Bean to cup coffee machines

[matt-ITR]

I know these are the subject of a certain amount of conjecture as to whether or not they are any good...

I currently use an aeropress and dualit grinder with a constant supply of fresh beans, but looking to get a machine capable of producing short and long espressos.

Budget is £400 max (nearer £300 is better) and the machine I have spotted is the Gaggia Brera.
Not sure if it is a worthwhile purchase though, or if I would be better getting a new (and hopefully cleaner, less messy one) and a manual machine?

Pod machine is a definite no.

[V8mate]

I had a domestic b2c Gaggia and it was... ok. Definitely trading on their name; the build quality was lacking and it died after 3 years.

Replaced with a DeLonghi which is, comparing no more than the two machines I've owned, a far better product, and much more finely tunable.

[ajcj]

Get a refurbed Jura. Excellent bit of kit. I've got one which was £2k new, but cost me £450 after it had spent a few years in an Audi dealership or some such.

[skilly1]

ajcj said:

Get a refurbed Jura. Excellent bit of kit. I've got one which was £2k new, but cost me £450 after it had spent a few years in an Audi dealership or some such.

Exactly what i did - Jura XS90

[speedysoprano]

We bought a DeLonghi Magnifica a couple weeks back, just under £200. It's absolutely brilliant so far. Easy to work, easy to clean, and makes great coffee.

[IS200RJR]

Iv Just Bought this one http://www.johnlewis.com/saeco-hd8750-18-intuita-b...

It Arrives friday ill let you know how it is, I looked at the spec and it seems it should do the job.

anyone got any experiences?