I've had this coffee maker for nearly 5 years from new. I live in a hard water area and as such followed the manufacturer guidelines; full decalcination & clean programme every time the machine prompted and a Brita ion exchange water softener in the water reservoir.Within the 1st year of ownership, I started to experience problems with the unit. Coffee volumes were reduced to half a cup, even on the 'large' setting. Gradually, the head that dispenses the coffee/milk/hot water clogged with limescale, requiring an engineer visit and costly (>£100) replacement.After this, I began to run the 'calc & clean programme a bit more often and to use a double concentrated descaling solution when I did, however after another 12-18 months of use the same problem occurred, requiring - you guessed it - another engineer visit & new head.After 4.5 years the unit has packed up once again and I no longer plan to replace the parts involved. Continued replacements reduce the cost effectiveness of each cup, and it's really annoying seeing your cup of coffee gradually reducing in volume knowing that it's just a matter of time until it fails. The engineer was singularly unhelpful and suggested that this was an issue with how I was maintaining it, but I reiterate: I was following manufacturers guidelines.It's now a kitchen ornament.

I've had this coffee maker for nearly 5 years from new. I live in a hard water area and as such followed the manufacturer guidelines; full decalcination & clean programme every time the machine prompted and a Brita ion exchange water softener in the water reservoir.
Within the 1st year of ownership, I started to experience problems with the unit. Coffee volumes were reduced to half a cup, even on the 'large' setting. Gradually, the head that dispenses the coffee/milk/hot water clogged with limescale, requiring an engineer visit and costly (>£100) replacement.
After this, I began to run the 'calc & clean programme a bit more often and to use a double concentrated descaling solution when I did, however after another 12-18 months of use the same problem occurred, requiring - you guessed it - another engineer visit & new head.
After 4.5 years the unit has packed up once again and I no longer plan to replace the parts involved. Continued replacements reduce the cost effectiveness of each cup, and it's really annoying seeing your cup of coffee gradually reducing in volume knowing that it's just a matter of time until it fails. The engineer was singularly unhelpful and suggested that this was an issue with how I was maintaining it, but I reiterate: I was following manufacturers guidelines.
It's now a kitchen ornament.