Thanks Andrew, got not spurt alas, the turbo is just not kicking in....

Wayne hi again fella jeez I am scanning ebay and found one that looks good with the copper nuts (not sure is obligatory to have em) but all sorts of warnings it wont fit on an an M57N2 engine....from the factory spec i had direct from bmw not sure i am ok I got an M57/TU engine??? for sure not the same as an M57N2...I attached image

Your car has the M57TU, also known as the M57N.

The M57TU2 (also known as the M57N2) has an alloy block and was used in the E70 X5 from 2007 onwards.

Interestingly, the original M57 engine (in the E53 X5 from 1999-2003) used a cast iron exhaust manifold. The M57TU (in the E53 X5 from 2004-2006) used a stainless mainfold, that frequently fails. The M57TU2 (in the E70 X5, 2007 onwards) reverted back to a cast iron manifold, although its a very different design from the ones that fit the M57TU.

Make sure the manifold you buy is designed for the M57TU, which uses 28mm exhaust ports (slightly larger than the earlier M57 exhaust ports).

The copper nuts are correct - they need to be replaced along with the manifold (and all the gaskets). They are self-locking nuts (slightly squashed out-of-round).

I didn't end up replacing the exhaust studs on mine, since they all stayed in place when I removed the old nuts/manifold.

mate thanks, as I was scratching my head trying to find out what engine I actually had...am looking at these 2 as sources to get the cast manifold and those nuts have to be copper? as one of the sellers doesn't supply copper but some other alloy i guess

https://www.ebay.com/itm/190971414636 and this one says over and over NOT FOR M57N2 ENGINE...that I guess I dont have

OR https://www.ebay.com/itm/391385809916

Wayne not sure I will be able to achieve what you recommend below re 28mm holes as all those sold on ebay have a generic fitment range e.g yes they tell me they are NOT for an M57N2 engine but then go on to say they cover follow, and 525D, 530D, M57, M57N, 218BHP, 177 BHP, 164BHP (1998 – 2002, 2003 - 2007)

E60, E61, E65, E53, X3, E46, E38, E39
3, 5, 7 Series, X3, X5 Series

I've used this same seller you already linked for several times without problems. This is for your M57N (M57/TU)engine.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/190971414636

okeee great to know gonna go ahead and get it, out here they have quoted yes 500euros for bmw oem and 400 for an aftermarket! so this one at about 100 and being cast iron seems like a steal...

A good YouTuber to subscribe: Pine Hollow Diagnostics
Check out his turbo adjustment on an X3.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4nyE9zcV_HE

welllll just ordered that exact one lets hope for the best, as I have had nightmares with this car and parts, I sourced a starter motor for it and besides assurances from local seller it was the correct one it was not! could have just been 'reputable' reseller but it was a no go, later sourced from a much smaller outlet and was fine.....crossing my fingers on is correct as I will be well and truly stuffed if at install time mechanic says no!

Morning or afternoon all, well Turbo not spooling issue(coupled with plume of smoke in cold startup in engine bay near manifold) , ok turbo usually would kick in at about 1800revs....I get to 2000 and no go, BUT driving windows down in the road just before getting onto the highway with high walls on either....at a little over 2000 I could hear the little whining noise i miss,and car pulls ok... so seems at that high revs it does kick in as wpoll says hope it is the fact that crack manifold is skewing it at the low revs..., whereas at the higher revs despite the cracked mainfold i will still get the needed 'gases; out the manifold at sufficient pressure to force the spooling, please correct me if i am wrong.