jazzy - the colour does come off pretty quickly around the plucking area so it looks a bit messy close up - less so from the audiences point of view. However, DR claim the actual 'playing' coating that affects the sound doesn't come off. Gigging two or three times a month with rehearsals I make them last 6 months before I change them but they'd probably last longer - I time it to coincide with oiling the necks.
Taylor; I've only ever played Elixirs on Mike Pisanek's Europa and they do feel and sound very nice. However, they're more expensive than the DR's and not as pretty ;-)
Graeme