330 ci maxxing at 30mph

[lmc]

Oh my god, what a time for my baby to be playing up, I've got to work Monday -Thursday this coming week (as if that's not bad enough).
Yesterday I was idling at roadworks and the engine started spluttering. All was well when I blipped the throttle and it never missed a beat again.
This afternoon I went to pick up the missus from work and it spluttered all the way there, about 3 miles. I waited for her for about 5 minutes and the engine ticked over fine (by this time the engine is fully warm).
As soon as I drove off it was kangarooing like a mo-fo, sounding like it was only on about 2 or 3 cylinders, loads of vibrations, it was dreadful. I took it up to 30mph but to be honest I thought even that was pushing it because the engine sounded so terminal I was scared it was going to blow.
When nearly home I had to stop at a junction and it cut out alltogether, but started up first turn again, but back to same jugga-jugga nightmare.
My question is guys: does it sound like the most likely cause is the fuel pump (has it got a fuel pump) or fuel filter or something easily sorted ?
I'm not going to be able to get it fixed before the holidays, I'll have to arrange alternative means of getting to work, but if I know I'm not heading for a post xmas bankrupcy garage bill that might just keep my head out of the oven
Les

[MitchT]

I had similar symptoms on my 318is... twice.

First time the symptoms were exacty like yours – It was a camshaft sensor which $tealer fixed under warranty.

Second time it Initially conked-out after five minutes of driving and then alternated between refusing to start or starting and then cutting out when I tried to set off. After a few more minutes sat with the engine running it cleared up and hasn't been a problem since. A chat with some other E36 owners suggested that it was the result of damp caused by my car having been sat unused for several days in cold rainy weather.

[jay123]

sounds like a misfire and cause is probs coil pack(s) or dodgy spark plugs, reasonably simple job.

are there any warning lights on the dash??

[lmc]

Yeah Jay, but I've had it on for ages - the emmissions light. I've had it checked twice and been told no fault was found. The damn thing comes on, stays on for a few weeks (I believe it does a self analysis thing every 8 cycles, whatever that means), and then sometimes goes out. Until that is, you stick some petrol in it, and then it comes back on again. Doesn't matter whether its BP ultimate, Optimax or any old sh!te, it does it.
So, no there's no new warning light coming on.
I don't suspect its anything hugely serious, but the timing couldn't have been worse for me. I managed to borrow a mate's sh!tter - a L reg diesel mondeo with 140k on the clock, oh joy !!!

Thanks for your replies guys,
Les