"Are the extras the MT brings worth it?"
Not a new kettle type person, but I pay attention to what people say about such things....
If you're going new, Mastertouch is likely the best deal....HEAVY Gourmet grate ( the hole in center one for the various inserts), a riser / warmer thing, lid bale, yes, coal baskets & they are a few inches TALLER than all previous kettles.......just looked at one up close at a Weber travelling roadshow & talked to the reps about it some.....if I were to buy new, that would be it.....