Z3 Fuel tank size

[Danz3man]

According to the book the fuel tank is 51 L. My fuel gauge was showing completely empty the light having been on quite some time and my OB Computer is showing a range of only 10 miles. However when filling the tank it will only take 42L. Next week I’m embarking on a long road trip so I really need the full 51L capacity. Anybody else experienced this issue ?
thanks in advance

 

[Jack Ratt]

I never trust the OBI. I know my tank hold 51ltrs and I know I get around 30mpg giving a range of around 330 miles. I usually fill up to brim every 250 miles or so, and zero the trip meter. There's no need to get caught out.

I have been keeping records of every single fill up my car has had since I bought it, and I always fill my tank every single time. I never just put a tenner in or "enough for the weekend".

I don't expect anyone else to be as sad as I am but my OCD don't usually let me down

 

[Jack Ratt]

To answer your question though your fuel sender unit may be the problem. It's located on "the wall" behind the driver seat under the carpet.

 

[Bartholomewzman]

That's not a case of OCD Jack, it's actually a very easy way to keep an eye on any car's running as sudden changes due to a fault showing up quickly!

 

[mwpe]

That is normal for a Z3, I always fill mine when the redlight comes on and never get more than about 45 litres even though the fuel needle is right at the lowest point. You can actually drive a very long way with the light on.

 

[Stevo7682]

Handbook says tank capacity 51Ltr

Reserve light comes on with approximately 8ltr left in the tank.

Stephen.

 

[martin stafford]

Carry a 5ltr of fuel containerin just in case your gauge is not acurate

 

[Jam03]

I don’t have an OBC, but my tank to tank consumption over the last 11k miles has been between 24 and 31mpg. I also tend to fill up at around 250miles, but it rarely takes more than 40l to fill again. As an aside, I have in the past kept an accurate log book, but stopped doing it for the family car years ago because I never found a correlation between consumption and the state of repair of the car. With the Z, I have full records which again only seem to show the obvious that long motorway trips return better consumption. I also seem to generally have better consumption in summer, but again, probably just because of fewer longer journeys and cold starts.

 

[Mazza]

If someone wants to send me the money , I will go and fill up my spare tank which is completely empty.. and I can tell you exactly how much it holds ......

 

[Ianmc]

I will go and fill up my spare tank which is completely empty..

Water would be cheaper!!

 

[MisterP007]

Water would be cheaper!!

With water prices at the moment, only just!