Ecm Botticelli and other single boiler minor? annoyances

[saeco_user]

Hi,

There is a Ecm Botticelli currently for sale in these forums and I was considering a sideways/slight upwards upgrade from my Quaha Junior instead of investing in repairs. A second hand single boiler is the only machine within price range.

However looking at the Botticelli, I think it would annoy the hell out of me having to remove the tank to refill every day. With the Quaha I only have to lift the top and pour in.

Also with the Quaha I have a deep drip tray and can see the water level easily on the side. Do any other single boilers have all three features? I know many don't (thinking Silvia).

I know these are minor issues in the scheme of things but as a very regularly used appliance I'm not sure I could do without them. Or is it just a case of you get used to, and make the best of, what you've got? What do other owners think?

cheers
Taan

[LeroyC]

The Gaggia Classic has all these features, but unless it's had all the requisite mods it wouldn't really be an upgrade from you Quaha. What about a Lelit? I don't know much about the brand, but they're well regarded and one of their models could fit the bill.

[saeco_user]

Thanks. The Lelit and Quaha are the same machine with different badges.

[TC]

Thanks. The Lelit and Quaha are the same machine with different badges.

In the same way that a 20YO Commodore and a current one are the same. You need only try to repair a Quaha/Mokita/Nemox from the current Lelit parts inventory to become aware that there are a host of subtle differences to part anatomy. Some tasks become a time consuming exercise in frustration.

[LeroyC]

In the same way that a 20YO Commodore and a current one are the same. You need only try to repair a Quaha/Mokita/Nemox from the current Lelit parts inventory to become aware that there are a host of subtle differences to part anatomy. Some tasks become a time consuming exercise in frustration.

Yeah that's what I meant. An upgrade from a Quaha Junior to a Lelit is still an upgrade. Kind of in the same way that moving from a Silvia V1 to Silvia V4 is an upgrade.

[saeco_user]

In the same way that a 20YO Commodore and a current one are the same.

When I wrote that I was assuming an older Imat / Nemox / Lelit / Quaha which I thought all came out of the same factory.
I hadn't looked at the newer Lelit range.
However I would still argue, that where a new car has a very significant performance improvement over a 20 year old one, my Quaha (with three-way solenoid, well maintained, seals replaced etc) would have very similar performance to a current single Boiler Lelit (no PID).
Taan