I appreciate the insights Bill.

I've also been reading the myriad ways people have removed these lines without jacking the engine up all of which seem eminently achievable:

1.) loosening AC compressor and removing mount
2.) removing oil cooler and radiator and removing from the front
3.) removing engine shock and hose brackets
4.) pulling lines out from under the car (dieselkrauts method, only found a few oblique references to this method).

It'll be a little easier for me a.) having no upper oil cooler hose (this is the one you've suggested making an inch longer which is not relevant in my case. b.) having a 240D with a bit more space to swing a cat.

I might actually get these hoses professionally done as I have no intention of making any AC lines in the future. This would be a one and done kind of job for such an expensive tool... though I guess the cost, including the hose, ferrules and die grinder might be about the same as both professionally tooled rebuilds.

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1981 240D 4sp manual. Ivory White.