Steve, I've had my stainless steel flavorizer bars for about 6 1/2 years and they are still in good shape.
I also have the stainless steel grates (not the rods, though, as they weren't available at the time) and I've been very pleased with those too. If I ever have to change out the grates, I'll go with the stainless steel rods or the pci grates.
Rita