Sure sounds familiar...!!
This past summer I rented a 'new' C class wagon at the airport and drove about 1/2 hr.
to a relatives house to spend the night. The
next morning used the car for a short trip and looked at the gauge and it said -0-. I
pulled over and shut the ignition off, let it sit for a few seconds, and upon restarting
the car the fuel gauge was OK. It never happened again the rest of vacation or about 3500km. AND this was German fuel. The last time I started it to drive to the rental ofc. the radio wouldn't work and the faceplate said 'code'. Figures!! Where's the quality gone??

TobiasMB
300SE, 300CE, 190/5.0(the reliable one)