I think that if you use smoothing within the Editable Poly modifier, you can choose which edges you wish to smooth, whereas the Smooth modifier smooths everything.
Convert your model to an editable polygon (if it's not already), or apply the Edit Poly modifier, then go in and you'll see Mesh Smooth, or something similar to it (I don't have Max open right now), and you can choose the edges you wish to smooth. This should give you more control over the smoothing process.
Joe Bourke
Owner/Creative Director
Bourke Media
http://www.bourkemedia.com