Q&A

 Master

If the car was driving fine sputtered and then stopped it sounds like it may be fuel related, fuel pump failure or something that shut down power to the fuel pump. An engine needs three things to run mechanical integrity, fuel to burn and spark to burn the fuel. Everything has to work in harmony and synchronicity with each other. Its foolish for me to guess but I hope its something simple.

 Rookie

I have a 2000 323ci.... It could also be the Cam Intake Position sensor. Sounds very very very similar to what happened to mine. I'd venture to guess you are around 60-80k miles on your car? I assumed it was fuel related as that made the most sense so I called a good friend of mine (who to my good fortune just happens to be the single most knowledgeable mechanic and owner of an import auto repair shop.) i told him it revved funny.... and kinda felt like the car was tugging and lagging when i drove... he told me the cam sensor... I was very doubtful as it was a 20 second conversation... he told me that that if he was wrong he'd fix it for free. Based upon this I figure its a pretty common problem. google it. sensor is 70 bucks and easy to replace if you have tools and minimal mechanical aptitude. e46 forum has a great diy, however id suggest getting the fault codes checked first.. use craigslist to find someone to do it cheap.