In this case it's less that I prefer them that way and more that that's the order in which they were published.

Earlier in the series, it's more that I prefer them that way. If I'd had to start with The Magician's Nephew and not get to Dawn Treader until fifth, I'm not sure I would have stuck with it. In publication order, for me, the series peaks in the middle--which is often how I think of series, actually. Empire Strikes Back is best and so on.