If I have time, I'll update my review when I receive my replacement coffee maker. (*** updated ... see below ***) I received my brand new Capresso 464 GS at 11:45 AM on Wednesday, May 4th, 2011. When I got home from work, I opened it up (around 5:00 PM) and read the instructions carefully. Prior to first use you are supposed to run 8 cups of water through the machine without grounds or beans, and the filter, filter basket, and carafe in place. I did so, and ended up with water running all over my counter top and on to the floor. I examined things to assure I didn't do anything wrong. After sopping up lots of water, I put more water in and held the machine up to see if it was dripping from any specific location. Every possible orifice on the bottom of the machine was leaking. I promptly called Capresso's customer service number. I'll say right now that their customer service is excellent. You don't get someone in a country half way around the globe. I explained the situation: purchased from Amazon and opened today; tried the initial water-run-through and got leaks galore. Within 10 minutes or so, I was told a new machine would be at my home in 2 or 3 days, along with a return label for the defective unit. All in all, I believe other companies should take the lead of this one and provide such excellent customer service. However, when I see their product is manufactured in China, and the brand new machine I received was defective right out of the box, I am sorely disappointed in Jura Capresso. Obviously there are "powers that be" in this company who want to save some money by sending their manufacturing operations to China. This is not to say bad things about Chinese laborers, but, they work for pennies on the dollar, and those companies that send their manufacturing to China are sacrificing quality for quantity and the saving of some money. Is it really worth it when it gives your company's reputation a bad name? Jura Capresso, you should be ashamed to put out a product that you charge a premium price for, yet exhibits defects right out of the box. As of May 4th, 2011, I am only giving 3 stars, and that's only because of the customer service Jura Capresso provides. I'll update my review (if I have time, as I mentioned earlier) after I receive my new unit. *** Update: May 13, 2011 *** Well, I received the replacement unit in about 5 business days. Not the 2 or 3 days I was told, but since I still had an old coffee maker that was still working I didn't mind too much. I called customer service once again on Tuesday, May 10, 2011, and got a quick, polite response with the tracking information and was told it would arrive on Wednesday, May 11, 2011. It did, and I immediately put it through the workout. Doing the initial water run-through I saw no leakage. I then programmed it to grind and brew at 5:15AM the next morning, adjusting all settings (extremely easy) as described in the simple-to-read manual. The next morning it started up as expected. Sure the grinder makes noise, but to those of you who have complained about the noise level, I'd like to know where you could find a silent grinder of coffee beans. Stop whining. Sheesh! The grind appeared quite consistent. I suppose it depends on the bean quality, but the end result coffee was very very good. Also, I did not taste any traces of chlorine or plastic. To those people who make this claim, I have to ask, did you do the initial water run-through before first use? Did you use filtered water, distilled water, or at least the filter they provide with the coffee maker? I use water filtered via our reverse osmosis filter system at home, therefore there are vitually no chemicals and no need to use the provided filter. A second morning of pre-programmed grind and brew was performed with a medium grind (instead of the coarsest grind, as recommended in the manual for the first grind-brew). Again, it perfomed nicely and produced a very tasty brew! I should mention we had the aroma setting at the darkest, and brewed 8 cups. All in all, I am raising my rating from 3 stars to 4 stars. I still need to take off a star because of the poor manufacturing I experienced. ** Update June 13, 2017 ** After 6 years, the machine has lived out its useful life. The electronics on the control panel now no longer work. This is understandable because of the moisture factor involved. I'm happy it lasted 6 years. It really was an excellent machine. Unfortunately the price has increased too much to justify spending that for a similar replacement. And, by the way, I am still very impressed with their customer service. I do recommend it.
