Direct2Drive
 

I was wondering, if i get the direct2drive version of this game will i be able to add GWX? and other goodies?

Yes,
Reinstalls are common in SH3, so be sure you keep the D/l file safe.
The best thing to do is after you have installed the game, copy the folder "Silent HunterIII" to a DVD, and use this for reinstalls into your Ubisoft folder.

I am probably one of the few who purchased the game through direct2drive.

I have reinstalled the game several times, repatched, use Commander, JSGME, tried sh3Gen. Now I haven't yet tried sh3multi but by the end of the year I may reformat my machine and use it for different mods. In the recent past I've installed a bunch of smaller mods, harbour traffic, NYGM, GWX, and currently War Ace on the D/L version without real issues. Issues being mostly my bad, installing a mod without rolling back etc.

Just remember you have a limited number of activations
 

The one bad thing i have to warn you about the d2d version.
You will have a limited number of activations, i think its five.

I bought the d2d version, finnally ran out of activations due to reformats and changeing computers.
I then bought the dvd version through a ebay auction, you can get new copys fairly cheap if you look around.:arrgh!:

Can't Install Patch 1.4b
 

I too bought the D2D version of the game, but I cannot install the patch (1.4) When I begin to do so I get this error message: "The program cannot update the installed version of SH3 US Download v1.0 tov1.3 because of the following reason: C:\program files\ubisoft\SH3\data\menu\de_menu.txt: unknown version PLEASE HELP!!!

This problem is mentioned in this thread with some advice on how to cure it.

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=121645

Nemo

I surpassed the amount of times you can activate it via D2D before I figured out the whole "copy SHIII directory elsewhere after fresh install" trick. However, it didn't take them more then a day to respond to my trouble ticket and issue me another key for activation again.