POBEP - it's been several years since I did my installation, so I don't remember all the specifics, but here are my thoughts:

1) Advice on lower dipstick bolt - all I can remember is that it was really far down, but I did get to it from the top. No way it was reachable while standing next to the engine compartment. I remember putting a bunch of padding (old towels and bathmats) on top of the engine and then having to lie on top of the engine and reach my arm way down. As I think I noted, it probably looked like I was doing something obscene to the engine. Cannot remember whether I used socket extensions, but it is certainly possible.

2) I used worm clamps for the vacuum hose and the oil drain tube connections.

3) No idea about the CCV plate torque values. As I recall I just snugged it up to roughly what it had seemed like to remove. I seem to recall there is a rubber gasket so the torque was not too high.

Hope that helps. Good luck.

__________________
Stephen
2010 e70 35d- now driven by son #2
2005 e53 3.0 - now driven by son #1
2021 G05 45e PHEV - now driven by me
2008 ML320 CDI - driven by wife