Well, they top every other mower I have used so far in cut quality. This deck does everything well. Ordinarily I couldn't give you much info on discharging, but with this mower I acutually side discharged a while with it when I first got it. Reason being was it was one of the few that showed me up front it was able to match my standards. Turns out it's the best I have seen in that category by far. But it also does well with the mulch kit. The stripes are excellent too.
Mine is not a wide track. But I wish it was. But not for extra hilling ability. Mine is a goat for a ZTR. I can't complain there and I like the extra trim ability I have. But, the reason I would rather have the wide track is the fact the tires are farther apart.... which makes them easier on turf when turning. During a zero turn, their actual turn circle/arc is larger and with the wider stance they also have added natural leverage for turning. Does this make sense?
Everything is just flat out well done, over done, well thought out, and easy to deal with on this mower. I could talk all day about the small details I've grown to appreciate. I would buy another in a heartbeat.
In my opinion, unless some of the "new for 2006" models from other brands are drastically better, this mower is the best possible choice for me and will stay that way.
They are a better designed, better performing machine, and they cost less money.
You can't beat that.