Oil drain plug part number?
 

What is the BMW part number for the oil drain plug for my 2001 X5 E53 3.0i? I'm still on the original plug and figure I should swap it out.

I would just get a dimple magnetic plug since you are going to do that.

The oil drain plug should be a life item, there is no standard replacement schedule. There is no reason to replace it unless you manage to break it.

Having said that, there is a standard for them. You should be able to go to any auto parts store and buy a suitable replacement.

You can find all of the parts that the factory used to build your car on Welcome to realoem.com |bmw parts | bmw parts catalog| bmw epc! or Penske Parts - Parts Catalog for BMW & Mini

Item 3 is the object of your desire.

RealOEM.com * BMW E53 X5 3.0i OIL PAN/OIL LEVEL INDICATOR

Ditto the comments above...unless you've stripped it or broken it off...there should be no need to replace the oil drain plug...the only thing that should be replaced in that area is the gasket (#4 in the diagram below). But that gasket should come in the oil filter kit that you purchased everytime you change the oil...unless you're not buying the kit that comes with the gasket for the drain plug and oil cap:

^Agreed just replace the copper crush washer at each oil change.

Or be like me and replace the washer on the Dimple plug I installed each oil change.

MAGNETIC DRAIN PLUGS

To all of you saying that the oil drain plug is a lifetime item, I agree you have a point.

My counter argument is that I see many people with broken drain plugs, and I figure for a few bucks I should replace the drain plug on my 150k mile X5 just to avoid the possibility of failure.

:beerchug:

Normally, a broken plug is operator error, not a failed part. I suppose smart money might have the spare sitting in a drawer just in case the gorrilla in you percolates to the top.

I agree. Before I bought it, this car had all its oil changes done at various shops, so I really don't know if the bolt was abused or not.

Seems cheap to replace instead of waiting for the possibility it might break at some point.