Components last forever. I have 6600 from 2005 on my main road bike. It has been swapped between three frames in that time. I've replaced the cables four times, gone through several cassettes and many chains, everything else is essentially brand new. The polished finish is essentially perfect. I can afford to go to 6800 or 9000 but I just don't see the need. I rode today and my bike is running like a sewing machine, why mess with it? I've been riding since Ultegra was called 600 and I've never had a component wear out.