How much power does the average E30 lose

[Fushion_Julz]

My old 325i made 174bhp at the flywheel (151bhp at the rear wheels) as a completely standard engine with Magnex SS exhaust and 160K miles on the clock.

A Chipped UK chip showed an increase to 160bhp at the wheels and 189bhp at the flywheel

[mcbonio]

I think it depends on what condition the engine is in, my 325i cab (171bhp) went up against my brothers e46 320i 2.2 which has 168bhp and they were neck and neck all the way.

My engine had all the ignition system overhauled and had around 108k miles on the clock and was in good condition.

[harry_p]

the previous owner of my m3 had it rolling roaded soon after he bought it.

it made 169bhp.

new plugs / leads / cap, ditching the induction kit for a standard airbox with panel filter, throttle balance and an exhaust swap from a scorpion to a supersprint with proper x-pipe saw it make 204bhp on a very reputable rolling road.

bang on the money for a 195bhp m3 with the cats removed, and proof that there's no reason why a properly looked after engine can't produce virtually all of it's original power some 15-20 years later.

[verde]

Wow thats some real results, shows you the correct airflow and maintainance is the one!

[Cotty]

The average does seem to be around 150hp, however a good service and a bit of the correct repair/maintenance and it will be back to the 165hp mark. .

Ant looked after mine for years and hit 165hp on Surry Rolling Road. I then fitted a mild Zone chip but have not had it back on the rolling road to see what it made.