Best Fitness Center Drive Elliptical BFE2

I bought BFE1 at Amazon in Dec. 2013. For 10 years of frequent usage (30 min initially and 60min now for every weekday), the machine is still like new. Recently, the start button stopped responding and required multiple pushes to start the machine. Called the manufacturer support number and ordered the control panel for BFE2. The customer representative told me that BFE2 is exactly the same machine as BFE1, except the color change. After I replace the malfunctioning control panel by the control panel of BFE2, it works like a brand new machine. Highly recommend the machine. The following is my previous review of BFE1, which is the same as BFE2 except the appearance.

This elliptical is amazing: sturdy and high quality materials, with almost no noise when using it. The self assembly part was a big concern, but it was very easy. Except one component that you need one person to hold it while another person connects the wire plugs, you can assemble it easily by following instructions. The machine was built in such a high quality, all parts can be fitted precisely. There was no way you could misassemble the machine. The control takes a little bit effort to get used to, but it gives you all the necessary controls. I have been using it for a few weeks and love the machine. Amazon delivery was great and they called in advance to set up delivery time (an adult has to be home to accept the delivery). I could watch tv across the room while using the machine without much noise interference.

Fairly easy to set up, took less than 2 hours, closer to 1. I did it by myself.

Worked awesome for 3 months. Then it developed a "thunk" noise when the left foot reached the lowest part of the rotation. See the video. For reference, that's the side where the resistance motor is housed. I did standard lubrication and some YouTube investigation, no luck. The "thunk" got so loud the machine because unusable.

So I called the manufacturer. After 60 days of back-and-forth, they said they'd send a tech to repair it. They requested the serial number, which I sent (see photo). So, somehow, this machine came brand new from Amazon with a serial sticker for a GSR10, rather than a BFE2. It's definitely a BFE2. I don't own any GSR10, don't even know what that it (looks like some kind of ball rack when I Google it). Just weird.

AND now, because the serial number sticker is incorrect, and regardless of the fact that I have a receipt and pictures of the unit, the manufacturer won't provide service. So when the other reviewers say that the manufacturer does not support their product, it's definitely true. This machine is pretty great out of the box, but it won't last and your warranty isn't worth the paper it's printed on...you will not get any meaningful support and you'll own a $1500 pile of trash.

UPDATE: The manufacturer circled back. I just received a replacement. Sometimes service isn't perfect, sometimes people aren't perfect. It took a minute but Body Solid / Best Fitness made it right and I gotta say I'm pretty happy about it. I will update this posting is any new issue arise, but for now I'm changing my rating to 4 stars.

Great machine.

Stepper is very sturdy, tedious to put together but not complicated. After much research on-line chose center drive machine - it is very quiet, console pretty user friendly, really like this machine

Awesome machine!