Food processor dilemma! Do I really need one?

[ladygrinningTooSoonForXmasName]

The bowl, lid and mini bowl on my 10 year old Magimix 5100 all need replacing, which is going to cost the thick end of £100. The bit of bowl that engages the lock has snapped off so the processor can't be used at all.

Now, I'm wondering whether this is worth while? Or should I get a new one, or just do without.

The reason I'm thinking of getting a new one is that the processor is mainly used for grating, chopping and slicing. I NEVER use it for cakes, bread, soups, mayonnaise etc (I also have a hand mixer and hand held blender for those things). Once or twice a year, I use it to mince ingredients for a pate or stuffing.

The trouble with the grating etc is I have to cut the food up into pieces to get it down the small feed tube, so often I don't bother and do the job by hand. I see the new Magimix XL models have an extra wide feed tube which I thought might make it worth while to use a processor more often for smaller jobs.

Any thoughts? Are there any cheaper food processors with a wide feed? Anyone who has an XL model, are they good? Is the bowl less prone to breaking than the older model?

Bump?

I wouldn't live without my little magimix (but we do have problems with the catch on the lid - it has got stuck a couple of times). £100 to fix it though? Ours cost that much new from House of Fraser!!!

I wouldn't bother with any cheaper models TBH - false economy as they always break and are no where near as good.