I had the pre-millennium model for many years, and what I disliked most about it was the lack of thermostat. It was maddening trying to get to a consistent temperature, and trying to get back-to-back shots that were remotely close was pretty much impossible. Then if I had it on full power to steam, it would become way too hot to pull any more espressos until it had a lengthy cool off.

Other than temperature issues, I quite liked it, and it is certainly capable of excellent espresso. Probably the millennium model would be the better choice. Personally, if I ever went back to a lever machine I would skip the Pavoni/Gaggia and get a Ponte Vecchio or Elektra.

-Brad

When making espresso, between shots I turn off the machine, cock the lever, and then cool the grouphead using a couple of ice cubes and a wet rag. Then I turn on the machine until the surface of the grouphead reaches the desired temperature before the next shot. I find I can pull about 1 shot every 5 to 10 minutes.

Fww,YMMV I put a gauge on my old no-pressurestat 49mm group pre-millenium and heat to the pull temp and then switch to low heat. Then I do the milk steaming at high heat. Probably be able to do that with a pressurestat machine with a gauge. The old ones used the mist from the safety valve to tell when to pull! A little vapor was the pull and a squealing lot was for steaming. The gauge only proved that!
There are as many theories as operators and most get a fairly good shot consistently.
As above poster stated I would go for a better machine with a covered boiler.
Good luck on choosing your machine!
richard /espressme