Over the plain PB 820, you get a colored lid, four lbs. more hopper capacity, a bottle opener, a solid bottom shelf, and a stainless side tray. All this for $100 more than a regular PB 820. IMO, not worth it. Not sure where you live, but if there is a Menards nearby, they usually have the plain one on sale for $400.
As for performance, they are simple machines, but they are fairly reliable, and cook well. I've had my 820 for a little over three years, with no rust on the outside(though the grease tray and flame deflector have, mainly because I don't cook on it enough).