If you plan on keeping for 4-5 Years then I would definitely go for 16GB. If you like the Touch Bar then you should go with the Pro, which also has the benefit of active cooling if you plan to use for gaming.
I would not worry about resale value in 4-5 years time. However the less you spend , the less you will lose, which is one of the reasons that base models tend to hold value better.
I agree completely. It is also true that 8G on the M1 is effectively closer to 16G on an Intel. I have been trying to think of a use case where I would really regret not getting 16G and I can't think of one. It will edit 4K video OK and edit photos. It isn't like I use mine for work where time really is money and even there, it would have to be virtual machines or heavy duty video editing and having lots of apps open at the same time that might break 8G.
I've also got Apple One and I get 2TB of iCloud storage and I have a good internet connection. I guess everyone fears spending a lot and not getting what they need rather than spending a heap more but being more secure in knowing it will be enough.
I do like the Touch Bar and I've already seen the fans go to 2800rpm (iStatistica) while testing Cinebench. CPU temps were in the 90s and and the fans at 2800rpm (barely audible) after 6:30 minutes of Cinebench and the CPUs on 100% loaded up. I have already one day last week ran the battery on the Pro down to 30%. It was a long day. I just love this MBP.
It also actually got hot on the back towards the screen. It has been so silent and so cool I think I had to test it to convince me that it could get hot and engage the fans. I think it means it is one very powerful and power efficient computer. Pretty amazing.