John,
I put a stainless system on my 230SL when I bought it in Germany in the late 1990s (I don't know what brand it was). Still looks brand new .... I know that it's not cheap to make the switch, but I think it's a classic "one and done" expense. Some don't like the more "aggressive" tone of the stainless systems, but I love it -- bold enough to be fun with the top down, but not annoying on a longer drive with the top up.
Lowell