There are better than OE versions of the oil filter housing gaskets on a lot of bmw engines.

For the 4.8i oil filter thermostat housing MAHLE B32856 Fluoroelastomer is a "Viton type" material and should actually be better than the original BMW one.

This is for the oil thermostat version of the bracket that has the divider in it. This is the one that is needed for my 2008 4.8i. The older style "alternator bracket" version is a different part number on the e53.

Rockauto has the best price I have seen on them.

I think bavauto has viton gaskets for some other engines. They do have the M54 gasket but I am not sure about the N52.

-Rich