Thermostat Gates or OEM BMW

I was instructed by a friend who had some of m47 and m57, to buy thermostat only original from bmw, because everything else doesn't work as long or good.

I’ve got the gates 180, 5 years strong no issues

The replacement thermostat came from BMW. No problems this time.

Man, you just get the thermostat itself. Nothing more. Something like that was for 2008 Rabbit (2.5 I-5). Mine car had exactly same symptoms. It would reach 70 C and maybe at some point 80, but had tendency to stay cool (below 80) when driving. I know thermostat opens at 80 C, so anything below 80 is not quite right.

I got the GATES 34710 Thermostat. I haven't had any problems since replacing it 3 years ago.

Forgot to add I test drove her last night to the store, holy $hit it runs like a beast, if I had to guess it feels like it got 20hp back and idles smooth as a new mk7 no shaking no cel lights just butter, it accelerates much smoother and faster then I ever had it. Such a difference it was amaze balls.

By the way, that Gates thermostat (good brand - OEM quality, includes gasket) is $24, delivered, while AutoZone in my area wants $32

Changed to genuine thermostat, no change. Needle tends to dip on higher load highway driving, but only occasionally. Obd temp is between 77C-88C.