2017 A3 - Rear License Plate Screw
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2017 A3 - Rear License Plate Screw
I just received the license plates for my 2017 A3. I installed the front license plate attached w/o issues. Unfortunately, I had issues with the rear license plate. One of the bolts was "stripped". It just spun (and I was unable to re-tighten). I decided to pull it out (with vise grips) as the rear license plate frame was loose. But now what.
I really don't want to go to the dealer. As dealing with them is a huge time sync. And the next appt is 3 weeks out.
Anyone else have this problem? Any ideas how to fix.
As a note, I am not very happy. I regret buying this car (simply at the thought of having to deal with the dealership).
I really don't want to go to the dealer. As dealing with them is a huge time sync. And the next appt is 3 weeks out.
Anyone else have this problem? Any ideas how to fix.
As a note, I am not very happy. I regret buying this car (simply at the thought of having to deal with the dealership).
AudiWorld Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 759
Likes: 6
I just received the license plates for my 2017 A3. I installed the front license plate attached w/o issues. Unfortunately, I had issues with the rear license plate. One of the bolts was "stripped". It just spun (and I was unable to re-tighten). I decided to pull it out (with vise grips) as the rear license plate frame was loose. But now what.
I really don't want to go to the dealer. As dealing with them is a huge time sync. And the next appt is 3 weeks out.
Anyone else have this problem? Any ideas how to fix.
As a note, I am not very happy. I regret buying this car (simply at the thought of having to deal with the dealership).
I really don't want to go to the dealer. As dealing with them is a huge time sync. And the next appt is 3 weeks out.
Anyone else have this problem? Any ideas how to fix.
As a note, I am not very happy. I regret buying this car (simply at the thought of having to deal with the dealership).
https://www.audiworld.com/forums/aud...older-2931200/
AudiWorld Member
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 52
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From: SoCal
Not the same issue as you, but it's related to rear plate ...
On my 2018 RS3, the screws for the rear plate that came with the car are very short. 10mm.
I have a license plate frame that added a few mm and the screw couldn't reach the threads in the plastic holder with thickness of frame + license plate.
For reference, the screws are M6-10mm. Bought some M6-12mm screws from Home depot and the added 2mm were just enough for the screws to get to the threads and screw in.
On my 2018 RS3, the screws for the rear plate that came with the car are very short. 10mm.
I have a license plate frame that added a few mm and the screw couldn't reach the threads in the plastic holder with thickness of frame + license plate.
For reference, the screws are M6-10mm. Bought some M6-12mm screws from Home depot and the added 2mm were just enough for the screws to get to the threads and screw in.
AudiWorld Super User
Joined: May 2005
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Sorry but I gotta ask. Why DID you buy the car from them? This is your first post so there's no history you've presented but it's obvious you're disgusted with this dealer. With respect to your problem with the license plate bracket, I had the same problem with my S3. I took the car to my dealer (fortunately they're close to my home and I've got a good relationship with them) and complained that the bolts holding the license plate frame on the rear were apparently stripped or the related bracket was damaged. The design for this bracket and related bolts is a total POS which I told the dealer. It normally would have cost a pretty penny but they wanted to keep me a happy camper so they replaced the whole thing free of charge. I would have been livid if they tried to charge me for something that was faulty from the start.
Last edited by Timmay; Aug 27, 2017 at 03:56 PM.
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I purchased the car from a dealer that was about an hour drive away. I suppose I didn't think through this too carefully, as I now get to deal with the local dealer (who is 15 mins away). Unless I want to make this trek every time I need to have the car serviced.
The local dealer agreed to replace it for free, but indicated that this usually isn't covered under warranty. Which is why I didn't want to deal with them.
All in all, the problem is solved. Hopefully, I won't have any more issues.
The design for this bracket and related bolts is a total POS which I told the dealer. It normally would have cost a pretty penny but they wanted to keep me a happy camper so they replaced the whole thing free of charge. I would have been livid if they tried to charge me for something that was faulty from the start.
All in all, the problem is solved. Hopefully, I won't have any more issues.
AudiWorld Member
Joined: Jul 2017
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From: Blaine, Wa
I had the opposite problem with my rear plate screws. The dealer put their frame on with a blank insert while I waited for my plates to arrive. When they arrived, I installed them without the dealer frame, and found that the screws bottomed out before tightening down on the plate. I looked for shorter screws but my local hardware store didn't have any, so I put some temporary washers on the screws until I get an Audi Sport frame that I ordered on eBay.
