I'd do it without changing the cover as well.
I have used copper spray gasket sealer in similar situations on other motors very successfully, especially when everything is new and you just decided to double check something so you could sleep at night.

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2001 x5 3.0 (sold with broken motor), 1990 e30 M3, 1991 318is, 2002 325i, 2008 335i Dinan stage 3 6 speed,