[JimD]

The only risk from a leak at the gasket is that the oil level might get too low and cause engine damage. That risk can be mitigated by checking the level and filling as soon as it gets below the fully full mark.

My 128i is my first BMW but most of my cars over the years have been used cars well up in miles which leaked a little oil. The impact is to the driveway, not the usability of the car.

I do not like our oil level sensor system but I think mine works. I didn't tighten the oil filter housing cap after an oil change and it told me I was losing oil. I think it is sufficiently accurate to tell you if you are low. (the oil filter cap junction is pressurized so you can loose oil much more quickly than from the pan gasket which is not pressurized)