Food processors - are Magimix worth the money?

[MrsMuddle]

I need a new food processor, and I've always thought that I couldn't justify the price of a magimix, but actually, over the years, I could have bought two with the amount that I've spent on cheaper, inferior ones.

I have a signifcant birthday coming up soon, and DH is wondering what to buy me. I don't need anything personal, but I'd love a magimix. [dull emoticon]

The one that I'd like is the 4200, and it has a small bowl, midi bowl and regular bowl - all of which I'd find useful. It also has a dough hook. I do a lot of cooking and baking, so I'd use it loads.

But, wise MNers, is it worth £160? Is it four times better than a £40 one, or am I just being seduced because it looks so damn good?

Tell me your magimix experiences please.

Never thought I'd use a magimix until I was in John Lewis one day a couple of years ago and there was a demonstrator. I was suckered in and do you know what? I bloody love the thing. It cost about £200 (it's the one with the juicer attachments), but I use it all the time, especially for baking. (And especially since I like Nigella recipes and she always gives the processor method if she knows one.)

Great for "sifting" icing sugar, making buttercream icing, sponge, batter. The list goes on.

Also use the small bowl for chopping up onions and things really small. Erm... what else. Juicer has had really good use, especially when we get cheap fruit at the market or a glut of carrots in the garden.

The only thing that hasn't had much use is the grating plate type attachments. Some numpty in my house must have dropped the main bowl, because the outside of the handle cracked, but a bit of strong clue has fixed it and I reckon it will go on for YEARS.

I love my Magimix (4200), same as TYG, perfect for Nigella bung it in processor recipes and loads more.

Sturdy and used a lot and still in vgc after 6 years

I don't use mine a great deal at the moment (DS2 being only 3 months old, don't have time for anything atm!), but mine is still going strong after 15 years and even if it blew up tomorrow, I'd replace it with the latest model. I love it.

I had one which was going strong after 25 years of use! Now I'm using one passed on by a v loevly MN-er which is probably of similiar age.

If you buy one that lasts 25 years, that is £6-40 per year. or 53p a month.

Classic kit.

i have my grandmother's. i love it. god knows how old it is, at least 20 years. i use it almost daily, as did she. have had to buy a replacement bowl, but otherwise it's as good as new. admittedly the newer ones look better, but mine has retro cool .

Thanks for all your comments. That's my birthday sorted, then! Is it a sign of old age, that I'm more excited about getting a food processor than perfume or jewels?

I got a breadmaker for my recent 'significant b'day'

I have found that the bowls on the Magimix crack very easily and replacements are expensive. My magimix is very rarely used but the main bowl has cracks at the handle and the lid and my mum's is in daily use and she has had exactly the same problem and is on her third set of bowls.

I lurve mine for chopping things and grating cheese too - I hate the feeling of holding the sweaty cheese whilst grating it.

Is great for slicing onions too to save th eyes and for potatoes for dauphinois!