I have checked out the 930 on ebay several times just out of interest. They sell for more than I paid for mine 35 years ago. That's holding its value.

I have my mom's Bernina 830 and it's a fabulous machine! The 830's and the 930's go for good money even today so if you have a chance to get one I say hurry!

It does have nylon gears..

I still have my Bernina 930 Record, and it is my back up. Will never get rid of it.

Oh darn it! Not going to go look Candace (it's in the shed), but that rings a bell now, and I'm slightly worried. Have you heard of these gears breaking?

I am so lucky to have my Mother's 830 Record that she bought new and put a million miles on! My hubby bought me a Bernina 630E Artista a few years ago for our anniversary. I will always have the older machine to use when I have a project on the 630! It is still a great machine.

They do need replacing, sometimes http://www.quiltingboard.com/vintage...d-t246653.html

Out of the 10 vintage Berninas I have, two came to me with broken gears. There are 4 nylon gears in the machines, but typically the cam stack gear is the one that goes. But, replacing one of these every 30-40 years or more isn't something that worries me. I wouldn't keep it in a non-climate controlled area, however.

[QUOTE=J Miller;6723330]SeworDye,

I cannot speak for all the vintage Berninas but my wife has a Bernina Record 930 she got in 2000 when my cousin died. My cousin had it since it was new back in the mid 80s.

It has been a very excellent machine. Absolutely ZERO problems with it. It had not been cleaned or oiled since my wife got it and who knows how long before that until about 2 years ago.

I took enough packed lint out of the bobbin area to make a cat sweater. I oiled it and cleaned it and it just purrs away.

There are owners here that have Berninas from the 600s up and to date I have not ( or at least I don't remember ) heard any complaints about them.

Joe[/QUOTE

I have a Bernina Record 930 that I purchased new in 1985. I love it and sew on it most of the time, however I do take my FW's to quilt group once month most of the time, because of it's weight and the ease. I keep my 930 cleaned and oiled and have never had this jewel in the shop. I wouldn't trade my 930 for all the tea in China, and I'm truly a tea alcoholic, just wouldn't trade it for anything. I don't think the 930 can be beat.

I have 2, a 930 and 1031. Both are wonderful machines, also the 830 and 730 are good too.

I think a lot of people would say that about any brand machine - they all have high priced ones now. I think the main difference is Mechanical vs Computerized. Just like anything else when you start adding features and computerization to it the cost goes up and there are more issues, mainly because there is more stuff to go wrong. I think that people who have classic cars would tell you the same thing about the new models.