Used Olympia Cremina?

#1: Post by **RonnyG** » February 8th, 2016, 8:26 am

I was wondering if anyone could steer me in the right direction regarding a used Cremina. After reading a lot of the reviews the Cremina seems to be an awesome home machine once you figure out how to use it. I have been thinking about buying a used one as I can't justify forking out $3,600 for a new one. From what I can tell these machines are built very well and really have not changed a whole lot over the years. I have seen used ones posted and sold on Ebay for $400-$600. Is there anything I should be concerned with buying a used Cremina? Is there a time period I should avoid or years that people recommend I look at getting? What sort of maintenance should I count on doing buying used? Pretty much any advice you all have regarding the purchase of a used machine would be awesome!!!

Thanks

#2: Post by **drgary** » February 8th, 2016, 8:56 am

The best information about rebuilding and servicing vintage Creminas is on the Orphan Espresso site, under Tech Help Pages. If you watch those videos and read their other postings on Cremina repairs you'll know how to evaluate a used one. Also it is likely to cost you more than you quoted to buy a used one in good condition. See the Sold listings on eBay for what to expect.

February 8th, 2016, 12:17 pm

Thanks Gary, I will get to reading the website you provided. It looks like it is more reasonable to assume paying 800 for a cremina in good shape. Still seems like a good way to go.

February 8th, 2016, 12:35 pm

$800 for a Cremina. Good one. more like $1800 to $2200

February 8th, 2016, 12:48 pm

Yeah I guess I am assuming on taking on some of the refurb work to hopefully help cut cost.

#6: Post by **rittem1** » February 8th, 2016, 12:49 pm

cannonfodder wrote: $800 for a Cremina. Good one. more like $1800 to $2200

Not sure where you were looking but on eBay there have been many sold between $750-1000 over the last couple months in good (subjective) condition. $1800-$2200 for a used late model?

February 8th, 2016, 12:54 pm

Are the late models better for some reason demanding the higher price or are they just sought after given their vintageness (if that is a word

)

#8: Post by **forbeskm** » February 8th, 2016, 1:15 pm

There was one just listed for 400 on ebay. Two didn't sell you might be able to contact the sellers, 950 and 1000 for those starting bids. One just sold for 795. Orphan Espresso can walk you through a rebuild, its very straight forward and does not require any special tools other than a wrench set and some allen keys.

Search ebay on completed listings. Been quite a few as of late that didn't sell

I like my 83 but I don't think it matters much which year. I am not sure which year it went to a bigger boiler, mid 90's?

#9: Post by **cpreston** » February 8th, 2016, 1:32 pm

RonnyG wrote:Are the late models better for some reason demanding the higher price or are they just sought after given their vintageness (if that is a word )

They have pressure gauges which I like to use in conjunction with a group head thermometer to get very repeatable shot temps. There are threads on this from a few years back. They also have vacuum breakers but those are in the cap and presumably retrofittable. (Not sure how long those have been included.) But you do pay a lot more.

I'm another very happy cremina user.

February 8th, 2016, 1:43 pm

forbeskm, thanks a lot I did not think to look on the completed list on eBay. I saw that 400 one pop up, I have my eye on it but its 6days out still. It looks like it will need some work due to the leaks but I feel I am up for the task if the price is right. thanks again!