Valander if you are really patient try using masks with the lazy mouse option turned on. Use that you make panels. I't probably better to use a displacement map and the displace brush though so you get the precision you want.
Yeah I like to use a Mix of Clay brush and flatten, I avoid pinch like the plague. Sometimes use layer, and masks,lazy mouse are your friend. Though I find 90% of the work can be done just hoping between clay and flatten.
Agree with pior... and it shouldn't matter what you use for subdividing in max or any other app so long as you can maintain edge/crease hardness, which smoothing groups do. The idea here is that you are subdividing up the base mesh so that polygon density stays consistent and evenly distributed, making for an easier time…