This is the second C3 model I have purchased. The first one has had a five year trial and has been reliable both in terms of performance and the durability of fittings, accessories etc. The reason for the second purchase is to retire a 21 year old FJM Miele to the garage/car garden room task. The 21 year old [1800watt] still performs as well as ever, but is now showing its age in terms of sluggish cord rewind, and general scruffiness, also the FJM bag is a lot smaller than the GN bag in the C3.
We have tried several other makes over several years, Dyson..abysmal and smelly despite regular cleaning and the fittings just disintegrated, a Sebo which was reasonable [ish] but too heavy and cumbersome and falls over on stairs...given to offspring still in as new condition, a Shark...worse than the Dyson..given to council skip [poor skip].
So, back to Miele..one thing though, if you buy one ALWAYS use genuine Miele bags and filters!! I have not found any lookalikes which even come close in performance and some of them will definitely shorten the life of the unit motor with prolonged use.
The downside. Nothing, except for the fact that the 21 year old FJM sucks better than the C3, however, this is because the apparatchiks who decided to introduce legislation to restrict the wattage of all vacuum cleaners also did not work out that you need to vacuum longer to do the same job, hence negating any energy saving.
Thank you for your patience with my ramble..hope it helps.