BT - Help me spend $3,000

The general consensus I get is that it's better so save a little money on the bike and spend the extras on race wheels and other stuff that will help you get more aero/save weight and be less taxing on the legs.  I have a magzine somewhere in the house that shows the time benefits of each.  I will try to dig it out and get back to you.  Ultimately tho, with IM distance, your priority oughtta be comfort and ensuring you leave enough in your legs for the run.  Having said that, I have only done one sprint duistance tri (but I am a real bookworm for anything tri-related!).  I'm sure there are people on here that are more experienced and will be able to give you a more experience based view. 

Best of luck with the decision!!

You can just rent race wheels for 150 bucks too...and get the best and newest wheels on the market every time.  If you already have the bike you want, all the gear and can afford the race wheels too, then it makes sense.

If you're not racing all the time, it'll take you a couple years to race enough to make it worth buying a new set.  At which point, you'll probably just wish you had newer wheels anyway.

For the record, I do have a set of Bontrager Aeolus 5.0, but consider them my nice training/sometimes race wheels, but would just rent for a big HIM or IM most likely.  If you only use them a few times a year, I don't think it's worth it.  I just have a hard time spending that much money on "race" specific wheels when you break down the usage and the amount you pay.

I'd re-deploy that money on to the bike or get a powertap instead with it.

I think I would check out the Dulce from Quintana Roo.  All3sports has them reduced down to $2300: http://www.all3sports.com/product_info.php?pName=quintana-roo-dulce-complete-bike-2009&osCsid=4b1620d27c6d8d6fac19571f299913f9

I would then spend $600 for a set of 50mm carbon wheels from Neuvation: http://www.neuvationcycling.com/wheels.html

Easy Peasy!

Cervelo P1/entry level QRoo/Felt S32 and power meter+software. A good power based training plan properly executed will cut minutes, while fancy wheels shave seconds.