If you don't mind buying a second-hand reconditioned machine, you can get a great deal on a refurbished Jura machine on eBay Germany. Here's an example of the middle-of-the-range machine with a 12 month warranty for EUR329:
http://cgi.ebay.de/Jura-Impressa-Ult...item5190bdd347
There are quite a few sellers on there who refurbish machines, and they generally range between EUR175-400 depending on the model.
The Jura machines are all super-automatics of one sort or another (meaning that you put beans in the container, then press a button and the beans are ground, tamped, brewed, and disposed of. All you need to do is empty the machine every week or two). All make good espresso, and all have a steam nozzle for frothing milk.
More money buys newer models and more features. The two worth caring about are
dual heating elements, which maintain water at appropriate temperatures for coffee and steam at the same time (otherwise you need to wait between brewing coffee and frothing milk -- the water needs to heat up to froth milk, and the extra-hot water needs to be bled off after frothing before making more coffee in a single-element machine) and
a frothing attachmentif you don't want to steam your own milk. Other features on higher-end machines include digital displays, cup warmers, timers, etc.
Most of the big superautomatics are rebranded Jura machines (eg, those marketed under the Krups / AEG brands), with Saeco machines being the notable exception.
Many people don't like used goods, but I'd much rather have a refurbished CHF1500- coffee maker for EUR300 than a new EUR300 coffee maker. The results are far better, the machine will last longer (I'm on my second -- the first one lasted more than 10 years, and this one is still working as new after 6 years), and most importantly, you aren't locked into a proprietary capsule system.
I discovered superautomatic machines when I first arrived in Switzerland (they were unheard of outside CH/D at that time) and I've never looked back. Buy one. You won't regret it.
Linear Mode
