No, it's not 10 years old. The 500 series haven't been around since the 80's. If the thing is running the price is good enough for you to take the chance of loosing the whole nut tomorrow, go for it. Parts and service will be a bit of a crap shoot b/o it's age.

I checked on it - it's a 1992. It had a new compressor installed in 2001. It's $350. Whaddya think?

$350?

WHY ARE YOU STILL ON THE COMPUTER??

RUN BUY THAT SUCKER!

With the information you have given and for that price yes I would buy it. As a matter of fact where is it? If you don't want it I'm sure someone else does.

That's a 15 year old fridge, it's past it's expected, useful life. Maybe if they paid you $350 it would be worth it.

Good luck.

momj - the life of a SZ is usually longer than a regualar fridge. 15 is old but not ancient. I'd have to check but I still think the 500 series was discountinued in the 80's. That particular unit may have been put in service in 92' but is that the build date too?

The house I grew up in still has (as far as I know) a 500 series all fridge and all freezer in the kitchen. They were put in in 73-74 ands have only had the door seals replaced on the fridge. Ice maker doesn't work on the freezer either, but we had a stand alone ice machine in butler's pantry.

The house we purchased and are rehabbing came with a 48" SZ, which we estimate to be 15-17 years old. While replacing it seemed kind of dumb, we decided to do so, if only for the piece of mind. Would we be better off donating it to Habitat for Humanity and taking a tax deduction (which is what we are doing with cabinets and plumbing fixtures) or trying to sell it?

Thanks for all this input. I suspect there's no real way to know how long it will last; I called Subzero and they said it all depends on how well it was maintained. They were able to pull records from the serial number (very impressive, I thought) and told me it left the factory in 1992, had ice maker work in 1994 and the compressor done in 2001. They said the expected life was 15-20 years, but of course could be greater or less depending... This one is 16 years old. Basically, it's a crap shoot but I don't see how I can bring myself to pass it up...

If this is the one for sale in MA, I'm not sure it's such a great deal. I went out to take a look at it and decided not to purchase it. If this is the same frig, let me know if you want more feedback.

Yes, it is the one! Oh no! What's wrong with it??? Pepperrel?

Yes, that's the one. I drove out on Sunday to take a look at it. Depending on your needs, it might be worth a shot, but it's not what we're looking for. It was pretty dirty and wasn't plugged in so there was no way to tell how well it works. A new compressor for this model costs nearly $1000 and the seals are $200 per side, so any repairs could quickly add up. The stainless panels were in kind of rough condition. They weren't terrible, but my wife would never let me put it in our kitchen. Also, I think this same refrigerator was listed for sale last month. In the first ad, the seller said that one of the seals was bad, but there is no mention of this in the current ad. Also, it sounds like the seller either doesn't know or is intentionally mis-stating the age of the unit. If you get him to plug it in ahead of time so that you can verify that it's working and you are comfortable with the cosmetics, it could be a good deal. It looks better in the pictures that he put in his most recent ad than it did in person.

Wo. The guy said he'd deliver it and arranged to bring it by tomorrow afternoon. Now I'm questioning his motives on delivering it. In the pictures it looks good. Thank you for this post. You have officially scared me off. It's true - if it looks too good to be true, it probably is...

I just rediscovered this thread after Googling "Sub Zero 532". How topical. Our SZ 532 is now for sale. We've been offered $2,500 for it, the 27" Thermador (or was it Dacor?) double ovens (both convection) and four-burner Bosch cooktop. Does that sound like too much? Too little? It certainly sounds preferable to donating them for a tax break. Should I provide an "as-is" receipt to protect myself?

I would not buy an old used refrigerator for any reason. They are just too expensive to repair and to run. However, if the 'look' is right and you can get a working unit for "next to nothing"...then, maybe you could...would...should.

But I wouldn't.

our sub 532 has a build date of 1988 and is original to our house which we have owned for 1.5 years. we have only had a couple problems, i had to replace the fan motor on the fresh food side cause the bearings were going out and making noise, also the copper tubing running through the drain pan from the freezer side failed and lost all our freon, had that replaced and system recharged. added decorative panels when we did a complete kitchen remodel, all new appliances except the 532.

I have one of these as well. I've had it listed on craigslist for 1000.00. Is this to much to ask for it? I've had a difficult time trying to find anything to compare prices.

I think you will have a really tough time selling a 20 year-old fridge for $1000, no matter what the condition. Is it stainless? That might help your chances, but otherwise you would probably be better off donating it and taking the tax break.

We have a Sub Zero 532 we got from Habitat for Humanity about3 years ago. The fan on the inside top shelf is not running. The ice maker is hooked up but does not work. The four small lights near the refrigerator top shelf do not go on. Other than those items the machine works fine.
We are about to call a certified Sub Zero repair person to come do a diagnostic exam and recommendation.
Does anyone out there have any suggestions or comments on what this might cost to get up and running again? Thanks for your help and comments.

Sorry I have to jump in on this discussion. I bought a new Subzero 48" 600 series 6 years ago and moved out and rented the house. Our new home had a 532 48" SZ from 1992. I had a home warranty and had compressor issues from day one. The 532 has 2 compressors and you need to make sure your home warranty covers built in frigs with 2 compressors. We had the seals replaced and both compressors and it runs like a champ for the last 4 years. Our 532 is now 19 years old and the life span on these frig is way past 20 years! Just make sure you have a home warranty. Most people don't realize you can add a home warranty to your house at any time for approx $60 a month for 4k s ft. Just my 2 cents..

I just bought a 532good great working condition just replaced the defrost timer. Everythworks I paid $200.00

I would these refrigerators last like 40 years. I have had one for over 20 years and I have had no problems. I like SubZero they are reliable. There is a great website out there that offers custom panels, I just found them. www.westcoastbuiltinfridges.com Im going to order the stainless steel for my 550. Then I dont even have to get a new fridge, but I get a new look. Awesome, Huh!

I just replaced a sub-zero 532 which I purchased in 1987. It has been under a maintenance agreement all these years and it was still running well. The company providing the maintenance agreement indicated they would no longer be willing to provide the warranty as parts were very difficult to come by and were very expensive. Mine is proof that they still run after 24 years. Only problem: freezer compartment wasn't as cold as it once was and still worked perfectly for most items but not so good for ice creme and the magnetic strips around both refrig and freezer were weak and we had to be certain the doors were closed.

I had my 23 year old Sub Zero 532 (it was well maintained and has a documented service history) listed for sale locally on craigslist and the local paper. Several people contacted me to purchase it and one came to see it and offered a full deposit and would pick it up once my kitchen remodel was completed. I was asking $2,500.

Listed it because I was thinking of a new counter depth refrigerator just because we wanted something new to match the other appliances installed with the new kitchen, but was disappointed none had anything close to the 30 cu feet of the SZ. The buyer was extremely disappointed when I returned his check.

The new ones go for $9k, so I guess I had it listed too cheap anyway. Glad I kept it. I would recommend buying a good used 532, particularly if the seller has documentation.

We have a 532 from 1993. For 24 years this frig has had very little issues. A couple days ago the compressor went out and the tech said we need to change out tubing, exchanger, compressor and might as well add a new thermostat. Basically a total rebuild. We love the frig so going to spend the $1,800 vs. $10k for a new one.

Kborchart, do you mind me asking who you are using to fix your 532? The fridge side of my 532 (built in 1998) also just went out. I've got two quotes which includes replacing the compressor, exchanger...total rebuild. Both quotes came in at around $2,500. At some point the freezer side will go out as well and at that point I'd be looking at another $2,500. Based on that I was considering just replacing it with either a BI-48 which will run $10,000 or even a PRO48 which is considerably more. But at $1,800 per rebuild maybe repairing it would make more sense.

We're purchasing a home which was custom built in '91. It has a 532 which appears to be working well - after apparently 27 years!! Seals must be great -- as it's hard to open the doors. I suppose we'll just ride it out for as long as it's willing to work !!

We're getting ready to do a kitchen remodel and ours is from 1993. We toyed with the idea of trying to sell it, thinking no one would want it. Now I think it might be worth a try and get a couple hundred dollars for it. (Our Habitat won't take donations of appliances over 7 years old.)

Gas leaks can be repaired with $20 internal sealant from Walmart used for car AC systems.

No need to replace tubing for condensate evaporator.

Job takes about 1 hour and is usually less than $200.

marinewife93 - what did you end up doing with your fridge?

Subzero. No regrets. Went with Thermador range and have had constant problems.

Just bought a house with a 1993 SZ Model 532 and am having the same dilemma as many of the above commenters of years past we are doing a full kitchen remodel and it seems a shame to get rid of the SZ, but I can’t help but to think it is already on borrowed time at 28 years old.