.3DS export/import trouble from 3DMAX5

[naswi_prowler]

I recently obtained some new models to use in some courseware I'm working on. They are in .MAX format. I currently am using Metacreations/Evoia Carrara 1.0 for my modeling purposes... not great, but it works. I have obtained a copy of 3D max 5 from one of our other offices so that I can utilize the 30day grace period to convert my models to .3DS format. Carrara can only import this 3D Studio Max format. My problem however is that about 90% of the models that I export as 3DS files don't import correctly into Carrara. The texture maps all come out fine but the groups are not placed where they should be. For instance my canopy glass is offset dramatically from the actually cockpit. Also, certain objects are not showing up at all, mainly item that appear to have been cloned or duplicated in 3DMax. Can anyone help me out here? I'm really trying to save myself a lot of time by not having to rebuild the whole thing. Thanks in advance.