Sims 3 correct install order

The Sims 3 install order

1) The Sims 3
2) patch 1.18.9
3) The Sims 3: World Adventures (additions: Treasure hunting, landmark exploration in different countries, new skills, new traits)
4) patch v.2.13.6 for The Sims: World Adventures
5) The Sims 3: High-End Loft Stuff(includes High-end furnishings. Fashion-forward apparel, tailored suits, and sophisticated outerwear. To celebrate the 10th anniversary of The Sims, 3 items from The Sims or The Sims 2 are re-introduced: the heart-shaped vibrating bed, the electric guitar, and the aquarium.)
6) patch v.3.9.6 for The Sims 3: High-End Loft Stuff
7) Sims 3: Ambitions (includes: Control within work, Laundry, new careers, new skills, new traits, Tattoo system, new NPC's, new carreers and professions, new deaths)
8) patch 4.6.6 for Sims 3: Ambitions
9) Sims 3: Fast Lane Stuff (includes: New vehicles and items for four different fast-lane lifestyles: racing, intrigue, rockabilly, and classic luxury.)
10) patch v.5.4.4 for Sims 3: Fast Lane Stuff
11) Sims3: Late Night ( includes Night Clubs, Bars, New Careers, New Skills, New Traits, Zodiac signs, Penthouse Suites, Butlers, Hot tubs, Subways, Elevators, Breast and Muscle Sliders, New clothes and accessories, New furniture, New cars, New way of designing a swimming pool, Skyscrapers, new NPC's, new deaths, new careers and professions).
12) patch 6.1.11 for Sims3: Late Night

Will be updated later.

Also there will be a similar thread for the original Sims, no date for that one yet.

For now only the mods can post here.

Wolf are you gonna get this tutorial made into a sticky, good info there for people who are planning to get this.

Edit: Haha my bad just noticed it is stickyed

It's still a work in progress, because what EA says and what happens on your PC it's a different story. EA made a mess with the special editions for Sims2, and this one it's no different. I don't recommend anyone special editions (excepting The Sims: Complete Collection), as they make a mess out of the installation order. I have loads of male and female friends that bought the Special Editions for Sims2 and had big troubles installing the whole package. Though EA says that Sims 2 and 3 can be installed in any order, the expansions and the stuff packs are checking for specific patches, stuff pack and addons to be found on your HDD. So you are safer buying the stuff packs and the expansions as they are shelled out. If anyone wants to buy Sims2 and can't find the whole package, my advise is: wait for a complete collection. Same goes for Sims 3. Sooner or later, those will be out. I have some nice stuff from the original Sims (registered copies), one being next to impossible to find now. Unfortunately it can't be posted as it's copyrighted content. I'd wish to share all that stuff for the original Sims, but my hands are tied. One of the Maxis objects released back then was an White House replica that quickly disappeared from the site (me i've managed to get it). Had loads of fun fiddling with that White House replica.