Touring - Do components really make a difference

Right now I am looking at buying a Jamis Aurora, maybe a Novara Randonee. I am leaning toward the Jamis but it seems that it my have components that would be considered lower. The bike will become my primary transportation and hopefully some weekend touring. The Jamis will be over $180 less which gives me money to buy racks, panniers or what ever I may need. So what I would like to know is this. Are the components worth the price difference especially for what I will be using it for? Thank you for any suggestions.

IMO, as long as it's "name brand" stuff (Shimano, SRAM, Ritchey etc) chances are slim that you will wear it out any time soon (other than chain, cassette and chainrings). And if you do, replace it with something better.

I'd go with the bike that fits better.

I have put over 10000 miles on my Jamis Aurora that I bought in 2002 including a trip from Vancouver to San Diego and I have never had a problem with anything aside from basic maintenance. I am still using most original parts. I think I have replaced the saddle and the tires and that is it. Recently my eyelets broke off but it was still attached to the rack and I plan on welding it back on.\
luke

My take on components is that when you go from cheapest to most expensive, you start out with the quality getting better and better - smoother action, more durable, etc. But once you get past a mid-point somewhere, the higher price stuff isn't that much better, it's just lighter (I mean, it's better, but not that much.)

As a tourer, lightness of components isn't that crucial, but durability and smoothness is. I like it when I can complete tour after tour without my components failing, and I like when they're smooth, since on a long tour a simple action like using a brake or shifting gears is repeated so many times.

Anyone want to chime in? Am I about right, or am I full of hooey?