We are thinking of buying an ECM Michelangelo A2 for sale second hand for $1000. Is this too risky? Or should we save for a Giotto with a warranty. We are upgrading from a Gaggia Classic, so I guess either would be an improvement.
Announcement
Collapse
No announcement yet.
ECM Michelangelo
Collapse
X
-
Re: ECM Michelangelo
Buyng 2nd hand is risky if you dont know the machines history. If you can get a demo of the machine, and its working fine, then you know youre at least getting a working machine. However, things do break and with a 2nd hand machine you dont know when that will be.
If youre comfortable working on your own machines, then 2nd hand is a great way to go, as espresso machines arent too hard to fix. There are a lot of tinkerers here that have gone that route. However if you just want to buy a machine and have it work, without any hassles, then I suggest buying new. The price you save on a 2nd hand machine can easily be spent in expensive service/repair costs.
BTW: The Gaggia Classic can make very decent espresso, but steaming milk is poor. Once you steam with a HX machine youll appreciate this.
Cheers,
Mark.
- Flag
-
Re: ECM Michelangelo
Buy it!!! The ECM Michealangelo is a german tank and a whole different kettle of fish to the Giotto. If it is the millenium version then you are getting 17L of boiler in the 2 group, which is massive. They produce great coffee, time after time after time, and heaps of steam. If it works (get a demo) than its a bargain, new they are $7800. Even if you spend $1500 fixing it, you have only spent the same amount as a Giotto and have 10 times the machine.
However, if you are planning to put this on your kitchen bench just remember, it takes up a large amount of real estate. I have a 3 group Michealangelo with the 27L boiler, all I can say is it gives dual boilers a run for their money!!! This machine is currently my cafe machine of choice!
- Flag
Comment
-
Re: ECM Michelangelo
I bought a second hand commmercial, and it turned out in perfect condition! 1000 dollars is cheap, and repairs will no doubt be less than 1500, unless everything died at once, but of course, get it checked out, if possible, by a technician. I got mine bench tested for little more than $50, and I was good to go! It really was worth the extra effort for the benifits of a commercial machine.
it is simply the added horsepower it has over a prosumer machine, the Giotto will still satisfy, but it just seems that at $1000, the michelangelo will be more bang for your buck.
Check it out first though!
- Flag
Comment
-
Re: ECM Michelangelo
Ill second Pioneer Roasters comments. $1000 for a commercial 2-group in good condition is very good.
Can you see/hear it running?
If it sorely needs a lot of TLC -- and the expensive parts which go with that -- Its still good, especially if you can do it yourself.
-Robusto
- Flag
Comment
-
Re: ECM Michelangelo
I was also fortunate enough to find an ECM Michelangelo A2 within a 2 hour drive. The steal of the century at only $100. The owner just wanted it out of the restaurant kitchen where it had been sitting for 5 years, never connected. I am currently taking it apart for cleaning and minor part replacement (seals, o-rings, tubing, etc...) Will repost when I have some progress to report. Ive attached a pic of the machine before the dismantling. The boiler inside this beast could run a small steam powered car!

- Flag
Comment
-
Re: ECM Michelangelo
Nice going Sam great bargain , they sure are a beast of a machine the weight in them is incredible , I just basically finished rebuilding mine and Im having to sell it as ive been offered a job in Tasmania and cant take it with me,
i finally got around to reassembling it and im not even going to get a chance to test it , which is killing me . Looks sexy as now in red too .
Steve

- Flag
Comment
-
Re: ECM Michelangelo
Wow! Thats some nice work! Congratulations on the job and condolences on selling your rebuild. Mind if I pick your brain for tips as I progress? I just got it almost down to the frame this morning. I need to take the rest of the electrical out and separate the stainless parts from the chassis. What did you use for shining up the stainless?
Heres a shot of her with the guts all over the workbench. I think the Big Fat Fun banner in the background pretty well sums it up.
- Flag
Comment
-
Re: ECM Michelangelo
NaaaaOriginally posted by 7C455F62585F565D546241545455310 link=1182470810/11#11 date=1282249830Heres a shot of her with the guts all over the workbench. I think the Big Fat Fun banner in the background pretty well sums it up.
The Fishing gear looks to be OK and all light and fine work...
THEN
We see the quality of the workmanship on the coffee machine.. Still amazed ya could get the 1/4 and 3/8 nuts off with that ADJUSTABLE spanner..
That is the sort of thing we would carry out bush or in the cabin of a D series not for general work ;D
- Flag
Comment
-
Re: ECM Michelangelo
Keep in mind the old bushy saying AM, dont use force get a bigger hammer.Originally posted by 6D424B495E614D424D4B49414942582C0 link=1182470810/13#13 date=1282261927That is the sort of thing we would carry out bush or in the cabin of a D series not for general workGrin Cheesy Wink
- Flag
Comment




Comment