You couldn't pay me to own a side-by-side.
They're less efficient than an equivalent regular design, and the doors are too narrow for comfort.
Also, who needs an icemaker, or those goofy front panel dispensers? More stuff to fail. I know how to make ice, and it's easy. I've got three ice cube trays in the freezer, and they take up less space that the icemaker and bin. 'Course, it's pretty hard to buy one without an icemaker, but still, just don't connect it. And if I want a glass of water, there's a sink in the same room and I know how to use a faucet.
I would suggest that you get one with a bottom freezer. Much more convenient to use the fridge portion.
Reliability... Without stats, it's all anecdotal. Our GE-made Hotpoint lasted over 15 years. Got a Whirlpool to replace it, only because it matches the new Whirlpool stove. It's kinda noisy, though.
Edits: 08/12/12
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