Reposting, as I think I posted in wrong forum:
09 Mini Cooper S R56
I am going to try to keep this as short as possible and in the correct order of steps. I'm at a loss for next step diagnosisng and any help/direction would be VERY MUCH APPRECIATED!

It all started with a hard cold start. Sometimes would have to start several times to stay running. After a week, went I to limp mode.
We replaced the HPFP, cleared codes for fuel pressure and misfire. Road tested and check engine, same codes, and limp mode came back. So we added Sea Foam fuel injector cleaner. But no change.
We went back to the drawing board and thought it was the MAF sensor, as the hard start went away when unplugged. Replaced and no change. Still in limp mode, same codes.
Reached the fuel system relay at kick panel. As that was easy, cheap, and worth a shot, but still no change.
Next we changed the fuel filter. After replacing, the car would not start at all. We could hear the fuel pump so we decided to look further.
I want to say this was when we replaced the CMP sensor, but not certain. Weve done so much diagnosing, my time line is a little jumbled, and dont remember what lead us to that decision. After that the check engine and codes went away, but car would still crank, but no start.
We then went back to fuel filter to double check our work, as that was when the car stopped starting. We found the filter housing was not priming.
At this point we decided to replace the LPFP. Now the fuel pump was much louder! But when it came time to prime, we had killed the battery. So we replaced it (it was time anyways, and was starting to bulge very slightly).
The fuel filter housing was now priming, but would not get to the fuel line, so we thought vapor lock. We added starter fluid and the car would then start but quickly die after burning off. We eventually got fuel to the fuel rail. But still no start.
The codes were now for fuel circuit 1&2 fault. We checked relays and replaced one in under hood fuse panel but still no change. Codes are now gone but still no start without starter fluid.
We just replaced the CKP sensor and again no change.
I know there were many steps and diagnosing that went into each decision but there have been so many it's too much and too jumbled to post. Any ideas????