Several friends turned in their Bernina & Pfaffs for Janome w thread cutter and they're great machines. I love my Pfaff 7550-good workhorse, am considering the Quilt Expression 4.0. I'd trial a Janome & 4.0 to check out features, how each machine runs to determine YOUR preference. Good luck. As Stated above, no warranty or local dealer back-up on-line-so caution-how have these machines been maintained?