Anyone familiar with this model? I'm tempted just because of the price.

It's a Bosch Ascenta which is a Hi-bred unit with a poly lower tub and a stainless upper. It still has the flow through heater. Our trainer said the heater is slightly faster than the one used in the higher models and is the same as the heater used in their new highest end model with the water softener. Moderately quiet but at the upper noise scale for a Bosch which are known for their quietness. Think I remember they are somewhere around 50db.

I am skeptical about this, especially the 2 piece tub. That is asking for problems.

Jakvis - what about the pump? that's the item that get the biggest workout.

At $300 it's prob. worth the roll of the dice - I mean what else can you get for that much?

The pump and heater are the pretty much the same as they are using in their $2000 dishwasher. I got to see the machines side by side during our teardown.
After going through training on both machines I'm not worried about the hi-bred tub. It looks solid and well designed. We were told that this tub has already been proven in the Euro market and is now being brought across the pond and built here in North Carolina along side of their standard models.

then it should be a good value at the lower end. I had a chance to o over one recently and It looks nice and the spec sheet is impressive , but the thing feels like a kids toy.

The trainer explained the differences as trying to produce a more mass market machine while using the same main components of the more expensive machines. They even designed the latch to have a louder click than the standard machines that almost have a car door solid sound when closing. They did all this as to give a great machine at a lower price but also be able to show why to step up to the quieter more expensive machines if the budget allows.
Kind of like a Buick - Cadillac type of step.

" They did all this as to give a great machine at a lower price but also be able to show why to step up to the quieter more expensive machines if the budget allows.
Kind of like a Buick - Cadillac type of step. "

This is what I was afraid of. Didn't the BSH suits learn anything for their colleagues over at Daimler? A high quality company has a very hard time dumbing down and cheapening their product to gain sales and market share. It just doesn't work over the long haul. The opposite (low quality/cheap to nice/$$$)works because it's the natural order of things.

Think the Buick/Caddy analogy is a bit off. Maybe Caddy - Chevy and even more to the point I do not think GM is a poster child of how to run a business except from the standpoint of what not to do.

Here's what I found and some opinions of a far-from-expert on dishwashers. To set the stage, we have a 10-ish-year-old Maytag that works like a champ, but we're afraid will belly-up on us.

Cut to the chase -- Couldn't resist a $250 Bosch, especially when our local utility gives us a $50 rebate on its purchase.

We looked at the Ascentia and the Evolution models. I can't comment on the Integra units. I have not looked at Miele units at all.

The Ascentia has basically the same racking system as the Evolution. Very functional for us, especially compared to our current center-post-sprayer and fixed cutlery basket. While Bosch, in general, claims that a 12" plate can fit with the upper rack in the lower position (which it probably does), a 12"x18" cutting board requires the upper position so that the spray arm clears. Not a big deal. Even with the upper rack in the upper position, there is well over 6" of glass height, more than enough for our biggest mugs and glasses. The lower racking is pretty good, and plenty of room for our 6 qt. Kitchenaid mixer bowl. Our 12" Heath Ceramics (heavy stoneware) dinner plates stack nicely, with reasonable space in between.

The fit and finish on the Ascentia vs. the Evolution didn't seem significantly different to us. The PP bottom seems reasonable. One significant difference is that the filter mesh area is smaller on the Ascentia. Still very easy to get to and clean. The Evolution has a slightly "nicer" soap/rinse aid dispenser, but the Ascentia was very functional.

The Ascentia we looked at has a top-shelf-only wash option, which will be helpful for the two of us.

We looked at one of the KitchenAid units that was one of the most expensive that our Lowe's store had ($800 price class, as I recall), and that sealed the deal for us. While "American" dishwashers have deeper shelves, the ease of cleaning, the lack of an exposed element, and the better racking on the Bosch, for us, was very evident.

Bottom line? $250 to my door, net, for a decent dishwasher? Even if our isn't dead yet, it is time...

We just ordered one, hope it's good!

Jeff..... $299 to your door, donÂt forget the $50 for shipping.

I am hearing reports of people getting a further $100 back in local state rebates $50 & $50, not sure how they are doing that, but go for it guys ..... :)

This in my mind is a real family and friends deal. But for $249 it's a darn good deal. with a full 1 year Bosch warranty.

this has got to be at or less than cost to actually get the processsed raw materials into your house.

It's a steal even if it only outlasts the warranty by 1 year.

the reason its so inexpensive is because three instant rebates from my chapter of a buying group, the major buying group and the manufacturer have all aliened.