Thanks ladies that is really helpful. I think -like it has been mentioned- i really need to go and look at more in-store. Open doors, pull out wire racks and take my trays in (although i'd be a bit ashamed of them, they aren't as clean as they used to be )

I am one who prefers to pay more and get a better quality product. (Not sure this is always how it works though).

We currently have a westinghouse Ultimate One. I have no idea how old it is but it's brown so i'm guessing pretty old. The oven and microwave are wall mounted all with in the same unit, one on top of the other. I think it would have been pretty good in it's time. Both work fantasticly still but won't go with the new kitchen.

Nic -I did try looking on the choice website but couldn't get much information out of it. I think i had to be a paid member to get any realy info. But i did look on Product review and was able to read about heaps of different brands and models and pros on cons on each. It was here that i got a bit overwhelmed.

From what i read on product review there were a few ovens of well known brands that had trouble with hinges and seals, cooking evenly... The only brand i found on this website with pretty much faultless reviews was Miele but we'd be paying more for the oven alone before we even begin to look at gas tops

Feeb i'll be looking for a good size gas top also, currently we have a Miele Combiset (which is two burners and a bbq grill, already here when be bought). We don't use the grill at all because it is too messy and just smokes out the house. Cooking with only 2 burners so close together is really difficult . Really looking forward to having some space on the gas top.

So with the freestanding ovens or mounted low does the 'triple safety glass' (or whatever it is called) work? Does it not heat up? I have young children so it will be a concern?

Must get the little one into bed, i will be back if i think of any more questions. Thanks so much for the replies.