I took my "new" ZHP ('06 330Ci, 66kmiles) to Vermont this weekend. I don't think she's ever been there, living in FL and GA before, according to CarFax.
Sunday morning the temperature dropped to 11 degrees. The car started, but sounded as if only two cylinders were firing at most. It stalled in about 20 seconds. Restarted, it ran, but was shaking, spewing unburned gas (smell), and all in all impersonating a one-cylinder Diesel tractor. I tried to spin it up but wouldn't go over 2000, hovering 1500-2000 regardless of what I was doing. I figured when it warms up it would be ok, so kept trying. I didn't notice the EML light at first. A few minutes into it I did, and by then the temp gauge was well into the blue. I stopped and restarted - it started up and purred as if nothing has happened.

I would very much appreciate any insight you guys may offer-
- what could have been going on? Just the cold or something is really wrong?
- did I make it worse, possibly damage something by running the engine in this state?

thanks
Peter