Cheers for the reply. I'd be looking to use the blu-ray drive for games as well - would that alter your view? I wouldn't completely rule out buying privately, if I could get a worthwhile reduction in price.
I'm not sure, my fat is still working so my experiences are limited to other people's PS3s. The Super Slim's blu-ray drive can get quite loud but so too can the Slim's (louder than the fat's).