philip12

I have a 2008 ml350, and this weekend noticed that the (4) philips head screws that holds the license plate to the stainless steel plate bracket mounted to the tailgate are too long, even with the license plate frame in place. The screws actually contact the painted surface of the lift gate. I took off the license plate, and the stainless steel plate bracket, and sure enough, the screws are marking the paint on the liftgate. I am sure after a time of road vibration, the paint and primer will be gone, and the exposed metal of the lift gate will start to rust. I put 2 stainless steel lock washers under the screw head on each screw, this kept the screw from going in so far, and now it can not hit the lift gate. What happened to the engineers that build these things? if I noticed this, why would it slip by them? If these screws are supplied by the dealership, rather then the factory I can understand the oversight.

Tejas

When I put the plates on my CDI, the screws were plastic / nylon.

BruNo

my tailgate paint has been gouged too by the bottom bolts of the dealership plates. worse, i have to remove the US stainless license plate adaptor to give way for my Philippine plates which is longer and shorter in height compared to the US plate. now, an inch below my license plate, u will see 2 bolt paint gouges. i have lived with it though...

vinceching

just checked my ml, and the dealer put in shorter screws and it has maybe 5 mm of space

Brian_74

Checked mine as well and they are short. They just barely go through a license plate frame and into the plate bracket. No scratches here

jerseyMLdriver

Crap I have the long ones from the dealer! Will they charge me if the paint chips when the lease is up?

vinceching

no because they won't know about it and can't see it

PhilR

Same thing here. I found the problem when replacing the temp tag and cut the chromed screws to about a 1/4" shorter before installing the license plate. I presumed the screws were dealer supplied and will mention it next time I am in for service.

paulybagadonuts

This just reaffirms my feelings about the dealerships that prep and sell these fine automobiles.

I just got back from adding some stainless washers on the screws that hold the plates onto the car.

I now have 4 rust spots on the paint behind the plate holder where the screws cut into the finish!!

What would it have taken for whoever the genius was that ordered these screws to order screw a quarter inch shorter??

This just pisses me off that they just don't give a crap!

It's like they are not giving the car its due respect