Build quality/durability between Grimac Mia and S1

[Wescott]

Moscow choices are now narrowed down to either the Grimac Mia or the La Spaziale Vivaldi S1. I've still got to visit the vendors and get exact prices and see what post-sales service the vendor can offer, but the Grimac will be around $1,200 US and the S1 possibly as low as $1,710 US.

(Other choices I mentioned in the "Dithering in Moscow..." thread have been stricken from the list, for example, because the Domobar Super is the earlier version and the Giotto and Bricoletta are not plumbed in easily.)

This time I would like to know how the Mia and the S1 compare in build quality, parts quality, and overall likelihood of repair. Chris Tacy's review of the Grimac is reassuring about its capabilities but did not address what's on the inside. Neither do any other sources that I can find.

The S1 has worrisome tendencies to arrive with burrs in the boiler and mysteriously leaky expansion valves. There was a heating element replacement on a relatively new machine. Of course, the S1 forum exposes all those problems to my view while the ownership base for the Grimac is either so small or so reticent that I have no feel for what problems might crop up with it.

Can anyone offer any insight into the relative durability of these two machines?

[HB]

Of course, the S1 forum exposes all those problems to my view while the ownership base for the Grimac is either so small or so reticent that I have no feel for what problems might crop up with it.

If you are looking for more information, Grimac also makes La Valentina ("Junior"), which has a slightly larger owner base. I don't have actual data to base a prediction of repair likelihood on, but both espresso machines choose premium components and are well constructed. The S1 is built to commercial standards (heavy frame, wrapped wiring harness, easy access) and the La Valentina / Grimac isn't far behind.

[Wescott]

Thanks for that additional information, Dan. I had been under the impression that Grimac supplied the parts used in La Valentina, in particular the E61-style head . It's good to know that they manufactured the whole works. That is, I think, pretty reassuring and gives me more confidence in the Mia if I decide to take that path.

If I overlook (hard to do) the price difference, I see the contest as one between the forgiveness and resistance to channeling of the E61 in the Mia against the determinate brew temperatures for my home roasts of the S1.

[HB]

I had been under the impression that Grimac supplied the parts used in La Valentina, in particular the E61-style head . It's good to know that they manufactured the whole works.

Sorry, you're right, I should have said BFC manufactures La Valentina ("Junior") / Levetta ("Junior Plus") and Grimac Royal Falcon is the US distributor. Based on Chris' description of the interior and the similarities in design, I inferred that they share common components. EPNW sells the Mia -- if it helps your decision-making, I bet Dave could be persuaded to post some interior photos.

[OlywaDave]

When I get in I'll look around to see what I can come up with for interior shots. If it makes it any easier I suspect (wink wink) that an easy solution for PID and the E61 is just around the corner too. Maybe TerryZ will chime in as well to explain.

Dave

[Wescott]

Thanks for helping however you may, OlywaDave. I didn't want to push the point because I can't be your customer. Too far away, I'm afraid.

The hint about the PID for E61 is more than intriguing. There are a lot of people who would like direct control of the brew temperature on their E61s without having to learn a new trade to install a PID setup.

Such an accessory--or will it be a kit?--would make it a lot easier to go with an E 61. If temperature management is too irritating via flush regimes, then you could take the next step and buy what it seems you are about to offer. The only potential drawback from where I'm writing is that it would have to be compatible with 220v.