EM6900 Reliability

[Boss]

Re: EM6900 Reliability

I have an EM6900 and use it 2-4 times per day.  When I first started using it and once I got  the grind & coffee sorted I was very happy with the quality of the shots using about a 10-12 grind (Sunbeam EM0480).  Only recently I have found that I have lost my coffee mojo and can not pick the problem.   The coffee I use is the same 5 Sense blend - always fresh.  I am now constantly adjusting the grind etc .  Given the posts made has any one else experienced a deterioration in performance over time.  At this stage I have not had the problems mentioned above -  My machine is now 6 months old

[marcstolk]

Re: EM6900 Reliability

Add Gaggias to the list of reliable alternatives (and yes, they do have problems of their own which some people love to overemphasize).Greg

Yes, having owned a Gaggia Espresso Deluxe I can verify that the boiler is too small and the steaming power while good, doesnt go the distance - Something I always had frustration with. Having said that, it was a quality machine to learn on without a doubt.

One glaring thing about the Sunbeams vs the other machines being mentioned are that the Sunbeams are made in China and QA there tends to be pretty piss poor unless the customer (Sunbeam in this case) keep right on top of the product. Given the underengineering of the grouphead/thermoblock junction, this combination is a recipe for disasterous unreliability which is what EM6900 owners seem to be experiencing. Sunbeam need to supervise their contracted builder much more closely for this (admittedly much more complex) machine than they do with their single themoblock machines. They may need to pay the contactor more (hence drive up the price of the machine) to get the QA it requires, as the contractors in China will take any leeway they are given to cut production costs and make more money out of a deal.
Greg

You hit the nail on the head Greg... QA is something Im questioning... I have always held Sunbeam as a quality brand at a good price... I really do think the EM6910 will be an amazing machine "IF" QA is much improved and the known, much reported problems are resolved - specifiy the "Group Head>Thermoblock" junction.

[JavaB]

Re: EM6900 Reliability

Still looking for a good value automatic.

Ive sent you a PM with details of a machine you might be interested in......

[Mr_Bean]

Re: EM6900 Reliability

Yup doesnt matter where in the world, peanuts and monkeys I think. To be honest the electronics (and hardware if manufactured locally) dont cost much so I reckon if the QC was improved they could still keep the price down.

I like the Gaggia but Im a bit wary of aluminium boilers and the health implications. Alan Frew reckons theres significant corrosion of an alu group component as well so theyre lower down on my list. I like the auto dosing which is why I havent gone out for a Silvia/Mokita. Still looking for a good value automatic.

[kaanage]

Re: EM6900 Reliability

Add Gaggias to the list of reliable alternatives (and yes, they do have problems of their own which some people love to overemphasize).

One glaring thing about the Sunbeams vs the other machines being mentioned are that the Sunbeams are made in China and QA there tends to be pretty piss poor unless the customer (Sunbeam in this case) keep right on top of the product. Given the underengineering of the grouphead/thermoblock junction, this combination is a recipe for disasterous unreliability which is what EM6900 owners seem to be experiencing. Sunbeam need to supervise their contracted builder much more closely for this (admittedly much more complex) machine than they do with their single themoblock machines. They may need to pay the contactor more (hence drive up the price of the machine) to get the QA it requires, as the contractors in China will take any leeway they are given to cut production costs and make more money out of a deal.

Oh, and Im chinese so Im not being racist when I say this (plus my disapproval of their generally unethical behaviour regarding copyright).

Greg

[Mr_Bean]

Re: EM6900 Reliability

To be fair, I think the EM6910 would be an amazing machine with all the current problems addressed/\/resolved. Keep an eye out for this model.

The thing is, unless one was going to wait another few months from the release of EM6910 (which I cant), the reliability of the latter couldnt be counted on. On the surface it seems like a killer product, leagues ahead of anything else in its price range but I wouldnt like to be a guinea pig with the new version either.

It will be interesting to see how the 6910 fares. I hope Sunbeam sort it out because they will corner the popular market if they do. No disrespect to their efforts so far - theyve specced the machine well for the asking price, but in this case the the sum of its parts is not greater than the whole. Reminds me of some car makers, to take the test driver analogy a little further. Now where are the keys to my Hyundai?

[marcstolk]

Re: EM6900 Reliability

To have second or third machines go wrong is a bad sign IMHO. I think the EM6900 is off my shortlist!

To be fair, I think the EM6910 would be an amazing machine with all the current problems addressed/\/resolved. Keep an eye out for this model.

[Mr_Bean]

Re: EM6900 Reliability

To have second or third machines go wrong is a bad sign IMHO. I think the EM6900 is off my shortlist!

[Feathers]

Re: EM6900 Reliability

I am on my second in less than 12 months. This time the seal appears to be faulty and the filter arm is rapidly running out of tightening arc. This was a similar problem in the first machine but the handle was off centre by about 20 degrees from new. I have only had the replacement for barely two months so I am very disappointed.

My earlier EM3500 was a black plastic beauty, so naturally I thought that the EM6900 would be a natural progression. Design wise it certainly is, and the coffee quality is superior but reliability------?

I believe that this is the 21st century technology but it seems to be let down by the "haporth of tar".

Third strike and its out, and reluctantly Ill be forgetting technology and reverting to tradition.

[telemaster]

Re: EM6900 Reliability

Ill stick my neck out here and mention an unpopular machine- the saeco via venezia-
I bought one about 6 years ago- my son now has it
it is unpopular because of the pressurised filterholder but that can be replaced for under $50- it has good solid well made parts (including stainless steel boiler) and in my experience is reliable- going in for its first service soon

I learnt a lot on it and Ive seen it going for $430 new

Please dont tell me its disadvantages (Im aware of them)

This isnt I own an Italian machine snobbery - its just an example that it is possible to buy (or build) a reliable machine for not a huge amount of money

Hopefully Sunbeam will get its act together .

brett

ps - ask espresso technicians or (trainers) their advice- when I was buying the saeco I rang around and was told- looked after it may see 20 years service and when I took it home the first thing I did was look under the bonnet- minimum number of parts, no printed circuits- just hoses, switches, pumps boiler etc
it looked totally agricultural

[marcstolk]

Re: EM6900 Reliability

I guess we get what we pay for...

I couldnt afford the Silvia for what price I paid for the Sunbeam... but the quality of machine between the 2 are worlds apart. What bugs me is the apparent false adverting "Commersial Design, Commersial Performance". Surely performance must include reliability??

Ive just emailed Damien Court - Sunbeam marketing manager. Hopefully hell press the right buttoms. Surely, the EM6910 is an improvement?

[TC]

Re: EM6900 Reliability

Wow..These tales of woe amaze me.....At what point do we start calling them lemons....which is what they pretty much are- or so it would seem... :

Id be super angry if it was a car and had been in service for one month outa five.....Not good enough I say. Poor Sunbeam owners are being used as test pilots...Thats whi I recommend the Silvia and Botticelli over a Sunbeam- any time any day...

Chris

[telemaster]

Re: EM6900 Reliability

hey mr bean i can see ill have to start working out too- got me jealous!

brett

[Mr_Bean]

Re: EM6900 Reliability

Great body too incidentally....

[telemaster]

Re: EM6900 Reliability

this is scary guys- only used a sunbeam once- a friends and it seemed quite a nice little machine
sunbeam had better get its act together or paul basset will not be a happy man!

brett

ps repairs are amazing things- i put my botticelli in for a check over and was surprised when i got a call to say pick up a new machine
i thought- what could be so serious as to need that?

turns out the baby was checked over and then accidentally dropped onto a concrete floor!