2000 X5 stops running while driving and hard start

[ellisx5]

I've been reading around trying to self diagnose the problem but today the problem got worse so I thought I would just post and see if someone could help point me in the right direction.

Our X5 has been hard to start for sometime now. Turns over strong but usually requires several attempts before it actually starts. Sometimes it seemed like leaving the key in turned to ACC seemed to help it start better. This problem is just annoying more than anything.

On a few occassions our car has actually quite working while driving down the road. Like it is no longer getting gas. Happened to me 4 times just today. It has not done it this often before, so this tells me things are just getting worse.

It is not reading any codes and the SES light is not on. I've heard fuel pump, fuel filter, cam shaft position sensor, crank shaft position sensor, and idle control valve all as possible problems. I don't want to nickle and dime it until I get the issue sorted out so any feedback is much appreciated.
Thanks

[MHKitchen]

A failing mass air flow sensor will behave like this. I've had to replace mine twice in 160K miles. It's VERY easy to replace and only takes about 15 minutes.

[MHKitchen]

Oh, and I should add that one time it set a code for the MAF sensor, but another time it didn't set any codes, but replacing it fixed the problem.

[dave the viking]

try the crank sensor. it may not send out a code. I had this problem with my ML benz befor.