Hi Dan,
bit too late for this one – but following on from what Simon said with the FILE:PLACE, you can then go to OBJECT:Flatten Transparency. Should give you the contours. You are likely to have fun with clipping masks etc. – but using direct selection should help getting the bits you need. (think you can convert text to curves at this point too – useful if you are placing a file without having the fonts installed). I tick alpha transparency if it is a file needed for print too – not sure if it makes any difference in this respect TBH.
I think when you place file originally, you will have to tick the link button to the file you are placing. (Doing this a bit from memory – don’t have Illustrator on this machine).
Not saying this is a perfect solution but has got me out of trouble on occaisions.
hope helps
martin