Hey Ricky - can you suggest a better brand? I will buy it myself and have it installed.
I am also inclined to just get the valve cover at the same time to stop this leak once and for all.

I was told that the brand victor reinz is good stuff... :(

Tighten down the car cover over the X5 as the winds are hitting 50 mph here in DC. Temps now at 19 and falling. Looks like winter has finally found us. Tonight the weather guys are calling for a deep snow starting on Friday. Looking better all the time.

Thanks to the car gods for minivans, a bad weather/winter beater that is totally expendable at any mileage....:bustingup

For VCG I would stick with Genuine BMW only - for gaskets I tend not to go aftermarket ever, just because one small variance in material can lead to shorter lifespan or early failure

Get the 15 grommets for the bolts as well, and if you are opening it up yourself I would also rebuild the Vanos at the same time.

The Genuine BMW VCG is made of Viton, takes around 4Xs longer to dry out (due to heat/oils) then non-Viton gaskets like Victor Reinz brand.

These "bargain" gaskets are great for used car lots (fixing leaks at minimum cost), and shady indy shops (see the same leak repair every 2 yrs or so, and tell the owner it's BMWs fault).

thanks TiAg and Ricky.
I think I will buy my parts from now and have my indy perform the change.

Replace the alternator bracket gasket. 10HR of work. Man o man!

Stick with OEM gaskets. The difference in price is well worth it vs going back and spending the labor to do it all over again because of inferior quality aftermarket gaskets.

Not fun right. Just went through this myself not too long ago.

Lighting update...
 

Replaced xenon bulbs with Osram Xenarc Night Breakers
Very noticeable improvement in brightness and beam distance. Best $100 that I have spent in awhile.

Replaced all the interior bulbs with LED ones from this kit.
No bulb error messages and really lights up the inside now.

Replaced the rear license plate bulbs with these.
Gives the ass end end of the car a new look at night.

Did you unbolted the crossmember? I did so that I had more room for the diff.