[Max Well]

Originally Posted by pluckydks

Max Well I should've replied to this months ago when I moved back to the States but it seems this thread was revived. I was worried about this when I picked up my car Stateside because I had the new plate holder. I went to several dealers between Galveston (where I picked it up at) and San Antonio and no one had the old plate holders anymore. When I brought it up to the dealer in San Antonio, they gave me a pack of screws that come in the hardware pack that comes inside every new car.

The screw is a mix of the two you have pictured, where it is still self tapping, but short enough to not go through the plate holder. You guys that are having issues with getting the paint scratched, your dealer might have been using screws that came for something else?

pluckydks, thanks, but even though the full license bracket bag of screws came with my X3MC, only two of the wide-thread, sharp-edged cutting screws work to cut into the cheap plastic. I'm attaching some pictures I put together this morning along with discussion. In sum, the 12mm cutting screw was the size needed to hold our frame, and they were the ones that cut into the paint at each corner. The 8mm cutting screw was too short and didn't hold. The 8mm finely-threaded 'good' screw has much more ability to grasp as it goes into the finely machined metal alloy guide which is imbedded into the plastic. And there is no way it can injure the paint.

I still contend there is no reason the 'cheap' bracket with the cutting screws should ever be included with a BMW. Low-end economy brand perhaps, but even that would be a stretch. Really surprised that conceptual design change ever got approved...

[spta97]

MaxWell - Thanks for the additional details.

On mine, it seemed they only used 4 of the short 8mm screws. Behind those were the tiny foam pads (one of which fell off).

As stated, one of them did not hold but I am looking forward to getting the new holder which has the threaded inserts as I have zero faith any of these screws will hold (especially with aggressive rattling from my sub)

This is only my 2nd BMW (and it's been 15 years since the last one) but I did think the design was cheezey. Glad there is a solution and thanks for the link!

[pluckydks]

Originally Posted by Max Well

pluckydks, thanks, but even though the full license bracket bag of screws came with my X3MC, only two of the wide-thread, sharp-edged cutting screws work to cut into the cheap plastic. I'm attaching some pictures I put together this morning along with discussion. In sum, the 12mm cutting screw was the size needed to hold our frame, and they were the ones that cut into the paint at each corner. The 8mm cutting screw was too short and didn't hold. The 8mm finely-threaded 'good' screw has much more ability to grasp as it goes into the finely machined metal alloy guide which is imbedded into the plastic. And there is no way it can injure the paint.

I still contend there is no reason the 'cheap' bracket with the cutting screws should ever be included with a BMW. Low-end economy brand perhaps, but even that would be a stretch. Really surprised that conceptual design change ever got approved...

Dang...That middle black screw is exactly the one I'm talking about. I agree, they should've left the old design, but for me, that one still fits and holds. I have a BMW license plate frame, so maybe that helps keep it away from the paint also. As far as the foam pads, they do fall off, and I hope mine is still on there. Otherwise, my plan was to put double sided 3M tape there, and not peel off the side facing the paint.

[crst4s]

I got the "cheap" licence plate bracket. Being forewarned by this thread, I used a couple of plastic spacers to mount the bracket a little further away from the trunk lid. This gives more space for the mounting screws and also makes cleaning around the licence plate easier.

[Max Well]

Originally Posted by pluckydks

Dang...That middle black screw is exactly the one I'm talking about. I agree, they should've left the old design, but for me, that one still fits and holds. I have a BMW license plate frame, so maybe that helps keep it away from the paint also. As far as the foam pads, they do fall off, and I hope mine is still on there. Otherwise, my plan was to put double sided 3M tape there, and not peel off the side facing the paint.

Thanks for the additional replies, all.

pluckydks - for some who have to remove their plates annually to add a sticker, which may partially reside underneath the frame, I doubt the 8mm wide thread screw will be able to withstand repeated use. Screwed in one time, snug (not too tight to partially strip the plastic), it will probably be fine. But as with spta97, suspect many will have to find a way to hot glue or something similar to get it to hold another time.

I just didn't want to take the chance, especially when we fortunately can still purchase the good one and for so little (less than $10). And just a point about the foam falling off the back side, this shows another design aspect which makes for a less than ideal surface for the pad to remain attached.

[pluckydks]

Understood. Luckily, Texas doesn't have the annual sticker on the plate. I could see what you mean, though. For now, my pads are still on and are 2-3mm away from the paint. I should get one of those good ones now just in case they disappear in the future.

Originally Posted by Max Well

Thanks for the additional replies, all.

pluckydks - for some who have to remove their plates annually to add a sticker, which may partially reside underneath the frame, I doubt the 8mm wide thread screw will be able to withstand repeated use. Screwed in one time, snug (not too tight to partially strip the plastic), it will probably be fine. But as with spta97, suspect many will have to find a way to hot glue or something similar to get it to hold another time.

I just didn't want to take the chance, especially when we fortunately can still purchase the good one and for so little (less than $10). And just a point about the foam falling off the back side, this shows another design aspect which makes for a less than ideal surface for the pad to remain attached.

[Max Well]

Originally Posted by pluckydks

Understood. Luckily, Texas doesn't have the annual sticker on the plate. I could see what you mean, though. For now, my pads are still on and are 2-3mm away from the paint. I should get one of those good ones now just in case they disappear in the future.

An inexpensive backup plan - I've got an extra one as well.

[allinon72]

I'm glad I found this thread - my recently purchased 20' October 2019 build has the crappy frame - I quickly ordered the Oxgord frame, even though I generally despise the off brand crap on Amazon. Upon receiving the frame, I was pleased to see it meeted or exceeded the old OEM "good" frame I was used to. Saved me some paint damage for sure.

[BobsM3Coupe]

Anyone happen to know the part # for the 4 small BMW phillips head screws that mount the actual license plate to the old style plate frame? Thanks

[Max Well]

Originally Posted by BobsM3Coupe

Anyone happen to know the part # for the 4 small BMW phillips head screws that mount the actual license plate to the old style plate frame? Thanks

Not sure, but a quick search online seems this one might be it?

07119906254 ("Genuine BMW Countersunk Screw")

[B-52Gunner]

The current plate mount is absolute garbage. I took the old style plate frame off of my old X3 M40i before the change over.

[P1]

Max Well very informative thread, thank you. My OEM bracket on my 2015 X5 was bent due to the license plate screws being too long and the bracket being forced out. I ordered the Amazon bracket you mentioned.

If I'm looking for some nice black license plate screws to finish it off, what do you recommend?

[Kevin_The_Clean1]

I had no idea this was even a thing. But I did experience this same cheep design on my 2020 X3 M that dad a build date of January 2020. The 4 holes got stripped after taking my license plate off only twice. I will certainly check to see if my new 2021 X3 MC has this better version on it.

[Max Well]

Originally Posted by P1

Max Well very informative thread, thank you. My OEM bracket on my 2015 X5 was bent due to the license plate screws being too long and the bracket being forced out. I ordered the Amazon bracket you mentioned. If I'm looking for some nice black license plate screws to finish it off, what do you recommend?

Although black screws would be ideal (if anybody can find a link to order some please share here), I just used my Forney black oil marker described in these earlier posts to paint the heads. It's proven to be very durable for over a year despite multiple washes on not only the screw heads but also the bright chrome badge lettering.

https://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showp...1&postcount=25
https://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showp...6&postcount=35
https://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showp...9&postcount=37

[P1]

Originally Posted by Max Well

Although black screws would be ideal (if anybody can find a link to order some please share here), I just used my Forney black oil marker described in these earlier posts to paint the heads. It's proven to be very durable for over a year despite multiple washes on not only the screw heads but also the bright chrome badge lettering.

https://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showp...1&postcount=25
https://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showp...6&postcount=35
https://x3.xbimmers.com/forums/showp...9&postcount=37

Waiting on my new plates to come in, but received the Amazon frame. Indeed looks like an identical match. I took the screws that came as part of the package and used OEM BMW Black Sapphire Metallic touch up paint + clear coat to paint the screws black. Two layers of black plus two layers of clear. Looks great.

[Sarg33]

Black nail polish (or any color of your choice) is good for painting screw heads. Very durable and comes with a nifty little paint brush!
Just another option.

[spta97]

Originally Posted by spta97

MaxWell - Thanks for the additional details.

On mine, it seemed they only used 4 of the short 8mm screws. Behind those were the tiny foam pads (one of which fell off).

As stated, one of them did not hold but I am looking forward to getting the new holder which has the threaded inserts as I have zero faith any of these screws will hold (especially with aggressive rattling from my sub)

This is only my 2nd BMW (and it's been 15 years since the last one) but I did think the design was cheezey. Glad there is a solution and thanks for the link!

Well it took me 10 months, but I finally got this installed and it's great!

I have a large sub in my truck so I did Peal and Seal on the actual plate and the holder, then some ~1/2 foam between the plate holder and the trunk.

The plate is now held much more securely.

One downer, the screws are magnetic so not stainless steel. I have an ///M plate frame with screw caps so shouldn't be an issue, but I would be curious if anyone has an issue with the screws rusting.

Max Well - Thanks for coming through again with the great find and detailed post!

[1Volfan]

Got mine installed today. Less than $8 from Amazon with free shipping so hard to beat. Ran out of time to do something about the chrome screws though since they are too short for the black plastic covers so that will have to wait for another day.

[spta97]

Originally Posted by 1Volfan

Got mine installed today. Less than $8 from Amazon with free shipping so hard to beat. Ran out of time to do something about the chrome screws though since they are too short for the black plastic covers so that will have to wait for another day.

I'm going to hit Ace/Lowes one of these days to see if I can find SS screws for mounting the plate. I'll also probably put anti-seize on the threads to prevent any issues with the female part.

When I do I'll post the size and pitch as I didn't see it in this thread.

One of these days I will treat myself to a thread gauge so I can order screws online and save a trip to the store:

https://www.primetools.com/products/...13259194597437

[Kevin_The_Clean1]

Max Well - Thank for you all the research you did & insight you provided here. It's a bummer that the older frame which was a much better design is now discontinued. Thankfully high quality replicas can be had for 1/4 the OEM price.

I noticed that even though the old style frame is discontinued, thankfully the correct bolts (#9 in the diagram) are still available.

https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...18#51187160607


j080808 - Thank you for your help as well. I'm really glad you found a solution that's easily & quickly available from Amazon.

[pyo]

to raise awareness to new owners

Just got my LCI X3MC last week and spent countless hours on this forum. Glad I came across this post, as mine has the crappy version. I still have temp tags on so luckily it hasn't gone through the felt backing. Once I get my permanent tags, I will be replacing with this:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

The pictures don't show it, but it comes with 2 sets of bolts (4 x short, 4 x long).

[Kevin_The_Clean1]

Picking up a 2020 next week & I bet it has this older design on it.