Welcome! When I read you lived near Hong Kong I had to say Hi! My daughter lived in Hong Kong for 18 months in the early 1990. We visited her and found an amazing city. Everyone should go there at least once. As for machines I have an older Bernina. I have had it for around 45 years and the only thing that has happened is last summer my bobbin winder stopped working. The reapirman suggested I buy one of the new little bobbin winders. It does the job but not as good as the machine. Also the Bernina is easy to oil and maintain etc.