UPDATE 2020:Since posting the review, I took a punt. Delonghi provide a "maintenance service" at the low cost of £90!! but at this point I wasn't getting much enjoyment from the machine so I went for it. The findings were minimal, but it was something. I had a leak in the one of the valves which was allowing some water to leak out.After getting the machine back the first thing I noticed was that the "bin" wasn't as...moist... which led to less mould build up in the bin, previously it would take 1-2 days to get pretty nasty, now it stays relatively dry for 5-6 days.Coffee wise, I'd say it probably helped boost the strength by 10-20%, so yes it did help, worth adding £100 to my purchase cost of the machine?.... I still think yes, as frankly but I can't help but ask the what-if I had gone for the CAFFEO® SOLO®....------------------------------Original Message:Come originally from a Icona machine (non bean to cup).Loved it, made great coffees and frothed like a champ. My days were happy and coffee filled.However one problem, the thing was a nightmare to keep clean, it would constantly blast grinds all over the place after use. My wife informed me, if she found anymore grinds in the kitchen, either I, or the coffee machine had to go.Now we have the Delonghi Magnifica bean to cup.Firstly, yes. it keeps the grinds behind the scenes and in an impressively small package, so no mess, no divorce papers. Everyone lived happily ever after right? Not, so, fast.Whilst this machine CAN make good coffee, it requires work and a significant amount of its functionality proves about as much use as a cowpat flavoured lollypop.Firstly, the frother: The steam wand itself, is probably on par with a 90 year old nun blowing out the candles on her birthday cake. Given this was an UPGRADE of the Icona, this fact still baffles me.Pro Tip: Heat the milk via the Nun-gun, then finish off using an electric hand whisk.Next, the grinder is also terrible. Regardless of the setting, the coffee always comes out too weak. Even pouring half an Espresso

Come originally from a Icona machine (non bean to cup).

Loved it, made great coffees and frothed like a champ. My days were happy and coffee filled.

However one problem, the thing was a nightmare to keep clean, it would constantly blast grinds all over the place after use. My wife informed me, if she found anymore grinds in the kitchen, either I, or the coffee machine had to go.

Now we have the Delonghi Magnifica bean to cup.

Firstly, yes. it keeps the grinds behind the scenes and in an impressively small package, so no mess, no divorce papers. Everyone lived happily ever after right? Not, so, fast.

Whilst this machine CAN make good coffee, it requires work and a significant amount of its functionality proves about as much use as a cowpat flavoured lollypop.

Firstly, the frother: The steam wand itself, is probably on par with a 90 year old nun blowing out the candles on her birthday cake. Given this was an UPGRADE of the Icona, this fact still baffles me.

Pro Tip: Heat the milk via the Nun-gun, then finish off using an electric hand whisk.

Next, the grinder is also terrible. Regardless of the setting, the coffee always comes out too weak. Even pouring half an Espresso on max settings, if I close my eyes, I could pretend I'm drinking a Starbucks Americano. I believe, this is due to the fact that as the machine grinds, the beans fall through a filter when they are a small enough size. The impact of this, is that they are only against the blades of the grinder for a finite amount of time.

OK. So if its so terrible, why have I being using it for 5 years?

Firstly, gave up on milky coffee. Too much faff.

Secondly, and the saving grace of the machine.....The convenience grind slot!

By using this slot, for adding, pre-ground beans, we can bypass the terrible grinder and make something that tastes something somewhat decent.

I currently use: the De'Longhi KG49 Coffee Grinder. You will notice, there is no slot in this machine and you

For a 4yr old machine to leak/flood the work top is pretty poor!!One wonders if its fit for purpose??

For a 4yr old machine to leak/flood the work top is pretty poor!!

One wonders if its fit for purpose??

Yest another Delonghi coffee machine bites the dust. I bought this 18 months ago and today it died. £430 is a ridiculous amount of money for something that doesn't last a few years, and of course, it's out of warranty now. It's the last Delonghi I'll ever buy.

The coffee maker is great BUT and this is a BIG BUT....you cannot get replacement parts for this model. Within a few weeks of purchase the milk frother broke. I have spent months trying to get a replacement without success. So this is a very expensive espresso machine with ZERO customer service. If the model is discontinued, they should say so. In short, I was ripped off.