Difference in baseplates (height, material, mold)

[Cyberfounder]

Some time ago LEGO updated the packaging of the baseplates. At first people thought baseplates were going to be discontinued, as they were out of stock in most places. Because of this LEGO made a statement that baseplates would soon return, the only difference being the packaging. I bought dozen of baseplates in the past, as I build a lot of moc's, and recently I was in need of some more. So I went over to the shop and bought some new baseplates. However, after I removed them from their packaging I noticed these baseplates were different.

First I thought I bought fakes or production error's, but I went over to the LEGO store and bought some more that show the same difference. I don't mind if they update or make change to their products, however a problem has occurred. I will make it more clear with some picture and a video I made. It's been a while since I bought some baseplates (maybe 2017), but to me it seems LEGO didn't only change the packaging, but they slipped in a new mold using less material. Unless they already changed it before.

Here you can see the backside is already very different
Pic1

These plates also seem to be made of e different less strong material, I hadn't even gotten home and one of them was already bent.
Pic2

My biggest problem however is that there is a difference in height. The difference is very small, but enough that I can't connect a wall that is build over one of my old baseplates and connected to the new with the wall cracking over night. You can see the upper baseplate drops lower than the bottom baseplate. 
 

 

Edited September 12, 2024 by Cyberfounder

[Alexandrina]

Obviously it sucks if you can't use the baseplates properly but is it possible this is a one-off/batch error rather than a change in the baseplates in general? I've only bought one baseplate since the new undersides were introduced, but I can't say mine was noticeably different from the old ones. It could be that the one you bought was accidentally imperfect - which, again, is far from ideal, but it's less malicious than Lego changing baseplates. I'm thinking here that it's not the first time Lego have reissued the baseplate packs with different numbers, and they didn't change the fundamentals of the part in the past.

[Cyberfounder]

I bought multiple and they all have the same issue. I'm sure it's not intentional or something. I just find it weird considering that they made it very clear the only change would be the packaging. My previous baseplates are from a long time ago. I think I bought one in 2017, but my other baseplates are from the 90's I think. 

 

[SpacePolice89]

I bought a brand new baseplate with the new striped pattern underneath in the corner a couple of days ago. It is exactly the same height as my old ones. The one I compared with is from the late 80s or early 90s. The packaging of my new baseplate says "Made in Austria" and I believe that the old ones were also made there. In what region do you live and are your baseplates also made in Austria? 

Edited October 22, 2024 by SpacePolice89