If you disconnect a faulty sensor and it drives ok what will later go horribly wrong? is it just the emissions/economy or will it die dramatically?

This is the 2002 1.9JTD, goes into limp mode when MAF is connected.

Well if its anything like my stilo jtd it will be ok till you give it some stick and it will then go into limp mode again.

Think there are a few of these on ebay at the mo.