javamon, I shared your pain [and joy] comparing cabin filter replacement between E36 and E53 bimmers. It was pure hell for an older guy [who weighs 220 lbs plus] to get to the E36 cabin filter in a 1997 cabrio .....

While you are crawling around and changing fluids, I'd look carefully at the oil filter and valve cover gaskets for leaks/seeping. Very common on the M54.

__________________
2006 X5 3.0 6-spd w/Evo UUC ssk
sport/premium pkgs
born Valentine's Day, 2006.