Inspired by an email I just received from LM, I wondered what peoples thoughts are on the GS3. Although I’ve been no stranger to expensive spontaneous coffee related purchases over the years, the GS3 is thankfully priced well outside of even my limits of reckless buying decisions. However, once I’ve restabilised my financial position having just thrown almost everything I have at a new house, I’d love to think that one day I’ll be in a position to spend 7k on an an espresso machine… However, it’s a machine I know very little about other than that it’s been around for years and it’s made by La Marzocco. Is it actually a good machine? Are there any benefits to it over the Bianca?

@"Ernie1"#p20922 The Standard GS3, not real benefits over the Bianca, build quality is meant to be good, but they still go wrong same as any other machine. The coffee boiler is 1.5l and steam boiler 3.5l, arguably far too large for home use. In fact the 1.5 litre coffee boiler is so large that more sensors are needed to monitor temperature, because of hot spots. If you take the GS3 MP, then there is pressure profiling vi a paddle, similar to the Bianca. Then there is temperature stability and arguably it is more stable than a Bianca, and a tad more stable than a Vesuvius but no more stable than a Vesuvius Evo (possibly less so). It has been around a very long time without significant major updates and I wouldn't spend 7K on one. I think you would do a lot better spending half that money or less….certainly you wouldn't taste the difference. **You would however have a La Marzocco on your bench.**

@"Ernie1"#p20922 You are buying a badge, thats all. People will say, saturated group. blah, blah, blah! It is a coffee machine. If you take care with your preparation then sure it turns out a good cuppa. If you put chuck steak into an oven though, it does not transform into fillet steak!

Useful info thanks both. I think I’d really struggle to find a reason to upgrade the Bianca, with no real benefits it sounds like it would be a foolish way to spend 7 grand!

i think it would make sense in a high volume setting, but in a home an extravagance, but if you have the cash why not lol

7K! My family would dismiss me outright as a ![Giphy - season 3 confusion GIF](https://media2.giphy.com/media/3orifcJqDDTeDOJHDa/giphy.gif?cid=bb77869fhw6cnkuwvuguaithpmq6z0y52l2se28vs200zqlb&rid=giphy.gif&ct=g)

[URL=https://i.imgur.com/qVzLUOC.jpg][IMG]https://i.imgur.com/qVzLUOC.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

@"LMSC"#p20937 Haha I’m sure mine probably would too! The worst part is the one with flow control is closer to £9k once the fancy wooden trim is selected. Although they’ll paint it any colour for that price… @"dfk41"#4 is that yours?!

@"Ernie1"#p20951 We can buy after winning a lotto or the Euro Million. 😂

If I may make the comparison, it's a lot like buying a new Harley. For some it looks like insanity, spending way over the odds for a machine that is manifestly lousy value for what it offers, as noted kind of antiquated tech and lack of suitability for purpose in most people's worlds. But hard to resist the HD comparison, first thing when you look at it just sitting there waiting for you. For a minority of the enthusiast coffee community, like HDs, they represent a personal pinnacle of achievement. It's a heart over head thing. They're high maintenance as I understand it and energy hogs…. Going by the chatter on H-B, Yanks love them 😉. Coffee, like bikes or performance cars, it's a very personal thing

@"Ernie1"#p20951 Was......I bought it at 6 months old from a cafe in Ayr. I was going up to Cameron House on Loch Lomond for my 30th wedding anniversary so made a detour. I felt guilty as I snagged it for £2100 after some hard bargaining! I passed it on to someone who really wanted it for the same price. He then swopped it with another forum member who had the manual paddle version but wanted the auto, and I believe each still owns their respective machine nearly 9 years on!

LM GS3

Ernie1

@CafeNoir

That’s a great comparison, very true.

@dfk41

What a great backstory! I can only hope that my 30th wedding anniversary present to myself is also a bargain La Marzocco!

LMSC

Ernie1 my 30th wedding anniversary

Wow! That’s a huge milestone! Congratulations and best wishes for another 30!

Giphy - Happy Anniversary Love GIF by Hallmark Gold Crown

Ernie1

LMSC

Sorry I meant @dfk41

I have at least another 25 years to wait 😂

dfk41

Ernie1 you will get there! 38 for me this year!

John_Yossarian

Ernie1 time flies 😀 especially with good coffee

I have been married for 31 years and just V for me. Not a big badge as LM😃

tompoland

CafeNoir 100%. There are more factors at play in my purchases other than just the difference in the cup. For example I get delicious and more consistent espresso out of the Decent but love the Streitman’s looks and the tactile experience of the lever.

tompoland

dfk41 3o years married? You deserved at least a GS3 and a medal!

dfk41

tompoland 38 this year…….September 28th, 1984 we were manacled together!

John_Yossarian

I have just realised what a powerful badge LM is, how many threads start with a coffee machine and end up with years of married life 😀

CoyoteOldMan

LM = Le Marriage?

DavecUK

CoyoteOldMan LM = Le Marriage?

LM = Loadsa Money

Otaibimn

DavecUK Pffft… Loads of money is when you have a triple grouphead Hydra in the guest room and a GS3 in the office.

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