I got it all fixed up last Friday, and I'll try to post some pics when I have time to. But really I covered the main issue you will run into on the E82 chassis - which is that T20 torx is not the way to remove the shuttle from the glass - use the allen key on the back of the "Hook/T-head Bolt"
But thanks guys. I ended up probably not truly saving anything, as time = money. But I'm the type of guy who likes working on my car. Nothing feels better than going out on a drive after cleaning all the grease off yourself. In the end you'll save money too - it's these DIYs that you have not done before that take the most time. Just doing your own oil changes, and brake/rotor changes will save you a bit of cash in the long run. AND you can put better stuff in there than stock and still save money.
Plus without doing this stuff on my own I'd never have the collection of tools I have now
Just got myself a cheap impact wrench that I'm sure I will love later.