My car died on me couple days ago, had to get it towed.
The car would start up fine, but would die right away. If i start it up and give it gas, the car would still die while giving it gas.
I am able to start it up, quickly put it in drive or reverse, and go for about 3-5 seconds before it shutoff on me and goes into neutral mode.
I have 1/2 tank of gas, its a 08 535i. No check engine light or codes thrown, i tried using the carly obd reader.

 

Did you do anything to the car just prior to the problem occurring?

 

Nope. Was driving, heard a bang and a min later car stalled at a red light.

 

What do you mean "shut off"? After the engine died, you had no dash lights, no radio, etc?

OR everything worked correctly other than the engine stopped running?

Can you do the 5 sec test over and over?
OR once it stops running, it won't start again for a while?

 

When i mean shut off, the engine dies but radio, lights and everything still runs.
After it dies i can turn it on and drive for 5 sec, and keep repeating

 

It sounds like your air intake sensor that is just after your air filter

It happened to me exactly as you have mentioned

 

The MAF sensor?

i pulled it out and try cleaning with brake cleaner. No changes

 

Yes the MAF sensor

Do you have a friend with a
BMW that you can try his?

 

Will it run with the MAF disconnected?

 

No it does the same even when i disconnect the MAF sensor