I think you are on the right track by pulling the manifold. I’d pull the cowl tho first since it is easier and then see if you have enough space to work. If you do pull the manifold too you can get eyes on the valley and check for coolant leaks, and the oil separator and associated hoses, clamps, etc. Its a pain to change the separator and hoses so sometimes they won’t be secured properly, at all, etc. if they’ve been changed in the past. It’s very difficult to get everything on correctly and tight without pulling the intake and cowl.

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Current
Original owner 2002 E53 X5 4.4i to 4.6i swap
2026 G80 M3 6 spd
2025 G06 X5 50e
Former
1972 Audi Fox
1986 Saab 900S
1996 BMW Z3
1998 BMW E36 M3 Sedan
2004 BMW E46 M3
2006 Audi A3 Quatro
1993 Mopar 318 Jeep Grand Cherokee
2015 V6 Jeep Grand Cherokee