The solid rubber trans pan gasket is crap. Go with the metal composite(sandwich) gasket. You are right that you would have been better off reinstalling the old gasket. No sealer would be best, you need to careful with gasket sealer on automatics.

2 post hoists are getting to be pretty cheap as well.

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1988 325is (purchased new) sold
2004 X5 3.0 2005 X3 2.5
2008 X5 3.0 (new to me)