Noticed this during the winter and it happened today. I start up fine, but it feels "rough" even thought the rpms seem fine. Get abit of the ole shake and choking.
Its periodic and not often thankfully.

Ok I've had my fill of TSB issues with my Max over the years.
Coils were all replaced, engine mounts, brake judder/rotor issue.

My starter is probably on the fritz...as I have the whirring noise when it doesn't fire up properly.

Any ideas...is this possibly the MAF starting to go or something else sinister about to hit me?

 

I think that you either have bad gasoline, or you need more octane (try getting plus or premium and see if there is a difference). The shaking and choking could be that there is not enough octane burning in the engine.

 

Thought about that fuel thing too. I just refueled with Sunoco. However just now rather it went rattling like something was loose. Find out more in the morning when I drive to work.