When buying appliances the first thing is function . Does the appliance do what you want from it, if not keep looking. They do not have to come from the same maker that is why stainless has been popular for so long stainless from any maker looks good with stainless from some other maker.IMO sub-zero and wolf are totally over rated and all I have ever had with Miele DWs is trouble in clients homes. So find what functions for you and you will be happy.

I feel your pain, bardzil. I have been going through the same decision making process. If I buy all from one manufacturer, I will save a lot of money because of rebates, freebies, etc. I finally said, forget it, get what you really need and want. I read somewhere that manufacturer's offer the rebates and freebies because people would not generally buy a complete kitchen suite of all the same appliance brand without them. Check out Yale Appliance's website for some very informative blogs about appliance brands. They really helped me make my decision.

It's true, I've read some awful reviews about Sub Zero. I know on America's Test Kitchen they use Fisher & Paykel appliances. They're all about getting the best whatever they're testing so I'd think they'd be pretty picky. You might check them out.

We haven't purchased anything yet. Our home renovation/addition was delayed so we'll likely be starting sometime in 2017. I'm still torn and don't know what I will get!

I'd suggest you consider KitchenAid. They are high quality at an upper mid range price.

Avoid Thermador -- I wish I had done so. The "stainless" they use is not really stainless at all. The cast iron grates are basically rusting without cause. I finally was able to get a representative sent out by Thermador and he stated the cooktop should be replaced. Then he said he would see me in a few weeks, once the paperwork was approved. Corporate contradicted him and said no replacement would be approved. No explanation, just a simple refusal. Look around and you will see the horrible customer service stories -- believe them and save yourself the frustration.

I would go with Miele or Gaggenau.

We are going through the same issue.

Range - We wanted to do the Miele - but they combine a speed oven and regular oven which is dumb. Nobody wants to reach that low for a microwave.

So the Thermador for the combo steam/regular oven seems like the best option - but stuarton's message above concerns me.

We could do the Miele 36" range, install the steam oven next to it in the cabinetry, and then put a speed oven high, I suppose.

Fridges - We prefer Miele to Subzero. So that is the way we are going. I wish they had more column sizes, but whatever. The only other vendor I'd be tempted by is True, but their residential columns aren't out yet and who knows how good they will be.

Dishwasher - Miele are the best. The house we are moving into has a top end Bosch so we will use it for now. But whenever it gets replaced, Miele.

Any updates on appliance performance from those who were still in the process of buying :)

Love this comment from Patricia Colwell: When buying appliances the first thing is function . Does the appliance do what you want from it, if not keep looking.

The struggle I have found has been with the Fridge/Freezer. We are doing a new house build and came from a house where we had 2, 27cu ft side by sides and a chest freezer in different parts of the house. It was a pain with all of the food scattered around. From the beginning I had focused on the Frigidaire Pro/Electrolux Icon separate Fridge/Freeze combo. The next issue is buying from an appliance store that supports the product not a large box-house retailer. We have not found one appliance store with service who sells Frigidaire or Electro in our area. Our builder uses a appliance store that has its own support but their entry level is KA and the 48" KA side by side is just to small. Their other option is Thermador which is a budget killer at over 14k (Options for SS & Handles and Heater req). Ive also been told by the Thermador rep that the new model columns still have some kinks to be worked out. It is a real challenge to find 24-30" columns that are not over 10k for the pair. Have also looked at Leibherr and Marvel.