Seeing videos of this mode is what got me to pull the trigger on ordering one. Thing is, I'm not a great player so it'll probably be a long, long time before I manage to get it.

Try asking Stern directly if they sell individual plastics.

If the lip of the big plastic main ramp is higher than the top of the lifting ramp, yes - it would be best to try to sort the alignment out as it could make the ramp harder to make as well as damaging that plastic edge. This should really be something they check in quality control before sending a game out.

I ordered my Premium about a month ago, I have no idea when it will actually ship. It's actually fully paid up now too. I'll be checking that ramp alignment day 1.

For machines which have come with the mylar/pads on the BG ramp, is the cliffy still advised?

I think post grinding is the way forward, washering the ramp will make it even steeper and harder to hit, you also don't want to affect how it lays on the playfield when down.

A grinder - or if the excess is more than a few mm a small hacksaw would work too, maybe a dremel if you have the right cutting disk. I'd be tempted to buy a replacement and modify that. Of course for $6k+ you shouldn't have to, I'm really surprised looking at the photo that they wouldn't have considered it a check item.

That's a massive improvement! I wonder if it would work on the prem/le too?

Can the ball roll over the screw hole? If so might be worth filling or putting a spot of mylar over.