that the repair record of newer machines has improved quite a bit. Many repairs are very expensive and difficult to do on Bosch DWs in general, so a large number of them just get trashed if anything really goes wrong.

Question, what is a slow opening detergent dispenser and how would that help make the machine work any better.

 

[mich]

There are some nice advantages

of a slow release detergent chamber. One being, most modern detergents contain Enzymes & Oxygen Bleach. And, when they're released at the same time, you get great bleaching action, but the enzymes start to wind off a little quicker than they normally should.. due to the oxidising environment caused by the oxygen. 

 

 

On Finish Powerball tabs, the blue layer is the Enzymes, while the white layer is the oxygen bleach, and the red ball in the center is the rinse aid. By the detergent cup, slowly opening up, the blue layer gets it start on the dishes, before the white layer gets a chance to dissolve. You get improved enzymatic performance this way. 

 

Even on older dishwashing formulations, such as chlorine based powders. Chlorine starts to die off at around maybe 8-10 minutes or so of bleaching action. By the Powder Detergent, slowly being dissolved and introduced into the wash, you'll continue to get a strong bleach action, as it's still being activated when the beginning dose is winding off. 

 

Now.. to set the record straight. Chlorine doesn't completely die off... but, about 50-60% of it's performance will go. After that, it won't do so hot on tough stains, but, it will however continue to sanitize. 

 

There's also another nice benefit to a gradual dispensing of detergent. Tablets don't get a chance to fall out, and get stuck. I've had problems with Finish Quantum multiple times, with this. Sometimes, they fall in the wrong area, and they get stuck on top of a plate, or bowl, or pan... and you end up with the detergent partly dissolved and still there at the end of the wash. 

 

Instead.. with the Bosch detergent dispenser, the tablet stays in the cup, and the wash water gets sprayed in, and it's dissolved. So.. No more babysitting the tablets. 

 

Another Thing.. I really like about the Bosch, is that it says you can put a silverware basket in the top rack. In our current model, whenever I've tried that.. the silverware would be covered in food, if it wasn't rinsed to death. 

 

 

 

[mich]

As for the machine itself..

It's in really good condition. However, I just wanted to hear from some fellow members who may have a Bosch of similar age. I know there's a lot of talk about repair prone, but what about reliability?

 

I'd just love advice. Anything that's known about these machines, or, what I'm likely to run into. 

 

[joe_in_philly]

My Bosch dishwasher is about 9 years old. I haven't had any problems with it, and the inside still looks brand new. It cleans as well as the day I got it. My machine had the control module replaced as part of a recall. You should see if the machine you are looking at was part of the recall, and if the control was replaced. When the control module is replaced, they cut a corner off of the identity tag on the inside rim of the door.

I am not sure what you mean by a slow opening detergent cup. Soon after I hear the heater engage for the wash, the detergent cup will quickly slide open releasing the detergent into the wash. When I use hard detergent tabs (like Finish powerball), I can hear a thud as it drops out of the dispenser. Newer machines have a special place built into the basket that catches the tablet as it falls out of the dispenser.[this post was last edited: 5/22/2014-12:54]

 

[logixx]

Mymother has an eight-year old Bosch, which I used heavily for the first six years when I lived at home. It hasn't skipped a beat yet, but it's a German unit so don't know how it compares to what is sold in the US.

 

Bosch detergent dispensers open at once. Fully.

 

Alex

 

[glenfieldmathk1]

I own a nearly 11 year old Neff (Bosch Made in Germany), its fantastic, and needed only 1 repair in its life (a new heater about 4 months ago), the Bosch service wanted to come out same day, which was fantastic, and they got on with the job quickly. He didn't seem to struggle to remove the parts, as mentioned by previous posters, but then again, as its German and not US then maybe different.
I would highly recommend the brand I'm sure you wouldn't be let down, mine has worked just as good as day 1, even now - 10years later.

 

[combo52]

Slow Release [ opening ] DW Detergent Dispenser ?

Once a DD opens even a 1/4" all the detergent will quickly dissolve and will be quickly washed in to the water stream, and any DW that leaves part of a detergent tablet laying on a plate etc undissolved isn't worth a damn. I have always found that if a DW can not even resolve the detergent that is meant to dissolve easily it sure is not going to do a decent job cleaning hard to clean items.

I would love to see some documentation of these slow opening dispensers, I think it is more likely that your DD is broken.

 

[mich]

I can't say.. I've owned a Bosch

At Least, yet anyway. I've just been told there was a slowly opening, detergent cup. I probably should research that a little more. 

 

My current dishwasher (a Whirlpool Ultrawash) was the one I was mentioning, when I talked about undissolved tablets. 

 

[mieleforever]

We have...

a Siemens also a brand of Bosch, and its been running hard for the past 8 years (sometimes three times a day) and not a single hickup, touch wood. It cleans as good as the day we bought it, sound the same, and still looks excatly the same, I think they are really good machines. My sister has a Bosch of about nine years, being ran daily and not one repair. I think however, if something goes wrong it will be expensive, but so will LG Samsung and the rest of them be.

I don't know if the machines that we get here in SOuth AFrica will be the same as in the states, I think we get the European ones, most of our stuff here is the European standard, but I digress.

Still I don't think that there will be such a difference in quality, you should be fine for at least a few years. Bosh & Siemens Dishwashers are really good if I can say so from our experience, they are very light on elec and water but still gives outstanding results.

Hope youre decission is a sound one and that you won't be dissapointed.

Regards

 

[dascot]

I have a 10yr old Siemens which still runs without missing a beat. Never needed a single repair, touch wood.

 

[washer111]

You Want Old:

Hehe, here's one I had the opportunity to use in Norway! About 30 years old, still running strong, and still cleaning GREAT!

Impressions: Bosch S620 Dishwasher

Without further ado, I present to you some more “Appliance Tidbits." In this thread, we will be taking a look at the Bosch S620 Dishwasher. This machine is an all-mechanical, 100% solid piece of Bosch engineering. It features a fun Rapid-Advance style of timer, serving to click, snap and...

www.automaticwasher.org

 

Only quibbles was the slightly "cramped" racking and perhaps Euro-ised design that makes it look identical to other EU style machines. Still, a fun machine to use. 

 

[foraloysius]

Bosch dishwashers sold in the USA are made there too, no "Made in Germany" label on it or from another European country. Because of that the reliability of the American Bosch machines may be different too. Testifying about the reliability of the European machines says nothing about the American Bosch dishwashers.

 

[logixx]

Some were and are imported - but usually only the TOL models like the current Benchmark Series.

 

[tolivac]

From what I understand-the Bosch washers and dishwashers sold in the US are built in a factory not far from me in New Bern,NC.The Bosch plant used to make Bosch power tools-when that line was sold to the Emerson-Skil group the factory was converted to build appliances.The tools are now made in Mexico and even China.The legendary Bosch jigsaw is still made in Germany.

 

[mich]

Well..

The a**hole on craigslist.. ended up wasting my time. I didn't end up purchasing it, and ended up purchasing a new one today from Lowes. Check out my new thread