Jura Coffee Machines - questions and where I can find the best deal?

Hi all

Does anyone have one of the Jura coffee machines they sell at Fust? Would be good to get your views on the quality of the machines. I'm in the market for one of the more simple ones (I don't necessarily need the milk enabled ones) but want one that is all black, as quiet as possible, and is well rated.

Does anyone know where I can get a deal on these? They're always on sale at Fust (and at times with a free year of coffee beans promo) but I'm wondering if there are any better discounts out there... (I don't need/want their free coffee beans)

Also, is anyone selling theirs?

Cheers in advance

I have a Jura machine, and am 'meh' about it.

Background - I did not choose this machine, rather it was a replacement for a Krups machine that after three breakdowns and three attempts at fixing within the warranty was deemed a lemon. The retailer, Manor, then gave us the Jura, which was in the same price category, as a replacement.

It's a full automatic, grinds beans, etc. I will not use capsule machines.

I only make coffee and espresso, so can't comment on all the other features.

Positives:

The coffee tastes very good. Which is a positive that outweighs pretty much everything else.

Negatives:

It's all plastic. The rather delicate 'hard' plastic, the kind that shatters easily. I have to be very careful handling it for refilling and cleaning. Paying Jura prices for cheap breakable plastic is taking 'Switzerlanded' a bit far.

We had to have this one in for repair within 6 months. The program kept thinking that the bean container needed refilling, even when full, stopping the machine from making coffee.

(Insert rant about computerizing everything. Oh, for my wonderful old Soli Master Pro, a huge robust mechanical machine that lasted for over 15 years. The only reason we had to switch is that Soli no longer makes full automatic machines and can no longer service them.

Give me mechanical over computerized any day. I don't need my coffee machine to greet me by name every morning, I just need it to make a cuppa so I can start my day.)

Positive about Manor: They stand by their guarantee. Each time we brought the machine, Jura or Krups, in for repair we were given a loaner machine to use while the repair was being made.

Were I to choose again, I would look for something made of more robust material. When you are paying in that range you expect more than cheap breakable plastic... but I expect everyone has gone to using poorer quality materials. Sic transit gloria, and all that.

Stiftung Warentest in Germany tested six full-automatic coffee machines and rated all "gut". The test included two Juras:

http://www.testbeste.ch/stiftung-war...-vollautomat-2

This comparison of 18 full-automatic coffee machines gives DeLonghi high marks:

http://www.kaffeevollautomat-im-test.com/

What sort of budget did you have in mind, or were you considering a specific model and want to know if it's a good buy?

We bought our Jura ENA Micro 9 at Fust a little over 4 years ago and still love it. I agree with MC that fresh-ground tastes so much better than capsules.

We got our machine on sale and used some UBS points, and it included the free coffee for a year. We felt it was a good deal considering how much coffee we drink, especially when we have guests. Nothing has ever broken and it gets used a lot. It's small, quiet, easy to use and fits our little kitchen perfectly. FYI for some reason Fust online is currently calling our model the 90 not the 9.

A review of our machine: http://www.theedgecoffee.com/jura-en...center-review/

On our 3rd Jura now. Always bought off Ricardo. 6 months guarantee is a must and not so many coffees made already. The one we have now had done 1500 coffees and has been perfect for a couple of years. Shouldn't pay more than around 1/2 of new price. Last one lasted 7 years with 26,000 coffees when it started leaking. My mate has it now who serviced it and it's still going strong.

toppreis.ch usually have older stock going cheaper than this year's model.

I did that too. Bought 2 for 150 CHF second hand and used them happily.

I would never pay the full price for it. A coffee machine is not worth it and also build quality is not super.

A previous owner included a service bill for one of the Juras for like 350 CHF. Crazy amount of money. You can have a car serviced for that.

I think that's almost what I paid new for my full automat perhaps two years ago. Can't complain about the coffee.

Perhaps people should know that most coffee machines are produced by the same company, Eugster/Frismag in Amriswil (Kanton Thurgau). They produce for Jura, Miele, Nespresso, Turmix, König, De Longhi, etc.

See for instance this article in german.

Add me to the list that only buys these machines used. They're readily available from Germany, freshly-serviced and with a 1-year guarantee, for EUR250-350, depending on the model. Have a look on German eBay for 'Jura kaffeevollautomat':

http://www.ebay.de/sch/i.html?_from=...+jura&_sacat=0

There are shops that specialize in this:

http://www.kaffeetom.de/

That's enough to make me look elsewhere when this Jura breaks down.

We've had to "vollautomatisch" Siemens integrated in kitchens we renovated in Norway. We were pretty happy with them.

Once here, we bought a DeLonghi Magnifica. It's way better. It more noisy since it's not integrated, and I can't fit as much coffee beans as in the Siemens, but the coffee is really good and after 4 years and tons of coffee made we don't notice any sign of wear and tear. We only drink black coffee, but I made capuccinos for guests on a couple of occasions and the system is adequate even without fancy options that other machines offer.

Will keep it until it dies on us.

Just noticed this topic. Not sure if this helps but the Conrad out near the Dietlikon Ikea near Zurich often has coffee machines of all brands and sizes on sale.

Happy drinking.

If you don't need steamer capability go for an old school Italian single boiler machine. I have a dinky QuickMill Carola - below - a love in my life. They are cheaper, look ace and provide way better quality coffee. You have to learn a few simple tricks but if you're dropping four figures on a machine you obviously like coffee; take it up a level for a cheaper outlay. You will need, however, a decent grinder which will immediately do wonders to your cup and far outpace the auto's internal grinder.

Those automated things are a bit meh when it comes to quality IMO and I'm not convinced the cleaning on an auto is nearly as good as it needs to be (heat, moisture, darkness etc).

...or what I recommend to everyone is to try an aeropress and experience superior coffee. Ticks every box other than being fully automatic. May seem freaky and somewhat complicated compared to jabbing a button, but give it a go! They retail for around CHF50 here but again if you're looking to drop thousands then suck it and see with the aeropress. You may never go back.

Also, sort out your coffee supply. We're really spoilt in Switzerland with excellent coffee roasters in almost every town. Freshness is key! I shop at the following high end specialists, which will all mail you freshly roasted packs.

Kaffeepur

Gipfelstürmer

Cafe Noir

Personally, I'd rather just have an affordable aeropress and excellent, albeit pricey coffee beans than an electric, chuntering space-hogger. Feel free to PM if you have questions. MORE COFFEE!