Heres a weird one for you

[Error404]

I've never had any probs with the linkage in the way on the 5spd, always seemed to be an over exaggerated job to me

David's method is spot on, for the 3B / CQ anyway

[s2driveruk]

yup access is clear on the 3b in neutral from memory (was a couple of years back) but no issues getting at it...just by feel rather than sight but i have done worse things on the car

[4WheelDrifter]

That is a weird one. If you can get your head, or a mirror in there you could look for the date stamp under the 'min' mark. That could give you a clue to how long it's been there.

I agree with the 5 speed bleed.
The six speed isn't so bad with the wheel, suspension, driveshaft and so on out of the way, and as Mark says, the linkage taken off and moved out of the way.

[Error404]

i'll have a look see if i can see the stamp

Can't you bleed the 6 spd from the engine bay?