240D engine removal Haynes questions

[Charlie20]

First I want to thank this forum for all of the excellent information that has helped me many times. Now, I would be very appreciative of some advice on my next project, which is to remove and overhaul my 240D engine.
I have the Haynes manual, and plan on following it exactly for engine removal. It and the shop manual call out removing the engine and transmission together as a unit. Since I do not need to do anything with the transmission, wouldn't it be just as easy (or maybe easier) to leave the transmission (automatic) in, and separate the engine from the transmission? If I do this, can I leave in the transmission support bracket? What problems could I expect? It seems fairly straightforward but I am wondering if Haynes had a reason for removing them together.