I can't speak for these models, but I purchased the bottom of the line Bosch for our house in 2002. We moved in 2005, so I had three years with it. I LOVED it. It was extremely quiet (convenient as the kitchen was so near the area with our one tv), efficient, and did a great job. I never missed having the other features. (How often does one really use the china setting?) It was also handy to be able to readjust the top tray to make it higher or lower, although I did this only once a year at Thanksgiving.

I bought it because efficiency and quietness were so high on my list. I do think, though, that Bosch does have an upscale image as a high quality and reliable brand.

In my opinion, for a rental, go with the basic run of the mill DW. It is a business, so be mindful of expenses. I rent several properties, and know renters well after many years. Most do not care about whether you have a Bosch or a cheaper brand. My cheaper DWs have lasted a long time. It is usually all the other things that go bad, such as the racks, which will be an issue in any DW. And you will find, replacing parts, like the racks, gets almost as expensive as replacing the DW all together. Renters will never treat your property as if it was there own anyways.

Pete,

What's the basic DW you use? Do you then just go for the cheapest one possible?

When I was looking at DWs, I was afraid that the lowest priced ones, at around 200-300, were more likely to break down the next tier of DWs at around 500.

And, since the cheapest Bosch DWs could be found around that price, I figured it'd be better, from a marketing perspective, to get the cheapest Bosch DW than the most expensive Maytag if they both ended up costing the same. If I got a Bosch, I would highlight that rather using more generic terms in my ads.

My rental is in a good location with the moneyshot views from the kitchen, so I'd figure it was important that the kitchen should be nice. Also, the rental has an open floor plan, and I thought a quieter DW like Bosch would be more appreciated.

We bought a bottom of the line Bosch less than a year ago -- already having trouble with gritty glasses and I have a feeling that the electronics are about to go (had to set and reset the cycle a few time last nite before it actually worked.) Bought it with the thought that I'd replace it in five years. Now wishing I'd purchased the repair insurance as this looks like another piece of dishwashing junk.

We bought a low-end Bosch dishwasher about two years ago and I've hated it. It always leaves some kind of residue on something. I've never had a load of dishes (large or small) come out 100% clean. It always has a smell - lingering or strong -- not a food-type smell but a weird sort of metal smell. Its capacity is noticeably smaller than my old defunct Sears Kenmore Ultra Wash (which made things sparkle for ten years before it succumbed to whatever kills electronics.) No more Bosch dishwashers for us!

This is my experience of applinaces. Cheap generic rental model DW never seem to break down (these DWs are nearly 20 years old in our rental properties). (we have not had that call yet!) However, my (and our friends') high end appliances (Asko, Miele, Viking, Bosch etc etc) never seem to last that many years. (10 years max...) My neighbor moved his repaired Miele from his residence to his rental.

In my personal experience, it is the electronics that break down. If you get the basic DW models, there are no electronics. They still use mechanical timers.

Not only that, if something breaks down, no one wants the hassle of repairman. Each time someone comes out, it is couple hundred $. You mighy as get a new DW at that point...

If I wanted a machine with a SS tub I would get a low end Kitchenaid, otherwise I would just go with a middle road Maytag, GE or Whirlpool/Kenmore. I actually read on the Best Buy Reviews where one of the BOL GE's got the 5 star ratings.

Reason I would skip the Bosch:
The filter will require some maintenance-more/less depending on how well they scrape or rinse. If the filter clogs, then it stops cleaning and then they are calling you.
With the other brands, they have the grinder which will take care of that better than the Bosch. The drying might also be a problem with Bosch but with other brands they can select a heat dry. Bosch also recommends you use powder detergent and not any gels(at least they told me this) because of the amount of water they use whereas this would not be the case with the other brands.

I think Bosch is a great machine BUT for a rental I believe another brand would be best BUT that is JMO.

I bought a bottom end Bosch and it was very, very quiet. It did an ok job of cleaning. In order to get great cleaning and super quiet, you need to go higher up in the Bosch offerings. Quiet was my priority because it was in the "great room" of a summer house. We mainly grilled, so I didn't need great cleaning. For a rental, I would go with Kenmore for ease of repairs. Unless the dw is in an open kitchen, you really don't need to pay up for the quietness of a bosch. Good cleaning and ease of repair would be my priorities.

It hasn't been my experience that lower end/basic DWs last longer. Our most recent experience: We lived in an old mobile home (already on our property) while we built a home from 2005 to early 2008. Soon after moving in, the 2 to 3 yr old, basic GE DW that was in there quit... We put in a basic Frigidaire to replace it and it was on its last legs by the time we moved into the house (parts breaking, latch not working right, etc.) Meanwhile, both were loud, melted things (Bosch sure won't do that, since there's not a heated dry with the coil in the bottom), and didn't do a good cleaning job. If I wanted something for a rental, I'd want something that would last and work well (for no complaints and repair visits), and the only ones that have done a good job at that for us is Bosch...But our current ones are the 500 series, so not their most expensive, but not the cheapest either. The one that did a good job for us running 2 or more loads a day in our last house for 7+ years (and still working as well as new when we left) was near the top of the line when we bought it, but now would be comparable to the 300 series, I think.