Thank you strife and hornillas! Very helpful input!

Does anyone have any feedback regarding Rimowa's polycarbonate line?

I do not travel that often - only two round-trip long hauls per year and the occasional US domestic where I check-in a bag. I have been traveling with a Samsonite and a Tumi T-tech check in polycarbonate luggages for the past six or seven years. The black Samsonite has handles that are about to break off, and the carapace has those white streaks (just like when plastic is bent - probably from impact during handling). The Tumi T-tech, though a year older, is still unscathed. It is a pity that Tumi discontinued the T-tech brand. They were cheaper but I feel the products were not really any less in terms of quality. And so I figured that I would look into buying a Rimowa that may potentially last me a lifetime. I have never owned an aluminum luggage but would definitely buy one if it is worth it.