Hi there - I am considering a Pasquini Livia 90 automatic machine but am really worried about the break downs and repairs out of the warranty - now the machine is used but my friend's brother states he has had it for about a year and has not had any problems.
Currently - I have a Kitchenaid Proline and given the issues I am having (gauge not working properly) - the company is willing to give me my money back (500 $). Now I loved the Kitchenaid - as it was easy to clean/use and there was no other complications.

I though i can apply this (500 $) to the machine. Can someone please advise me as to how complicated and difficult is it to get this fixed - should it break down?

I will be using this to make mostly lattes about twice a week. Would there still be a lot of upkeep?
Thank you guys...

Based on the Livia's long track record, I would not be concerned about reliability. FYI, I frequently recommend its cousin the Bezzera BZ02 as an entry level HX espresso machine. They share many of the same internal components.

Well - just had a conversation with Pasquini - and I am not impressed. I asked if they had any machines for sale (reconditioned) - they stated that they would not be interested in making a sale as "these machines need work every now and then and it would not be profitable if we have to ship the machine back to you". Instead he directed me to 1st-line equipment.
This speaks volumes - when a company admits that the machine will have to be brought into the repair shop so often that it would eat into their profits?
He also said that "machines are designed to last forever however I have not yet found the right customer" - I guess people who stated they have problems are really not the right customers.

In any case- I am not bitter, just a bit disappointed. I wish there was a company which would stand by their product without the drama. Williams sonoma is an example - although they don't make any products - they always stand by it and I would feel very comfortable buying the same machine from them even if it costs more.
Please don't take this the negative way, I am just stating my experience.

fishairflow wrote:...they stated that they would not be interested in making a sale as "these machines need work every now and then and it would not be profitable if we have to ship the machine back to you". Instead he directed me to 1st-line equipment.

I think that's a fair statement. Pressurestats fail, vacuum breakers stick, and gaskets wear out outside of warranty. That's the bad news. The good news is that if you're modestly handy, you can do these maintenance items yourself.

Oh, and they're right: 1st-line is top-notch, and not surprisingly, is an HB sponsor.

how much can you get the machine for ? this would be the big thing to know


I own a Livia 90 auto but its broken not sure what it was but going to send it in one day to get it worked on had it for something like 10 years ? cant remember correctly now
but it was time to update my machine and I now own a Elektra A3 been about 1.5 years with my new Elektra and have replaced the gasket and screen which is standard on all machines
parts I had a electronic switch go down out of warranty and in warranty the little spring that holds the handle up so the handle would just flop down
not a big deal and easy to fix and part of owning anything ?

if I was buying a Pasquini new I would look at other machines

personally if I could pick one up used for $500 I would snag it for a $1000 I might consider it depending on condition but over $1200 their are some other machines I would/might consider

As always, the standard questions:

-- What sort of drinks do you (want to) make? Straight espresso shots, cappuccinos, lattes, americanos? If you were to estimate a percentage breakdown of each drink, what might it be?

-- How many drinks do you need to make, on average, at any one time?

-- How many drinks do you make over the course of an average week?

-- What is your budget, and does that include a grinder or just the machine? (And if just the machine, what grinder are you using now?)

* * * * *

Just knowing that you're looking at a Pasquini Livia, I would second the suggestion of a Bezzera BZ02 . . .

Cheers,
Jason

Thanks guys -

I can get it for about 700 $.

I will mostly use it for Cappuccinos and Lattes - rarely a shot of espresso - and I truly mean rarely - about 5-6 times a year.

I am also thinking if it is worth going through this trouble and can I just be happy with either the current Kitchenaid Proline machine (however then constantly worry about it breaking down and not having any support) or get one of these combos - I think it was Gaggia Classic and MDF grinder combo.

BTW - after my conversation with Pasquini I spoke with 1st-line and it was an absolute pleasure.

$700 I would go for it but of course try to get it for less

having had this machine (and going to fix it up for a second or backup machine etc..)
I will ramble a bit on my thoughts

I went up the stages of machines from a basic krups to a estro Profi (a saeco) to the pasquini to now the elektra A3

my thought would be it will be much nicer than a Gaggia classic or your kitchen aid by a good margin especially when it comes to steaming milk

I can say when I was looking at the under $1000 machines and the over $1000 at the time I was looking at my pasquini which was about 1992 or so the under $1000 just never had the boiler to really keep up with milk steaming and were not in the same class as the over $1000 machines ? I still feel the same is true
and Jim at 1st line told me to trust him and if I was not happy with it I could return it
being on Maui it was hard to get machines that heavy over there so I really did a lot of research and tried hands on machines I could find on the island

I got to try out a few machines in that sub $1000 then decided to jump for the pasquini and it was amazing how much nicer it was to use and the quality once I got it dialed in and learned the machine over the 6-7 years I used it with no real problems just annual replacing the gasket and screen
upgrading to the Elektra A3 was another major step forward but you PAY big time to get into this next step and for me it was worth it but when you are looking at $3000 - $4500 for a machine you better know what you are getting into
I make about 2-3 drinks daily and enjoy the nice quality

I do think new in the price range it is at in the $1700 machines there are other options I would get (as a example the Vibiemme or Vetrano machines I would look at)
the closest competitor with like specs in some ways might be the Anita by Quick Mill just cause of the pour over HX machine with about the same size tank etc...


as far as being happy with current or less machines ? I imagine you can, heck I would be happy with my pasquini if I never tried my elektra but in no way would I ever have been happy with my estro or the silvia or the other machines I tried in that sub $600 price range
so once you know what a nicer machine is like you will not want to go back to another machine ever again
so if you dont get the nicer machine you will be happy but if you get it and try it then you will realize their is no going back

and when I say nicer ? what do I mean TASTE first off
on a scale of 1-10 the taste you can pull out consistently of a basic machine might be a 5-7 a nicer machine like the pasquini or vetrano might be a 8-9 the elektras and others can get you those 10s !

then the milk steaming since I drink milk drinks the steaming power and quality of the steamed milk is something you just have to use and try and you will smile and kinda laugh at what you put up with before


hope this helps you a bit from a owner of a pasquini who has had various machines used and loved mine for over 7 years and just got the upgrade bug since I do make 2-3 a day