Wierd... it is always possible that you are using tools to model with that Vercingetorix didn't allow for in the exporter.

I only really use Max for teh riging and final export, but do all the modelling and skinning in Lightwave. The conversion process through 3Ds squashes anything, and I have not had any problems.

If you want, you could send me the mesh and I can run it through and see if it exports OK for me. I have Max 6.

That would rule out any corruption of the script etc.