Older 1 group la pavoni - is this a good deal?

by **huzar** on Wed Sep 14, 2011 5:32 pm

I have the opportunity to pick up an older (late 80's?) 1 group la pavoni plus a rancilio burr grinder for $450:

I'm told the machine pours fine, the pressure pump was rebuilt and the unit was descaled. The grinder works. Possible problems are that the pressure gauge might be broken, and the pressure has not been dialed in.

Thoughts on whether this is a good deal? Problems to watch out for with these? Recommendations for someone who knows these machines in the Seattle area in case I have problems?

Thanks for any info.

by **stefano65** on Wed Sep 14, 2011 6:06 pm

I normally don't get involved with prices

grinder looks like a rossi could be good,

old pavoni
If the dosing control/brain box works and as you were told the gauge is the only issue,

you could be doing OK
but is still a very old machine,
so I will be very concern about the accuracy of the information and what's inside that boiler ( scale wise)

also are any portafilter included?

I cannot tell from the picture but is the pump attached to the motor?

by **Jeff** on Wed Sep 14, 2011 6:30 pm

There is a similar pair that has been languishing on the SF Bay Craigslist for a while (measured in months), and is down to about the same price. I mentioned it in La Pavoni PUB vs. Quickmill Anita back in the beginning of July.

As for someone near you that can service them, I would look at some of the sponsors of the board here. I've had good experiences with many of them, including both Espresso Parts and Stefano's (who politely didn't offer their professional services in their prompt reply to your question).

by **allon** on Wed Sep 14, 2011 7:59 pm

A machine languishing on craigslist isn't necessarily a bad deal.
Shows you might be able to talk them down, too - the CMA Lever I saw vaguely described with no pictures was listed for quite some time - the moment I saw a fuzzy picture, I decided to go for it (it wasn't described as a lever) and I got it for much less than the asking price, though to be honest, the guy was offering to have it serviced as part of the deal, and I elected to rebuild it myself.

I say offer $250 and see if it works. If you are a fixer upper, I'd definitely go for it.


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