Gearbox fluid & filter change

[Phil303]

I've booked my S8 in for a preventative gearbox fluid and filter change. The garage were brought to a halt by having to potentially remove the down pipe to get access to it. Apparently the the off-side pipe is a bit of an obstruction and with the fixings being rusty they are exercising caution.

They will do it but it's a longer job than anticipated.

Is there another way to access the gearbox or does it require quite a bit of dismantling of exhausts pipes etc?