Digital BW, The Print

I'm scanning with an Epson V700 and Epson Scan in Photoshop. The way I
see it I have 3 choices in how to scan.
1. B&W neg film, 16bit greyscale
2. B&W neg film 48 bit color scan
3. color neg film 48 bit color scan
In loosly testing these I hav'nt seen a big difference between them, I
am open to suggestions. 

I have been a photographer for going on 40 years, digital LF format
printer (had a business for a while) for 6 years, but most of that was
color. I moved, got a paying job (eye photography) but don't have a
B&W darkroom anymore so I bought a Canon iPF5000. So I'm starting to
scan my old B&W negs.

Tom