Thanks to everyone who has contributed to this thread - I have just replaced an outer LH boot on my '05 E53 3.0d by dropping only the rear lower control arm and popping the axle from the outer joint - 60 minutes total time under the wheel arch, 2 hours total time including set up and clean up. I read all 30 pages of this thread first, which took more time that the job itself!
Removing the axle from the outer CV joint (with the CV joint still in the hub) was the quickest and easy way to do this. Removing the axle from the outer CV joint was pretty easy using all the tips in this thread, as was re-installing it.
Time to go and buy that lottery ticket!
