BMW 323Ci question?

Question

Why is the model number 323 when it have a 2.5 L engine?

Answer 1

Marketing.

The big engine for the regular 3 series was the 2.8L engine. The 328 cars. If they had named the 2.5L cars a 325, that would have made it too close to the 328. You'd have to choose btw a 325 and a 328. The previous 325 had moved up to become the 328.

It would have caused confusion as well as made the new 328 look less attractive.

Once BMW came out with the 3.0L engine and created the 330, they renamed the 323 to the "proper" 325 cuz then there was a good enough gap in numbers btw the two engines. 325 and 330 looks far enough apart.

Answer 2

BMW sold the 320 (E36 and E46) with a 2.0L engine in Europe.

BMW had the 318 and 320 (E30) in the US back in the late 80's. BMW also sold the 325 (E30) with the 2.5 L engine.

When the E36's appeared, BMW kept the 318 and the 325 but dropped the 320. The 325 was replaced by the 328 when the 2.8 L engine debuted.

When the E46's arrived, BMW replaced the 318 with the 323 at least for a year or two in sedan, coupe and convertible form. The 328 also stayed but that changed when the 330 was introduced. The 323 became the 325.

Marketing could be one explanation because the 318 was a cheap luxury sports sedan that competed against the Audi A4 and the Mercedes C Class. When Audi went to 2.0 L turbo engines instead of 1.8 L turbos, BMW upped the numbers as a response.