A 6yr warranty on pipe and sheet metal is essentially a meaningless come on.

Salvatore makes a good machine, but no better than one with 1yr warranty.

The Salvatore website specifically states a 6 year warranty with a life time warranty on the pressure stat and 2 liter boiler. I do not believe the warranty is simply for the metal and pipe.

An espresso machine is pipe of various diameters encased in sheet metal. Not much to go wrong.

In the old days when electronics were more than a series of chips, we used the 20-20 rule :
If it lasts 20 seconds, it'll probably last 20 minutes.
Keep shifting the time interval left : min < hr < da < yr

Any warranty is figured in the initial cost of the machine.
There is no free lunch.

For a FIRST espresso machine from the choices you presented (sorta), I would go for this model:
http://www.idrinkcoffee.com/Bezzera_BZ10P_Espresso_Machine_p/sa-bez-bz10p-b15.htm
It is a cut above the BZ07 ergonomically and adds a dual pressure gage vice single. Unfortunately, there is no US source for the BZ10 AFAIK, yet.

CafeIKE, I see what you mean. 20 ... 20 ... It makes sense.

MikeyDo,

What did you end up getting?

I ended up getting the Silvia/Vario combo from SCG. When you subtract the cost of the Vario and the other tools that are included that I would have to buy anyway, it made the Silvia pretty cheap, around $500 or so.

My thinking was that this would be a good start for me, and my exposure on the Silvia was minimal. In other words, if I decide to upgrade in a few months, I don't think I'll lose much on the purchase price of the Silvia, since it seems that they still regularly sell for $500 on ebay.

It is due to arrive on Thursday.

And who knows, I may find that the Silvia works okay for me. I am hopeful that it will.

I came real close to pulling the trigger on any number of machines - the Astra Pro, the Oscar (which is available for $950 now at various vendors after discount), the BZ02, etc. Really liked the BZ07, but alas, it went up in price and out of stock to boot.

Thanks again.

And it looks like I bought this setup in the nick of time. Today I see all the major vendors selling the Silvia for $699!

$500! That's fantastic! You're absolutely right about the Silvia's resell value too. Well, congratulations. I think you will get a lot of good use out of the Silvia and the new grinder. Both have reputations for reliability and solid performance. Now all you have to do is find some good fresh roast. There's this guy I buy coffee from when I visit Tampa and he happens to sell it online too. It's http://www.buddybrew.com/ I've tried a lot of the other name brands and I really think this guy beats them all. I've never had creme like I get from his fresh roasted double dog espresso blend... absolutely fantastic! Of course it's usually better to have somebody around the corner that roasts outstanding coffee. I wish you all the best!