El Cid

After 10+ years, the state finally sent me a new license plate. The dealer had transferred my old plate to my E350 when I purchased it. Got my screwdrivers ready and looked at the plate. M-B uses torx head screws! I understand the purpose and principal behind a torx, but still this is for license plate. Got out the old pliers and managed to get them off.
Have lots of tools, drivers, etc. to include metric, but none of my sets had torx drivers.
Ironically there is a metal bracket behind the plate which attaches to the car and the plate is attached to this bracket. Since it obviously was intended for US, why not use phillips or flat screws?
While the torx may help prevent someone stealing the plate, I seriously doubt that is the reason.

JohnnyC

because dealers have essential hardware on site such as screws, bolts, washers, nuts, etc.. for various repairs. They grab whatever M6 screw they had on hand and it was torx. Or maybe their license plate screws are torx from the purchasing department.

Honestly its not THAT big of a deal. Go to Home depot buy yourself a phillips pan head screw in M6 threads and replace if it matters that much. $1 max.

El Cid

Ah, but it is. 25 mile trip to HD or 15 miles to any other auto parts or hardware store. But then I have to really know what size threads my bracket has. Or take the screw. Oops, that is what is holding the plate on.
It was just frustrating that something this simple should be made so complicated.
Indidentally, the bracket that was in the trunk for the front license plate bracket came with phillips head screws.
I also imagine the bracket came from M-B with the screws already mounted in it.

kajtek1

Low-torqued torx can be taken with 12-point socket.
Torx is new technology. I swapped short block on OM642 engine this year and with exception of about 6 bolts, all other 300 bolts are torx.
Funny that the same size head can be find on 5 mm and 6 mm.
Bottom line, I had to buy 8th socket set for the job.
That beside than none of my 4 metric sets had 16 mm or 7 mm wrenches.

JohnnyC

torx was designed in 1967...

You can order the screws on amazon or ebay, shipped to your doorstep. maybe $5 max.

i feel like im crazy; im the only one on here that owns a german car with torx tools???

dbldpr

Replaced my license plate screws with MB emblem screws from China. Cost about $1 each. they screw on by hand. never need a tool. They look great

kajtek1

With all the registration stickers theft I would hesitate to install plate that can be removed with no tools.
When I had to buy screws years ago, I went to hardware close to marina and bought stainless steel bolts.
They cost cents and will look good for next 100 years.
Home Depot carry metric SS bolts as well but since they don't sell lot of them, the bins are in total mess.