I've got a 523i which is in fact a 2.5 litre. I've been told that its electronically detuned to the percieved performance of a 2.3. Anyone know any details and is it easy to chip to get back whats rightfully mine ;)

The 23 engine was so named to differentiate it from the previous 25 engine which was more powerful, but the 23 was ally instead of iron.

I had a 323 and a 523 and they were a bitch to get any worthwhile increase, save your money and get a 528 or 530.

Cheers,

Phil

call me cynical, but the 'misnomer' of the badge not matching the actual engine size is purely marketing...

Started some years ago when they’re old 316i, series were being burnt up by 1.6 Sierra’s and cavalier's, so they stuck a 1.8 lump in but kept the 316i badge.

Mercs now doing it as well with their C180 which actually has a 2ltr in it. New 520i has a 2.2ltr, etc etc
Bit sad really, as who do they think they are foolling...

mashwrx,

they aren't trying to fool anyone.

The number on the back of beemers is not the engine capacity but the sequence in which the model appears in the range.

It used to be the engine size but things have changed. A debadged one doesn't mean it has no engine! :)

sorry, but I stick to my 'cynical' version of things!! having owned most of the beemers from 735's to 316's over the last 20 years, the insignia represent's the series number and 'capacity' of the engine. It is interesting to note that they have not played this game with any of the 7-series or 540/535 range, only the bottom end of the range eg, company car sector.

Why dont they badge the new 520i as 522i to differentiate the new model....Pure marketing....!

A debadged one simply shout's 'I had to have the entry level model'..........

Mine is Debadged as its company Policy, don't know why.

I think youll find that the 540 and 740 both have 4.4 litre engines in them!
Pete.

I give up, so they are! the 7's now got a 744 badge but the 540(4.4 engine) still got a 540 badge...what's the world coming to...would'nt mind a 540 if I had the dosh though...

CAMK
there are some companies that do motronic chip upgrades, not sure what the gains are..check out http://www.bmwtoys.com for example..

thought the new 7 was the 745 not 744.