The most valued Top Tier benefit is the eUpgrade and for 2013, there will be 3 tier above E35 plus for international destination a much higher T+ fare requirement. As for the rest of the E35 benefits can be had with either AMEX Plat and/or MLL card. To spend $900+ for the sole purpose of MR to get to E35, I personally would not do it. The situation is entirely different if you are within striking distance of E75 or SE100.

Of course with E35, you still get priority boarding with AC flights, and for some, $900 may be well worth it just so they can stroke their ego/attitude looking down at the rest of the non-status passengers at the priority boarding line.