Fuel range = zero. Fuel still available

[TunedM2C]

I always drive with a quarter tank because the lighter the car, the better the performance.

[ozinaldo]

Originally Posted by Mr.Metak2you

I like to do new car test drives with the salesperson and low fuel and see how far below the 'E' we can go!!!!

That is exactly what happens in one of my favourite Seinfeld episodes, the one Kramer just convinces a car salesperson to do that and hillarious things happen! I would love to do that as well

This gas tank capacity reminds me the 3 (almost) impossible to fix technical weaknesses of the 1M:

1) The gas tank is small for a journey or for track, whatever, a car which can consume this much should have at least slightly bigger tank, 53l. capacity tank is identical with my wife's new Skoda Yeti 1.2 TSI which consumes like half of the 1M, also last year's Ford Fiesta 1.4 had a 50 l. tank!

2) The turning circle is way too big for a car this size (approx. 11.5m.). I always notice it in closed garages for example.

3) And the aerodynamics (O.37 Cx) is really a reminder of the E30 M3

[ozinaldo]

If HPFP issues had something to do with the fuel quality (I don't really know much about that, since this is my first FI BMW) then maybe it is not entirely bs. After all, the last drops of the gas that you use from the bottom of the tank probably is the dirtier one. I can be wrong but that is what I heard from technicians lots of times which keep on advising not leaving the car, any car with let's say less than 1/5th of the tank capacity in a regular basis. Also depends on where the car is located and what is the quality of the gas in that market. Some countries there is no escaping from dirty gas and you better change the fuel filter as often as possible.

[BrokenVert]

To address the fuel tank size concerns. Remember, this tank was originally designed for a 4 cylinder hatchback...thats why its so small. They never bothered to redesign it.

[mrow]

I never go below a quarter tank unless I can't fill up for some reason.

[Artemis]

Originally Posted by BrokenVert

To address the fuel tank size concerns. Remember, this tank was originally designed for a 4 cylinder hatchback...thats why its so small. They never bothered to redesign it.

Same story with the E60 M5: 70 liter is way too small for such a thirsty engine (the E34 M5 had a bigger fuel tank). Get back home with the M5 from the fuel station in the near vicinity, and you'll notice that the fuel tank needle already moved left of the max fuel stripe. Limited range is one of the very few weaknesses of that excellent car. Was too much of a hassle for BMW to redesign the fuel tank for the E60 M5. Partially resolved with the F10 M5: 80 liter fuel tank and less fuel consumption.

But, all in all, still not as bad as the Ford GT: Jeremy Clarkson experienced for Top Gear ...4mpg with that one (range: 75 miles per fuel tank [17.5 gallons or 66 liter]).

[///BYU]

Originally Posted by Dan Parker

But you will never compete in the gas game if you think 50% is low.
Stalling while rolling up to the pump = win!

Originally Posted by Mr.Metak2you

I like to do new car test drives with the salesperson and low fuel and see how far below the 'E' we can go!!!!

Thanks for the laugh.

[Dackelone]

As far as distance you can travel when the low fuel light comes on... I seem to recall that the BC uses an average of how the car was driving in the last 60 kms prior to the light coming on... ie: if you were talking it easy... it will calculate more kms... if you were really going WOT or driving hard... the estimated distance will be shorter/fewer kms.

The tank holds 53 liters but the low fuel light comes on at 8 liters left in the tank.

[BMW86]

I usually let my tank run empty before every fill.

I cover a lot of distance so if I filled up any sooner I would be filling up every second day.

Also you throw some codes if the tank runs too low. It's happened to me a couple of times.

[Harlequin]

Letting the fuel get below about 1/8th is bad as you start letting any particulates in the tank through into the system... I know this is what the fuel filter is for but it doesn't protect the entire system - just the engine itself. HPFP anyone?

Considering these cars already have a temperamental fuel system I'd avoid running on fumes at all costs if possible...

[Sylon]

I was in my friend's VW Golf diesel, he was brave enough to go 70 miles beyond the "0 miles to go" limit before filling up. That was with 4 people in the car.


Try watching the long-range drive tests on Top Gear, you would be surprised how far you can get after the mileage to empty reads 0.

[bozola]

The manual says to fill up when the light goes out at the risk of damaging the engine.

[Juiced1M]

unhealthy to run that low you usually have about 2 gallons left.

[M3 Adjuster]

Originally Posted by Dan Parker

But you will never compete in the gas game if you think 50% is low.
Stalling while rolling up to the pump = win!

LOL

[BrokenVert]

Originally Posted by Dan Parker

But you will never compete in the gas game if you think 50% is low.
Stalling while rolling up to the pump = win!

Pffft, please. Running out of fuel 2 miles before the gas pump and making it regardless is how you win.

Downhill running FTW

[Dan Parker]

I'm going to check the gas game rule book about this one. 2 miles is a long way to roll downhill and I seem to remember mention of running out vs. truly running out. It's a big book so I'll get back to you ASAP. Stay thirsty my friends.

[Artemis]

Originally Posted by BrokenVert

Pffft, please. Running out of fuel 2 miles before the gas pump and making it regardless is how you win.
Downhill running FTW

When on a slope you don't know for sure whether you really sqeezed the last juice out of the fuel tank. Different story on a flat surface: gotta shake or wiggle the car a bit.

[1SerieStud]

Though less gas means lighter/quicker, I was experiencing some major traction issues slightly under a quarter tank yesterday during some spirited driving. This thing needs the gas to help it plant down lol

[1SerieStud]

Originally Posted by Artemis

When on a slope you don't know for sure whether you really sqeezed the last juice out of the fuel tank. Different story on a flat surface: gotta shake or wiggle the car a bit.

Hilarious! I read somewhere that these things can burn through a full tank, WOT/full speed in about 8-9 minutes or something crazy like that...W16 is no joke!

[Dan Parker]

I had my people read the fine print in the supplemental rulebook for The Gas Game and basically if you have to get out of the car, get a push, or call for help you have lost the game. If the car sputters but restarts and you make it to the pump you get extra points but rolling to the pump with momentum nets you bonus points which you can redeem on facebook with huge e-cred.

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by Artemis

...But, all in all, still not as bad as the Ford GT: Jeremy Clarkson experienced for Top Gear ...4mpg with that one (range: 75 miles per fuel tank [17.5 gallons or 66 liter]).

Didn't the "Hampster" say that Jeremy had Ford buy back his GT bc it would not start for him and that his local dealer had(drove) the GT more than Jeremy did! lol