I gave my SD4 an oil service yesterday and thought i'd try out the "remove the fans" method to give better access. I removed the relevant wiring loom, released the four clips, removed the bracket holding the top coolant pipe and at this point the fan should "lift straight out". Not a chance! The fan unit was free to move about but no way was it going to get past the air con pipes on the left hand side without damage. What is the secret here? maybe the space is tighter in the SD4 than the TD4? In the end I just put it back together and undid the oil filter the usual (pain in the neck) way. Any tips?

27mm swivel headed ratchet spanner. You won’t believe how easy that makes the job of filter removal.

http://www.freel2.com/forum/topic22297.html? Past: FL2 TD4 HSE Auto
Evoque SD4 Dynamic Lux Auto
Present: Audi A3 S Line.

Thanks, i have "the spanner" but its still a pain to do. I've been seduced by posts saying how much quicker and easier it is if you remove the fan assembly. I can see that would be the case but i cant see that there is enough room to manoeuvre it out. Also useful to know if i ever need to remove the fan for repair.

I could remove the Fan Assy in my MY13 SD4. Required some fiddling. Unfortunately I did not take any pictures. Was not a big job and made changing the oil filter a pleasure!
 2013 SD4 SE (hers)
2013 SD4 HSE (mine)
Ex: 2008 D3 V8 HSE
EX: 2000 D2 TD5

I can’t speak for the SD4 but there is perhaps an element of knack to it. Although I have taken mine out with no problem on the TD4 each time I have done an oil change, the last time I really struggled to get it out, until it suddenly just lifted easily out! I can’t explain it...perhaps it’s like tying a tie, think about it too much and your sunk! On the TD4, I think it needs to drop to right and lift to the left, it doesn’t lift out square. 2005 D3 2.7 Auto
Previously:
2010 MY FL2 TD4e GS - Now gone at 199,500 miles, about 135,000 of them mine.
‘93 Defender 110 200TDi CSW
‘87 Defender 90 4 cyl Petrol
‘83 110 CSW V8 - best ever!
Range Rover 2-door V8 (not sure of year - 4-speed box and vacuum diff switch)
Series III SWB Diesel

You have not followed the video then: Press the youtube link

 FL2 MY10 TD4 GS traded in at 2 years
FL2 MY13 TD4 GS Current

Lifting straight out was certainly not an option. Is it a matter of pulling the left hand side up and squeezing it past the air con pipes? I just couldn’t get it to do this without risking a breakage. Did you remove any of the other pipes first?