M50 intake if you want to get rid of the DISA Valve and probably the CCV.

The bit that secures the flap in the main body of the unit can be pushed in, therefore making it look like the flap may have worked its way loose. My garage guy is going to take the manifold apart and check for the flap and any damage. To be honest removimg the manifold will make it easier for him to replace the split pipe as it sits under the manifold.

Agree, the DISA problem only came to light upon trying to remove the boot, as i was unable to access the jubiliee clips holding the boot, therefore removed the DISA for better access and noticed the flap missing.

That depends on what you find. There are 2' long flexible grabber tools that most mechanics have to retreive dropped bolts. If it's in a really bad place, perhaps you do need to remove the manifold. But bottom line, a full investigation needs to be made.

I do think that the OP needs to ask himself if he's got the right mechanic if that mechanic does not have a Boroscope/fibre optic camera of some sort. It's really an essential tool to diagnose internal problems. Even for external issues, such as BMW V8 oil leaks, they are invaluable. I just had my Indy shop fix an oil leak on my E70. Without the camera, they would have had to remove the bottom plastic cover and aluminum reinforcement plate to see where the leak was. There's just so little room in the engine compartment. The camera showed that my leak was from the housing where the oil cooler lines enter the block, (oil thermostat). Repair was done through the driver's side fender well. EVERY decent shop should own one of these. Personally, I have a non-digital version at home, and those are pretty cheap, but still somewhat effective. Remember, it's on YOUR dime when your mechanic does not have the proper tools and has to do extra work to work around his deficiencies.

Woah. So I can swap my current intake on my m54 to an m50 intake and I get to remove the DISA and maybe the ccv? Has anyone done this? What are the pros and cons of this this? Seems like a good plan.

I know that people with M52 engines were swapping M50 intakes to get a little bit more power.

upallnight, you know the worst part of a colonoscopy for a Gold Coast housewife?

Finding shoes to match the bag. [Old joke, couldn't resist ....]

This was discussed on this forum.

m50 intake on m54 head?

On my E34 the throttle had a mechanical linkage and not a drive by wire setup. You will need to make an adapter plate for the throttle body.

Worse part is downing a gallon of water to flush out your colon.