La Pavoni europicola 8

[sontondaman]

Hello everyone,
I'm about to acquire a lever La Pavoni europicola 8 locally for $200. The machine is said to be in excellent condition. Is this a good deal and what should I look for when I actually go and check out the machine?
Thank.

[mp]

IMHO ... its a great deal.  Check for leaks.  See if you can pull a shot before you buy.

My 2 cents.

 

[Tex]

Check to see if anything's missing - LP parts are the most expensive I've ever seen. LP Europiccola's come in many variations; some desirable, some less so. There's just too much to advise on; one switch or two, blown piston or gaskets, rust, Millennium edition or not, etc.

[sontondaman]

Check to see if anything's missing - LP parts are the most expensive I've ever seen. LP Europiccola's come in many variations; some desirable, some less so. There's just too much to advise on; one switch or two, blown piston or gaskets, rust, Millennium edition or not, etc.

I think it is the newest version of this. Will be taking a look at the machine tomorrow 

[Tex]

Check to see if anything's missing - LP parts are the most expensive I've ever seen. LP Europiccola's come in many variations; some desirable, some less so. There's just too much to advise on; one switch or two, blown piston or gaskets, rust, Millennium edition or not, etc.

I think it is the newest version of this. Will be taking a look at the machine tomorrow 

It'd help if you posted pics from many angles.

[jscvcc]

Tex,
It seems you have strong opinions on the La Pavoni.  I have been looking at so many machines and like the idea of a manual machine.  I have almost decided to get the La Pavoni PC 16.  I looked at several youtube vids and acutally have not been impressed with the unstable character when locking the porta filter.  Also the size of the portafilter looks really insubstantial.  Have any thoughts?

Check to see if anything's missing - LP parts are the most expensive I've ever seen. LP Europiccola's come in many variations; some desirable, some less so. There's just too much to advise on; one switch or two, blown piston or gaskets, rust, Millennium edition or not, etc.

I think it is the newest version of this. Will be taking a look at the machine tomorrow 

It'd help if you posted pics from many angles.

[Tex]

Tex,
It seems you have strong opinions on the La Pavoni.  I have been looking at so many machines and like the idea of a manual machine.  I have almost decided to get the La Pavoni PC 16.  I looked at several youtube vids and acutally have not been impressed with the unstable character when locking the porta filter.  Also the size of the portafilter looks really insubstantial.  Have any thoughts?

Thoughts? Millions! Any worthwhile? I doubt it!

Check out this page & links: http://home.earthlink.net/~r_harmon/La%20Pavoni, it details how I used my peacock. If done right the LP is a great machine -but  let just one parameter slip and you've got a mess.

I've used a LP lever machine since '68 or '69, and have owned more than a few. Right now I have a 16 cup Pro and my original Europiccola. The only reason I'm not using them is I'm lazy and because I discovered how good the Gaggias are when they're modded.

The portafilter is somewhat limited - the double basket makes a good single shot of espresso and the small filter basket is a bad joke. Replacement parts are very expensive compared to other makes.

[jscvcc]

Thanks Tex.  Very helpful indeed.