New Hard  Plastic 10.5inch Matt Finish  take up reel for 1/4" tape made in France by Recording the Masters!

no  reel to reel tape on this just the plastic reel

Are there any sonic, reliability, storage or other practical reasons to go with metal reels vs plastic reels? I know there is the "cool" factor - the visual aesthetics - and I am certainly not immune to that. I've search here and other sites without finding any compelling practical reasons. 

Plastic Reels:

Pros: Significantly lower cost, low maintenence, not easily marred or blemished. Much harder to  deform. Much lighter in weight so they require less torque to move thus [theoretically] extend the longevity of your decks motors.

Cons: Almost always solid piece. Cannot be disassembled which is useful for loading pancakes. 

Metal Reels:

Pros: Much more rugged and durable. Can be taken apart to clean and load pancakes.

Cons: Significantly more expensive than plastic reels. Once bent or deformed, straightening them is virtually impossible. Much higher maintenance and easy to stain, tarnish, and blemish. Tape pack only viewable through windage cutouts. Heavier. Thus requiring more effort on the part of your deck to drive