- Mercedes-Benz W108
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Mercedes-Benz W108 
Manufacturer Mercedes-Benz Production 1965—1972
383,361 built
W108: 364,699
W109: 18,662
(incl. 300 SEL 6.3: 6,526)[1]Assembly Stuttgart, Germany Predecessor Mercedes-Benz W111
Mercedes-Benz W112Successor Mercedes-Benz W116 Class Full-size Luxury car Body style 4-door sedan Engine 2.5L M129 I6
2.8L M130 I6
3.0L M189 I6
3.5L M116 V8
4.5L M117 V8
6.3L M100 V8Related Mercedes-Benz W111
Mercedes-Benz W112
Mercedes-Benz W113Designer Paul Bracq - See Mercedes-Benz S-Class for a complete overview of all S-Class models.
The Mercedes-Benz W108 and W109 were luxury cars built by Mercedes-Benz from 1965 through 1972. The line was an update of the predecessor W111 and W112 fintail sedans. The cars were successful in West Germany and in export markets that included including North America and Southeast Asia. During the seven year production run, a total of 383,361 units were assembled.
Contents
Car Evolution
W108 Mercedes-Benz
The car's predecessor, the Mercedes-Benz W111 (produced 1959-1965) helped Daimler develop greater sales and achieve economy of scale production. Whereas in the 1950s, Mercedes-Benz was producing hand-assembled 300s and 300SLs along with conveyor assembled Pontoons (190, 190SL and 220) etc., the fintail (German: Heckflosse) family united the entire Mercedes-Benz range of vehicles onto one automobile platform, reducing production time and costs. However, the design fashion of the early 1960s changed. For example, the fintails, originally borrowed from North American vehicles of the late 1950s, died out within a few years as a fashion accessory. By the time the 2-door coupe and cabriolet W111s were launched, the fins lost their chrome trim and sharp appearance, the arrival of the W113 Pagoda in 1963 saw them further buried into the trunk's contour, and finally disappeared on the W100 600 in 1964.
The upgrade of the W111 began under the leadership of designer Paul Bracq. Although the fins' departure was the most visible change, the W108 compared to the W111 had a lower body waist line that increased the window area, (the windscreen was 17 percent larger than W111). The cars had a lower ride (a decrease by 60 mm) and wider doors (+15 mm). The result was a visibly new car with a more sleek appearance and an open and spacious interior.
The suspension system featured a reinforced rear axle with hydro-pneumatic compensating spring. The car sat on larger wheels (14”) and had disc brakes on front and rear. The W109 was identical to the W108, but featured an extended wheelbase of 115 mm and self-levelling air suspension. This was seen as a successor to the W112 300SEL that was originally intended as an interim car between the 300 Adenauer(W189) and the 600 (W100) limousines. However, its success as "premium flagship" convinced Daimler to add a LWB car to the model range. From that moment on, all future S-class models would feature a LWB line.
Although the W108 succeeded the W111 as a premium range full-size car, it did not replace it. Production of the W111 continued, however the 230S was now downgraded to the mid-range series, the Mercedes-Benz W110, and marketed as a flagship of that family until their production ceased in 1968.
The Initial Range
W109 300SELThe car was premièred at the Frankfurt Auto Show in 1965. The initial model line-up consisted of three W108s: 250S, 250SE, and 300SE, as well as a sole W109, the 300SEL. Engines for the new car were carried over from the previous generation, but enlarged and refined.
The 250S was the entry-level vehicle fitted with a 2496 cm³ Straight-six M108 engine, with two dual downdraft carburettors, delivering 130 bhp (97 kW) @ 5400 rpm which accelerated the car to 100 km/h in 13 seconds (14 on automatic transmission) and gave a top speed of 182 km/h (177 on auto).
The 250SE featured an identical straight-six, but with a six-plunger fuel injection (designated M129) with performance improved to 150 bhp (110 kW) @ 5500 rpm, which decreased 0-100 acceleration by one second and increased top speed by 11 km/h for both manual and automatic versions.
Both the 300SE and 300SEL came with the M189 2996 cm³ engine, originally developed for the Adenauers. It had a modern six-plunger pump that adjusted automatically to accelerator pedal pressure, engine speed, atmospheric pressure, and cooling water temperature, to deliver the proper mixture depending on driving conditions. Producing 170 bhp (130 kW) @ 5,400 rpm the cars could accelerate to 200 km/h (195 km/h with automatic transmission) and reach 100 km/h in 12 seconds. The cylinder capacity of the three litre Mercedes engine was unchanged since 1951. From 1965 to 1967, fewer than 3,000 W109s were produced. However, approximately 130,000 of the less powerful 250 S/SE models were built during the first two years of the W108/109's existence. By 1967 the fuel consumption of the 3 litre unit in this application was becoming increasingly uncompetitive.
The New Generation
A W108 in France, note the Selective yellow headlights, mandatory for vehicles using French roads until 1993During the winter of 1967/1968 Daimler launched its new generation family of vehicles, called Stroke eight for the model year. The headline was the new W114 and W115 family, built on a new chassis, but the existing models were given an upgrade with a single engine, the 2778 cc M130.
The W108 now included 280S and 280SE, with production starting in November 1967. These replaced the 250S, 250SE and 300SE, however production of export-designated 250S would continue until March 1969. For the W109, the 300SEL finally retired the M189 engine, and received the identical 2.8 M130. In January 1968, the model line was joined by yet another car, the 280SEL. The car had the longer wheelbase of the W109, but lacked the pneumatic suspension and other features of the 300SEL. Hence the chassis code remained W108.
Performance on the cars improved. On the 280S the two downdraft carburettors produced 140 h.p. @ 5200 rpm and could push the car to 185 km/h (180 on auto), whilst 0-100 was done in 12.5 seconds. The fuel-injected delivered 160 hp (120 kW) @ 5500 rpm, and featured a new pump which was not affected by temperature or altitude. Thanks to the air oil filter and better arrangement of cylinders, cooling and hence economy improved. Performance of the 280SE, 280SEL and 300SEL was all but identical, a top speed of 190 km/h (185 on auto) and a 0-100 acceleration in 10.5 seconds for the W108s, the W109 due to its larger weight, took slightly longer, 12.2 seconds.
The 6.3
The 300SEL 6.3Main article: Mercedes-Benz 300SEL 6.3Back in 1964, Mercedes-Benz launched its top-range W100 limousine which featured a dry-sump 6.3 litre V8 engine. However the limited hand-assembly of the limo and its very large price tag limited the spread of the car, whilst the size and weight affected performance. In 1966 company engineer Erich Waxenberger transplanted the big V8 into a standard W109, creating the world's first Q-car.
Despite the large size of the W109, the automaker claimed 0-62 mph (0–100 km/h) time of 6.3 seconds. Full-scale production began in December 1967. Claimed as the fastest production sedan (top speed of 220 km/h), the 300SEL 6.3, held this title for many years. The 6.3 also introduced a new naming scheme, where the model name described the parent model and the engine displacement was separate. This nomenclature was used by Mercedes-Benz until the introduction of the class system in 1993.
Later Models
A late model, with a 3.5 V8 engineThe 300SEL 6.3 was a special model and production of the fuel-thirsty M100 engines was limited. As new new models were being developed the export markets had to be considered, and the United States in particular. The American car production by the late 1960s has largely switched to Big-block V8 powered cars, and Mercedes-Benz had to produce its own eight-cylinder engine to stay competitive.
The new engines arrived in late 1969, and the first was the 3499 cc M116 V8 with Bosch electronic fuel injection, producing 200 h.p, was fitted to the W109, and shown on the Frankfurt Auto Show. The car was christened as the 300SEL 3.5. Its performance included a top speed of 200 km/h and 0-100km/h in 10 seconds. During summer of 1970, the M116 was added to the W108 lineup on both regular and LWB, the 280SE 3.5 and the 280SEL 3.5 respectively.
The next year saw further retirements of the Pontons, the 2-door W111s and the W113 pagoda roadsters were phased out of production. This left the W108 and W109 as the sole survivors of the ageing family. However the arrival of the big-block 4520 cc 225 hp (168 kW) M117 engine allowed for a final set of vehicles to be launched in the spring of 1971, the W108 280SE 4.5 and 280SEL 4.5 and the W109 300SEL 4.5. This, was destined solely for the US market. Performance improved, top speed - 205 km/h, 0-100 - 9.5 seconds.
However as the mainstream V8 models were being introduced, production was already drawing to a close, the straight-six 300SEL was finished in January 1970, and in April 1971 the 280SEL followed. The 280SE 3.5 and 280SEL W108s were retired in summer of 1972. In September the last 300SEL 3.5 and the 6.3 rolled off the conveyors. A month later, the final 300SEL 4.5 ended the W109's output, and in November saw the final models of the W108 280SE and 280SEL 4.5s end a seven-year history.
Legacy
The W108/W109, thanks to its simple yet iconic design, became a timeless classic, and remains a worthy addition to any collectionAlthough many critics described the car as a "fintail without the fintails", the vehicle was an amazing success. Mostly, due its simple and square contours, it is not remembered for its looks, though some argue that it was thanks to such design that the car has such a timeless charm, but instead it was very well known for its reliability and durability, as proof of excellent German engineering. Last, but not least, the car ended nearly a full decade of the Ponton family (1953-1962), thanks to which, Mercedes-Benz went from a ruined post-WWII marque to one of European and World leaders in automotive industry. It was succeeded by the W116, a car which brought a new household name for any car, the S-class.
Improvements
The W108/W109 vehicles carried over many of the basic engineering principles from previous models, but had many refinements to make them some of the most well equipped cars of the era. The 300SE and 300SEL were especially well-appointed, featuring burled walnut dashboards, automatic transmission and power windows. The 300SEL 4.5 featured a sophisticated and advanced 4.5L V8 petrol engine, which was carried over to the W116 S-class and R107 SL roadster, as was the smaller 3.5L unit.
Transmission
The standard transmission for Europe was a four-speed manual gearbox. A four-speed automatic option was also available. Unusual among mainstream European auto-makers of the time, Mercedes developed and built their own automatic transmission system.[2] For the six-cylinder models only, a five-speed manual gearbox was also offered, from 1969, though few customers opted for it.
When the V8-engined cars were introduced in 1970, the default transmission was the four-speed automatic, driven via a fluid flywheel rather than the more usual torque converter. Buyers could still opt for a four-speed manual box, however, and benefitted from a price reduction if they did so. The 4.5 litre version (offered from 1971 but only in the United States), was fitted with a three-speed automatic box with a torque converter. This engine/transmission combination became more widely available when incorporated in the successor model.
Models
W108
Mercedes-Benz 280SE (US)Model Chassis code Production time Number built Engine 250S W108.012 07/65 - 03/69 74.677 2.5 L M108 I6 250SE W108.014 08/65 - 01/68 55.181 2.5 L M129 I6 300SEb W108.015 08/65 - 12/67 2.737 3.0 L M189 I6 280S W108.016 11/67 - 09/72 93.666 2.8 L M130 I6 280SE W108.018 11/67 - 09/72 91.051 2.8 L M130 I6 280SEL W108.019 01/68 - 04/71 8.250 2.8 L M130 I6 280SE 3.5 W108.057 07/70 - 09/72 11.309 3.5 L M116 V8 280SEL 3.5 W108.058 06/70 - 08/72 951 3.5 L M116 V8 280SE 4.5 W108.067 04/71 - 11/72 13.527 4.5 L M117 V8 280SEL 4.5 W108.068 05/71 - 11/72 8.173 4.5 L M117 V8 W109
Model Chassis code Production time Number built Engine 300SEL W109.015 09/65 - 12/67 2.369 3.0 L M189 I6 300SEL W109.016 12/67 - 01/70 2.519 2.8 L M130 I6 300SEL 6.3 W109.018 12/67 - 09/72 6.526 6.3 L M100 V8 300SEL 3.5 W109.056 08/69 - 09/72 9.483 3.5 L M116 V8 300SEL 4.5 W109.057 05/71 - 10/72 2.533 4.5 L M117 V8 Timeline
Type Chassis 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 Sedan W108 250S 250SE 280S 280SE 280SEL 300SEb 280SE 3.5 280SEL 3.5 280SE 4.5 280SEL 4.5 W109 300SEL 300SEL 3.5 300SEL 4.5 300SEL 6.3 Technical info
Technical data Mercedes-Benz W108 [1] (Manufacturer's figures except where stated)Mercedes-Benz 250 S
(W108 II)250 SE
(W108 III)300 SE
(W108 IV)280 S
(W108 V28)280 SE
(W108 E28)280 SEL
(W108 E28)280 SE 3.5 (W108 E35)† Produced: 1965–1969 1965–1968 1965–1967 1968–1972 1968–1971 1971–1972 Units (approx.): 75,000
55,000
2,300
(includes 300 SEL)94,000 91,000 (with 280 SE) 12,000 Engine: 6-cylinder-inline engine (four-stroke), front-mounted 90° 8-cylinder-V engine (four-stroke), front-mounted Bore x Stroke: 82 mm x 78.8 mm 85 mm x 88 mm 86.5 mm x 78.8 mm 92 mm x 65.8 mm Displacement: 2496 cc 2996 cc 2778 cc 3499 cc Max. Power @ rpm: 130 PS (96 kW; 130 hp) @ 5400 150 PS (110 kW; 150 hp) @ 5500 170 PS (130 kW; 170 hp) @ 5400 140 PS (100 kW; 140 hp) @ 4200 160 PS (120 kW; 160 hp) @ 5500 160 PS (120 kW; 160 hp) @ 5500 200 PS (150 kW; 200 hp) @ 5800 Max. Torque @ rpm: 194 N·m (143 lb·ft) @ 4000 216 N·m (159 lb·ft) @ 4200 250 N·m (180 lb·ft) @ 4000 223 N·m (164 lb·ft) @ 3600 240 N·m (180 lb·ft) @ 4250 240 N·m (180 lb·ft) @ 4250 286 N·m (211 lb·ft) @ 4000 Compression Ratio: 9.0: 1 9.5: 1 8.8: 1 9.0: 1 9.5: 1 9.5: 1 9.5: 1 Fuel feed: Two 2-bbl Zenith 35/40 Bosch injection Two 2-bbl Zenith 35/40 Bosch injection Electronic Bosch injection Fuel tank capacity: 82 L (21.7 US gal; 18.0 imp gal) Valvetrain: SOHC, duplex chain Cooling: Water Gearbox: 4-speed manual w/ column or floor shifter or 4-speed automatic
rear wheel drive, standard axle ratio 3.92:1 or 3.69:1 (V8: 3.46:1)Electrical system: 12 volt Front suspension: Double wishbones, coil springs, stabilising bar Rear suspension:: Swing axle, radius arms, coil springs Brakes: Disc brakes (Ø 273 mm front, 279 mm rear), power assisted Steering: Recirculating ball steering, manual or servo-assisted Body structure: Sheet steel, monocoque (unibody) construction Dry weight: 1,470 kg (3,200 lb) 1,510 kg (3,300 lb) 1,575 kg (3,470 lb) 1,520 kg (3,400 lb) 1,560 kg (3,400 lb) 1,575 kg (3,470 lb) 1,610 kg (3,500 lb) Loaded weight: 1,940 kg (4,300 lb) 1,980 kg (4,400 lb) 2,060 kg (4,500 lb) 1,960 kg (4,300 lb) 1,985 kg (4,380 lb) 2,000 kg (4,400 lb) 2,055 kg (4,530 lb) Track front/
rear:1,482 mm (58.3 in) / 1,485 mm (58.5 in) Wheelbase: S/SE: 2,750 mm (108 in)
SEL: 2,850 mm (112 in)Length: S/SE: 4,900 mm (190 in)
SEL: 5,000 mm (200 in)Width: 1,810 mm (71 in) Height: 1,440 mm (57 in) Tyre/Tire sizes: 7.35 H14 or 185 H 14 185 V 14 Top speed: 182 km/h (113 mph) 193 km/h (120 mph) 200 km/h (120 mph) 185 km/h (115 mph) 193 km/h (120 mph) 190 km/h (120 mph) 210 km/h (130 mph) Fuel Consumption (estimate): 15.5 litres per 100 kilometres (18.2 mpg-imp; 15.2 mpg-US) 18.0 litres per 100 kilometres (15.7 mpg-imp; 13.1 mpg-US) 10.5 litres per 100 kilometres (26.9 mpg-imp; 22.4 mpg-US) 11 litres per 100 kilometres (26 mpg-imp; 21 mpg-US) 18.5 litres per 100 kilometres (15.3 mpg-imp; 12.7 mpg-US) Price Germany
USA:DM 15,300
$ 5,747 [3]DM 16,850
$ 6,385DM 21,500
$ 8,048DM 17,000
$ 5,897DM 18,600
$ 6,222DM NA
$ 6,622DM 24,920
$ 10,076Notes: † North American version (280 SE 4.5/280 SE/SEL 4.5: approx 22,000 units) with 4.5 liter V8, 230 hp/278 lbs ft Technical data Mercedes-Benz W109 [1] (Manufacturer's figures except where stated)Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL (W109 III) 300 SEL (W109 E28) 300 SEL 3.5 (W109 E35/1)† 300 SEL 6.3 (W109 E63) Produced: 1965–1967 1968–1970 1969–1972 1968–1972 Units (approx.) (included with 300 SE) 2,500
(includes 300 SE)9,500 6,500 Engine: 6-cylinder-inline engine (four-stroke), front-mounted 90° 8-cylinder-V engine (four-stroke), front-mounted Bore x Stroke: 85 mm x 88 mm 86.5 mm x 78.8 mm 92 mm x 65.8 mm 103 mm x 95 mm Displacement: 2996 cc 2778 cc 3499 cc 6330 cc Max. Power @ rpm: 170 PS (130 kW; 170 hp) @ 5400 170 PS (130 kW; 170 hp) @ 5750 200 PS (150 kW; 200 hp) @ 5800 250 PS (180 kW; 250 hp) @ 4000 Max. Torque @ rpm: 250 N·m (180 lb·ft) @ 4000 240 N·m (180 lb·ft) @ 4500 286 N·m (211 lb·ft) @ 4000 500 N·m (370 lb·ft) @ 2800 Compression Ratio: 8.8: 1 9.5: 1 9.5: 1 9.0: 1 Fuel feed: Bosch injection Electronic Bosch injection Intermittent electronic Bosch injection Fuel tank capacity: 82 L (21.7 US gal; 18.0 imp gal) 105 L (27.7 US gal; 23.1 imp gal) Valvetrain: SOHC, duplex chain Cooling: Water Gearbox: 4-speed manual w/ column or floor shifter or 4-speed automatic
rear wheel drive, standard axle ratio 3.92:1 or 3.69:1 (V8: 3.46:1)4-speed automatic
rear wheel drive, standard axle ratio 2.85:1Electrical system: 12 volt Front suspension: Double wishbones, air springs, rubber springs, stabilising bar Rear suspension:: Swing axle, radius arms, air and additional rubber springs Brakes: Disc brakes (Ø 273 mm front, 279 mm rear), power assisted Steering: Recirculating ball steering, servo-assisted Body structure: Sheet steel, monocoque (unibody) construction Dry weight: 1,655 kg (3,650 lb) 1,695 kg (3,740 lb) 1,730 kg (3,800 lb) 1,830 kg (4,000 lb) Loaded weight: 2,140 kg (4,700 lb) 2,120 kg (4,700 lb) 2,170 kg (4,800 lb) 2,265 kg (4,990 lb) Track front/
rear:1,482 mm (58.3 in) / 1,485 mm (58.5 in) 1,482 mm (58.3 in) / 1,490 mm (59 in) Wheelbase: 2,850 mm (112 in) Length: 5,000 mm (200 in) Width: 1,810 mm (71 in) Height: 1,440 mm (57 in) 1,470 mm (58 in) Tyre/Tire sizes: 185 H 14 185 V 14 195 or 205 VR 14 Top speed: 200 km/h (120 mph) 195 km/h (121 mph) 210 km/h (130 mph) 221 km/h (137 mph) Fuel Consumption (estimate): 18.0 litres per 100 kilometres (15.7 mpg-imp; 13.1 mpg-US) 16.5 litres per 100 kilometres (17.1 mpg-imp; 14.3 mpg-US) 18.5 litres per 100 kilometres (15.3 mpg-imp; 12.7 mpg-US) 21.0 litres per 100 kilometres (13.5 mpg-imp; 11.2 mpg-US) Price Germany
USA:DM 28,600
$ 9,910 [3]DM NA
$ 9,400DM 31,025
$ 11,327DM 39,160
$ 15,122Notes: † North American version (300 SE/SEL 4.5: approx 2,500 units) with 4.5 liter V8, 230 hp/278 lbs ft (MY 1972) Film appearances
A black 280S was stolen by James Bond (Roger Moore) from comrades of General Orlov (Steven Berkoff) in East Germany in the 1983 film Octopussy. When its tyres were punctured by a trap, Bond famously drove the car along a railway track in pursuit of a train carrying Octopussy's circus across the West/East German border (although the scenes were actually filmed in Cambridgeshire, England), and just before reaching the border Bond managed to jump upon the train just before the car collided head-on with another train and was sent flying into a river. [4]
In The Hangover the personages use a 1969 280SE Convertible to go from Los Angeles to Las Vegas and trash the car. Apparently the convertibles in the movie the Hangover were modified coupes. 16 coupes were used in the movie as they were crashed multiple times. The 280 SE coupes and convertibles are actually designated W111 in Mercedes nomenclature.
References
- ^ a b c Oswald, Werner (1. Auflage 2001). Deutsche Autos 1945-1990, Band 4. Stuttgart: Motorbuch Verlag. ISBN 3-613-02131-5.
- ^ "Autocar Road Test: Mecedes-Benz 250 SE". Autocar 126 (nbr 3703): pages 17–23. 2 February 1967.
- ^ a b US prices: Mike Covello: Standard Catalog of Imported Cars 1946-2002, Krause Publication, Iola 2002, ISBN 0-87341-605-8, p. 533-536
- ^ "1968 Mercedes-Benz 280 S [W108 in "Octopussy, 1983""]. IMCDb.org. http://www.imcdb.org/vehicle_2379-Mercedes-Benz-280-S-W108-1968.html. Retrieved 2011-02-01.
External links
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- Vehicles introduced in 1965
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