BMW has changed manufacturers of the composite thermostat housing and that manufacturer is providing a "red" silicone gasket (there is also an orange version with the same oversized dimensions). DO NOT USE this gasket. These gaskets are oversized and will cause the housing to crack during installation or deform the mating the surface. These are the same gaskets that all the metal housings come with, do not use those either.
You need to order an original style Elring gasket. They are orange and have a pointy tapered tip on both mating sides. It's possible BMW still sells the proper gasket when ordered separate.
Toodaloo provided this pic of both. The "red" silicone gasket is installed and was included in the Genuine BMW thermostat housing box. The orange gasket on top is the original specification gasket that is known to work.

You need to order an original style Elring gasket. They are orange and have a pointy tapered tip on both mating sides. It's possible BMW still sells the proper gasket when ordered separate.
Toodaloo provided this pic of both. The "red" silicone gasket is installed and was included in the Genuine BMW thermostat housing box. The orange gasket on top is the original specification gasket that is known to work.

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