Olympia Madness - Is it really worth it?

[danno]

Okay, so this Olympia deal is making me a bit wacky. I have a La Pavoni Europiccola which has served me quite well (when I am nice to it) for over ten years. It is still in excellent shape. I discovered the Olympia Express by accident on CoffeeGeek.com and now I want one. It sounds as though it possesses all of the Europiccola's best points and none of its bad points. True?

Why am I thinking about a new machine? I am currently working in Switzerland and have no espresso machine here. I have a good friend who lives in Mendrisio, home of Mokaespresso SA, distributors of all things Olympia. I keep thinking that if he knows someone who works there (it is a fairly small town and my friend has lived in the area since birth), maybe I could get one for a few hundred francs less.

Would it still be worth more than US $1500 to get one? And then I would have to get a grinder, too. And if I return to the U.S., I would have to get a 220v line installed to use the theoretical Olympia.

What would I do with two lever machines then? Take over the world..?
d

[espressoperson]

Okay, so this Olympia deal is making me a bit wacky. I have a La Pavoni Europiccola which has served me quite well (when I am nice to it) for over ten years. It is still in excellent shape. I discovered the Olympia Express by accident on CoffeeGeek.com and now I want one. It sounds as though it possesses all of the Europiccola's best points and none of its bad points. True?

Why am I thinking about a new machine? I am currently working in Switzerland and have no espresso machine here. I have a good friend who lives in Mendrisio, home of Mokaespresso SA, distributors of all things Olympia. I keep thinking that if he knows someone who works there (it is a fairly small town and my friend has lived in the area since birth), maybe I could get one for a few hundred francs less.

Would it still be worth more than US $1500 to get one? And then I would have to get a grinder, too. And if I return to the U.S., I would have to get a 220v line installed to use the theoretical Olympia.

What would I do with two lever machines then? Take over the world..?
d

Maybe you could arrange for a visit to the factory. Perhaps they have a shelf full of "seconds" you could get a deal on. And a pictorial trip report, if possible, would be a real treat for all of us.



MichaelB
LMWDP #24

Olympia Cremina
Mazzer Mini
100% Thor Fittings (No plastic!)
----

[srobinson]

I was in Zurich last weekend and I tried to contact the factory so see if I could make a trainride down. Unfortunately they are not to quick on their email, so we could not get it arranged.

If you do get a 220V, you should be able to convert it by simply changing the lights, thermostat and pressurestat. Now what to do with two lever machines? Join the rest of the crazies on this forum. I think Lino has bought three machines in the past month.

Now with regards to factory seconds....I would not hold your breath.

[oliof]

Hello,

I seem to have been very lucky three years ago when I found a Cremina standing around on a street corner with a note on it saying "fully functional - have fun!" obviously. I had not been into coffee before that day, and was almost instantly converted.

So, in my book, the Cremina is worth the money. That it came to me like a heaven-sent present only adds to my enjoyment of the machines and the drinks it brings me.

Now, having found the olympia website and seeing they offer a lot of support for the machine, I will give it its well-deserved once-over.

Regards,
oliof

[srobinson]

Are you saying that you got one for free? Tell me what lotto number to play since you are definitely one lucky guy!

[espressoperson]

Hello,

I seem to have been very lucky three years ago when I found a Cremina standing around on a street corner with a note on it saying "fully functional - have fun!" obviously. I had not been into coffee before that day, and was almost instantly converted.

So, in my book, the Cremina is worth the money. That it came to me like a heaven-sent present only adds to my enjoyment of the machines and the drinks it brings me.

Now, having found the olympia website and seeing they offer a lot of support for the machine, I will give it its well-deserved once-over.

Regards,
oliof

"The Secret Life of Olympia Creminas"

Mine appeared on this forum 3 weeks before I got here. Obviously she wanted to show off her new Thor fittings and made it happen.

Yours appeared on the street. Perhaps she was running away from an abusive household - one that was forcing her to make espresso with $tarbux coffee. A warning to you; treat her well or she may move on again...



MichaelB
LMWDP #24

Olympia Cremina 67
Mazzer Mini
100% Thor Fittings (No plastic!)
----

[oliof]

Are you saying that you got one for free? Tell me what lotto number to play since you are definitely one lucky guy!

Yes, indeed I got one for free. At a time where they weren't easily available in germany, as I learnt afterwards. I was looking for more information about the Cremina when I stumbled in here... By some people, the Cremina was derided as 'just a rebranded La Pavoni', but I never thought that was true.

The portafilter holder replacement I bought was for a la pavoni and only needed about an hour of filing before it fit. I am considering ordering a new one from the source.

And no, unfortunately I can't help you out with the lotto numbers.

Regards,
oliof