Ugh, Sunday morning, just opened the hood on the 35d and surveyed the plethora of parts needing to come off..... Another coffee before breaking out the wrenches seems justified :-)

Update: It is noon. Loosened the two bolts that are clearly one of the hardest to undo since they are tucked way back where the turbo seems to be or whatever that is. Took the two mounting bolts out of the EGR cooler. The electrical connection on the throttle body is indeed impossible to undo without sticking a small screw driver in there and wiggling it.

Got the cover off the bottom and drained coolant by disconnecting one of the two "mystery" hoses disapppearing into the driver's side fender. Apparently no drain plug at the bottom of the cooler as others have reported. Also disconnected the coolant connections to the EGR cooler and yes it is messy!

Not yet bothered with the fan shroud as so far I can tools in there easily enough. So far my knuckles are in tact... :-)

Next is disconnecting the EGR cooler from the throttle body. Sitting back with a coffee for now to contemplate and look at pictures earlier in this thread. I just remind myself of the avoided cost to keep motivated.....

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2003 4.4i black ext./black int./black headliner (kid's runabout)
2014 535d X-drive, M package, silver/black interior

Sold but not forgotten:
2009 E70 35d, black ext./black int./black headliner (sold 2021)
2006 4.8iS Le Mans blue/cream int./black headliner, SOLD in 2012 sadly...

Other hardware:
2015 Cayenne S (wife's new DD and definitely wroooommmmm)
2016 Tundra 1794 edition crew cab, luxo hauler
2005 Tundra crew cab, weekend hauler. Sold after 150k very happy miles.