Yeah, I know they are all that and more in Early, but in Late their gratest accomplishments consist of initiating chain routs. 0 Morale + Disciplined status == them running like chickens followed by the rest of my troops. I've seen these guys run away from Armored Spearmen(!!!).
These days, instead of building BI for fodder (in Late), I use Handgunners. Cheap, available, and durable, they won't turn tail at the first sign of danger.