[ft1330]

It's barely been 3 months and my license plate screws that came with the car are already rusting??? Why are they not stainless steel? I did an ED so maybe I got inferior screws? Do you know if these screws are supposed to be galvanized or stainless steel or something by any chance?

[PABrian]

All cars come with a little bag of license plate-related screws, so I would think that what you get with an ED will be the same as if you got it from the dealership.

They shouldn't rust that quickly...I'm sure you can drop by your local dealership and ask your CA for another set of screws.

[ft1330]

Yes it's serious. The screws have rusted in less than 3 months... I have rust runoff on my license plate at this point. I'll check with the dealership but if it's to get the same screws I would rather get something stainless steel that won't rust again.

[alienranch]

Go to your local hardware store, take an existing screw and have them match the size/thread count for a version that won't rust. Easiest fix out there.

[ft1330]

I'm quite familiar with the hardware store, just checking if others had encountered this issue at all. I guess my rainwater is extra corrosive or the BMW screws are crap. No reason for this thread to go south except for the same old 51st stater above.

[PABrian]

The only times I see very rusted screws are on cars that have had them on for many many years. The vast majority of the lease turn-ins and trade-ins that I see that haven't had a plate attached have barely rusted screws that at worst take a bit of muscle to break free then are okay.

i.e. this isn't quite indicative of the screws you should get with your car. BMW did, maybe within the last year or year and a half, switch from screws with a dark chrome finish to a matte, galvanized steel-look. The latter had people concerned that it would rust right away, but so far so good.

[minn19]

Originally Posted by ft1330

I'm quite familiar with the hardware store, just checking if others had encountered this issue at all. I guess my rainwater is extra corrosive or the BMW screws are crap. No reason for this thread to go south except for the same old 51st stater above.

Apparently BMW screws are crap. Both plates on my wife's 6 month old X1 are rusted pretty bad. Gotta hit the hardware store, just haven't yet.

[n55x3]

On both our new BMWs I wasn't feeling the stock license plate screws so switched to these. They look nice, prevent folks from unscrewing my plates unless they have the right bit (not that I've ever had a plate stolen) and in general just have a better feel about them IMHO. Been on my wifes 2011 X3 for nearly 3 years now and still look brand new.

If I can rememebr I'll post a pick of them on my 335i at lunch...

[ft1330]

Originally Posted by OttosBMWBrian

The only times I see very rusted screws are on cars that have had them on for many many years. The vast majority of the lease turn-ins and trade-ins that I see that haven't had a plate attached have barely rusted screws that at worst take a bit of muscle to break free then are okay.

i.e. this isn't quite indicative of the screws you should get with your car. BMW did, maybe within the last year or year and a half, switch from screws with a dark chrome finish to a matte, galvanized steel-look. The latter had people concerned that it would rust right away, but so far so good.

The screws that came with my car are "chromed" (not sure if real chrome). It's just shinny metal. They are rusted to he point I barely see a shiny spot. This was within 3 months.

[ft1330]

Originally Posted by n55x3

On both our new BMWs I wasn't feeling the stock license plate screws so switched to these. They look nice, prevent folks from unscrewing my plates unless they have the right bit (not that I've ever had a plate stolen) and in general just have a better feel about them IMHO. Been on my wifes 2011 X3 for nearly 3 years now and still look brand new.

If I can rememebr I'll post a pick of them on my 335i at lunch...

Sounds good. I'll take a note of the size and thread count. I was concerned it might have been metric. Those are harder to find especially in SS. How does it look with the flat head? Isn't the screw sticking out a little because of the flat head? (can't screw all the way in because it's tapered).

[n55x3]

It looks really nice as the cone on the screw head kind of centers in the license plate holes. The holes are big enough that the screw sits very close to flush on the plate. Honestly, as long as the screw is about the same width as the ones I posted above you should be good. I think these took me a second to get started but as soon as they bit they screwed right in.

[n55x3]

Pix...

[syuan92]

I'm having the same problem as the OP and my screws have a cap on them which came with the chrome BMW license plate holders. I got my car last August so it's been less than a year. On the other hand, New England weather sucks and that's where I live :/

[ft1330]

Originally Posted by n55x3

Pix...

thx for the pix. looks pretty good

[casualDIYer]

Place new screws on car, coat with clear nail polish, last for months

[nickmanderfield]

The screws holding the plate holder onto my trunk are rusting.

[Efthreeoh]

The screws provided in the USA of BMWs have always been a black anodized steel cap screw. I've always just swapped mine with an equivalent stainless steel version. If memory serves the screw is a M8x1.25 by 15MM long. I also replaced the screws for the rear bracket that threads into the trunk w/stainless as well.

[1N54E92]

It is screw holes on the rear license plate holder that was rusted out on mine which caused the rust to show up on the screws and license plate. I took it to the dealership for an replacement.

[polonus]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

If memory serves the screw is a M8x1.25 by 15MM long.

Can someone confirm that? I bought my F30 used, have no original screws and no plate in front but I want to install European license plate I have the plate, I have a plate holder and I have two "dimples" in front bumper. How do I do it? Do I need to cut holes in this bumper? Drill it? Force it with the screw? Are those dimples to show right placement of the screws?

[Fronzdan]

Haha, you guys are making me want to check my screws later.

OP, the chrome screws could be just whatever the dealer had laying around. Are they a multi-brand dealership? I've seen many cars use plastic screws for the plates.

[ft1330]

Originally Posted by Fronzdan

Haha, you guys are making me want to check my screws later.

OP, the chrome screws could be just whatever the dealer had laying around. Are they a multi-brand dealership? I've seen many cars use plastic screws for the plates.

No, that's BMW only. Stainless steel really should be the top choice for screws that are exposed to the elements. I mean that's what SS was made for. But it would cost them $2 more.

[MickAv8r]

Wash your car more often in the winter to remove the salt. I replaced my screws last month with stainless allen heads, but the factory screws were fine - just oxidized as they just have a zinc coating. Thats after a pretty horrific winter here in New England.