CCV replacement 3.0l any tips or tricks!?

[RFaber]

Hello, Well, I had a cracked upper CCV hose (from valve cover to CCV) very easy to spot, not so easy to repair!! ended up using some heat shrink and it worked pretty well! but its not perfect!
Spent a few hours poking around in there, found that the lower hose from the CCV to the oil dipstick is also broken, and therefore leaking oil all over the steering rack etc. Any one ever done the job!? on a 3.0l X5?? Ive done a few on the E36, it was a bit of a bear, but not too bad, the E53 seems really tricky!!!! wondering if the intake does have to come off, despite urban legend that says otherwise!!
Maybe it was because it was a degree or two below freezing, or maybe it was that I couldn't get parts (Sunday) but I didn't want to pull the engine apart, only to have to tell my wife, its staying in the shop for the night!!
Are there any tips or tricks ?? does the intake need to come out?? I figure maybe the alternator comes out, maybe the oil filter housing, that would give a bit of access through the front.
I read through the Bentley manual, there was nothing specific regarding the CCV removal, just some general stuff about removing the intake, the air box, and subsequent hoses etc, the throttle body, the electrical "spider" under the intake etc.
I ended up changing the valve cover gasket, having a beer, and wiping some grease on my face then went in and warmed up!
ordering a hose for the lower ccv-dipstick today! hopefully all will go well!
Ive got a winter prepped CCV, as well as two of the hoses, (all insulated), I have ordered a lower ccv-dipstick hose.
There are a few CCV replacement instructions online, but they are for the 3 series cars, a different ball game as far as I can see!
or am I missing something obvious!?? (like access from the wheel well etc!)
thanx