Is it just my fuel gauge?

Smudgemanuk

Zorg Legend
British Zeds
Joined
Dec 1, 2024
Points
74
Location
Bicester, Oxford
Model of Z
2.8l TU pre-facelift z3
My fuel gauge seems to have a habit of lying.

After filling it up, I did 80 miles and it still shows full.

Then it drops like normal, and then I went through the last 1/4 of the gauge in about 5 miles

Is this normal? Is it just part of the charm?
 

Pond

Zorg Guru (III)
British Zeds
Joined
Dec 26, 2016
Points
144
Location
Spaldingski, Lincs
Model of Z
3 litre Z3 pretending to be Italian exotica. Two previous E89 Z4s.
My fuel gauge seems to have a habit of lying.

After filling it up, I did 80 miles and it still shows full.

Then it drops like normal, and then I went through the last 1/4 of the gauge in about 5 miles

Is this normal? Is it just part of the charm?
Normal. Analogue fuel gauges are crap. Look on it as a 'guesstimation' at best.

I have an aftermarket fuel gauge in my Z3 now, using the BMW sender. It's even worse than the original!
 

RickyBobby

Zorg Guru (III)
Supporter
The M44 Massive
Joined
May 9, 2020
Points
148
Location
Sheffield, South Yorkshire
Model of Z
Zedless
My fuel gauge seems to have a habit of lying.

After filling it up, I did 80 miles and it still shows full.

Then it drops like normal, and then I went through the last 1/4 of the gauge in about 5 miles

Is this normal? Is it just part of the charm?
Sounds like the one on my Grand Voyager - it seems to take ages to drop after I've filled it up but the last time I did that it cost me over £100 so it doesn't happen that often.
 

Jam03

Zorg Guru (III)
Supporter
British Zeds
Joined
Feb 21, 2022
Points
139
Location
Surrey
Model of Z
2.2i
My fuel gauge seems to have a habit of lying.

After filling it up, I did 80 miles and it still shows full.

Then it drops like normal, and then I went through the last 1/4 of the gauge in about 5 miles

Is this normal? Is it just part of the charm?
They don’t all do that, but it’s not uncommon. You normally need to plan to fill up after about 250 miles give or take a bit depending on how you’re driving.
 
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