I've had my Bernina 180 for 10 years and like the others all my problems were user errror. And yet the year I bought it, all I heard on the Bernina board was complaints, then I noticed it was the same 2 or 3 people. They didn't want to take time to go to the guide classes and learn how to us their new machines. I went from a mechanical White to a fully compterized Bernina. It was a world of difference. I think the key is to buy from a reputable dealer if there is one close to you. And take the classes.