When we were investigating this Braun blender we read reviews that said the company had some problems with the base-to-bowl coupling, but had resolved them in the newest model. So we made sure we were purchasing the newest model.

The blender is attractive, easy to clean (except under the rotor on the base), stands sturdy, and is quieter than the one it replaced in our kitchen.

However, after several months of use, we are going to replace it since the coupling between the base and the bowl keeps disintegrating. Within a month of purchase we had it in the shop to replace the rotor coupling on the base unit, which has to be pressed on the motor shaft by a technician. The plastic rotor coupling had been stripped out completely, leaving us with a useless appliance. Since purchase we have gone through three of the mating pieces on the bottom of the bowl because the teeth in the blade coupling keep breaking off.

The root of the problem, which I admit may not affect every user, is that I often like to make a morning protein shake with a frozen banana in it. We break the banana up into at least thirds, put it into two cups of liquid for a few minutes to let it become a bit soggy on the outside before turning on the blender. We've followed instructions to use the high power pulse mode. The unit is supposed to blend ice, so I figure it should handle a frozen banana (they are not rock hard, you can still break them with your hand) but the plastic couplings in this unit just can't handle the load. We've tried blending the banana without the other ingredients without much success either.
When we were investigating this Braun blender we read reviews that said the company had some problems with the base-to-bowl coupling, but had resolved them in the newest model. So we made sure we were purchasing the newest model. The blender is attractive, easy to clean (except under the rotor on the base), stands sturdy, and is quieter than the one it replaced in our kitchen. However, after several months of use, we are going to replace it since the coupling between the base and the bowl keeps disintegrating. Within a month of purchase we had it in the shop to replace the rotor coupling on the base unit, which has to be pressed on the motor shaft by a technician. The plastic rotor coupling had been stripped out completely, leaving us with a useless appliance. Since purchase we have gone through three of the mating pieces on the bottom of the bowl because the teeth in the blade coupling keep breaking off. The root of the problem, which I admit may not affect every user, is that I often like to make a morning protein shake with a frozen banana in it. We break the banana up into at least thirds, put it into two cups of liquid for a few minutes to let it become a bit soggy on the outside before turning on the blender. We've followed instructions to use the high power pulse mode. The unit is supposed to blend ice, so I figure it should handle a frozen banana (they are not rock hard, you can still break them with your hand) but the plastic couplings in this unit just can't handle the load. We've tried blending the banana without the other ingredients without much success either.