SubZeros are a in a different class than the others. People complain that they don't use the newest technology, OTOH, they use what works and lasts and they know it works and lasts. There was an issue about ten years ago, I think, where they got some bad materials that failed. They fixed it. They have added fresh food filters that really do work to keep your produce nicer longer (though you can balance that against how long you ought to keep the produce). With a SubZero, you repair it until it dies or you remodel the kitchen. Historically, (as with all makes) the ice maker is the most trouble prone, but if it fails it doesn't affect your food. Also, after a long time expect a compressor to fail and be replaced.

If you need to skimp on your appliances, the fridge is the place to do it, and while I've also heard reports of bad on the others, one does hear more bads than goods on any of them. A properly working fridge will keep your food cold. A better fridge will keep a fairly constant temperature when keeps your food better and longer. A very best fridge does that better, has filters and features that truly make it better at the margin, but there's a lot of money going into marginal features, so it depends on how important those features are to you.

Well, Hello Pillog, good to see your post again.

As you probably recall, I didn't always agree with you on your SZ posts.

I've been a Jenn-Air fan.

Well, this time I do Agree With You !!!!!

Am I getting "senile" at 75 years old now? that's a distinct possibility!

The reason for the change of heart/mind is:

My Jenn-Air 48" built in & paneled fridge is now 11 years old and starting to have problems, the problems have been cheap to fix usually $300 or less including parts labor & service. It's had about 4 service calls now for either freezer temperature problems or defrost, and in fact now we have to run the fridge with the top cover removed or it shuts down from the heat, and the freezer has iced up again, (after a repair a couple months ago).

Anyway "Enough IS Enough" !!!

Sooo, I checked new fridges, No new fridge will accept our wood panels from the Jenn-Air, grrrrrrr!!!!

So this means we will go with an SS fridge, I looked at reviews on Kitchenaid fridges, (that's ScareY)!!!!! Lot of mother boards failing, and KitchenAid even quit making the mother boards and relies on a 3rd party vendor to make them. Anyway, don't take my word for it, look up and read Kitchenaid fridge reviews for yourself.

As Kitchenaid is made by Whirlpool, and so is Jenn-air now, (It wasn't when I bought the 2006 fridge), I don't feel the Jenn-Air Fridges will fare much better reliability & service wise than the Kitchenaids. I also hate the Black (Obsidian) interior color of the Jenn-Airs.

So at this point in our lives, we want a fridge that will most likely not need service, (in our lifetime) and if it does, we want to deal with a company that will have the correct parts in stock, and know how to service the fridge. (It's kinda "hit & miss" with the Jenn-Air).

Anyway, We are looking at the Sub-Zero BI-48S/S (stainless steel) and would appreciate any and all coments about buying the SZ from anybody & "Especially You" Pillog.

Gary, (59dodge) leaves now to go finish his "Crow Luncheon"!

Gary

Thanks for writing Gary. Sorry about the too soon bad fridge. I'm going for Sub Zero.....now if I could just pick a really good cooktop hood.....

Hi all! Just thought I'd share my experiences as 48" side-by-side Sub-Zero owner, model 632F, built in 2000.

It's been an absolute pleasure! To the best of my recollection, we've only had two service calls over the entire 17 years: the first (about 10 years ago) was for a broken door switch, and the second (about two months ago) was to replace a leaking evaporator coil on the refrigerator side.

Hey, Gary!

I'm so sorry about your fridge! It's actually had a decent run for what one would expect.

The thing to remember about a SubZero is that it will need some repairs too. The ice maker, and eventually it'll probably need a new compressor. The thing is, the whole thing, including the interior, should last with proper maintenance and repair.

ETA: Those repairs are over the course of decades, however, not years.

TheSculptor: Look at Tradewind and ModernAire.

Lovely testimony!

I should add that there were a few other some repairs over the years - replacing the thermostat in both units, adding some kind of wiring harness to the freezer, etc.

We're remodeling the kitchen before we move into our next house and at first DH wanted a Wolf range. When I explained about the infamous flaking blue interiors he just assumed that we'd get the same kind of customer service from Sub Zero/Wolf and that they'd make it right. However after reading about the problem on this site for years I wasn't so sure. I find the entire scenario rather perplexing and we didn't buy a Wolf - our 30" Platinum BlueStar should be installed in a few weeks.