I don't know what you are basing this on Gold, BBS is one of very few manufacturers that manufactures cold forged wheels. They are on average, lighter and stronger than almost any wheel out there. Their experience and reputation in racing is probably second to none. Many OEMs use them on their highest performance cars. I know from experience, their quality is top notch. The factory 02+ wheel is a forged BBS wheel. All their wheels are x-rayed and free from defects that plague many other brands.
They may have had a lot of competitors, but few were even close to being as good. The reason they probably went out of business is because they didn't care too much about what is hip and in style this month. They continued to produce their classic wheels whose design was based on science, not style. No, you couldn't order a BBS wheel with a fat lip and in chrome. That hurt them.
This is a very sad thing if they are truly gone. I would recommend their wheels 100% to anyone. They are, pure performance.
We know that we have all different preferences. Mine are:
1. Safety
2. Design
3. Weight
4. Price
What's not so important to me:
The technic used to produce them as long as the wheel is safe and light.
Reputation in racing. It's not bad to have a good reputation in racing but I don't buy brands just because of their marketing.
That's what my decision on a wheel influences.
I agree with you on the safety of BBS wheels. You can be sure that this wheel doesn't break. But many others don't either. Quality is top-notch here as you've mentioned.
I also agree with you concerning design. IMO it looks like their design is a little bit dated back in the 80/90's, ok that personal preference. You've already mentioned the no-fat-lip-problem.
For weight we can have a look at
http://gti-vr6.net/library/wheels_tires_brakes/wheels_weight/wheels2_17.html where the BBS are good to average.
If I hold the price-variable constant which means that I compare different wheels of the same price-range there are better looking (to me), lighter and equivalent in safety wheels on the market. From the perspective that I'm receiving CE28N wheels in a month or two I call the BBS average.
I wouldn't say not to buy their wheels. It's only that for the price you pay you could do better in at least two variables mentioned above, again depending on your preferences.
IMO Volk Racing wheels are a little bit closer to pure performance.