Mercedes-Benz W108

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1968 W108 300SE Coupe

1971 W108 280S

The Mercedes-Benz W108/W109 model series was a large luxury car line built by Mercedes-Benz from 1965 through 1972.

Models:

W108
* 1965-1969 250S
* 1965-1968 250SE
* 1965-1967 300SEb
* 1967-1972 280S
* 1967-1972 280SE
* 1968-1971 280SEL
* 1970-1972 280SE 3.5
* 1970-1972 280SEL 3.5
* 1971-1972 280SE 4.5
* 1971-1972 280SEL 4.5
W109
* 1965-1970 300SEL
* 1967-1972 300SEL 6.3
* 1969-1972 300SEL 3.5
* 1971-1972 300SEL 4.5

Overview

The W108/W109 was a replacement for the higher end of the "Fintail" sedan range, with three-box styling similar to the W111/W112 coupes. The somewhat controversial fins of the so-called earlier Heckflosse were eliminated by designer Paul Bracq. The initial lineup was:

W108 (Short-wheelbase, coil-sprung suspension)

250S
250SE
300SE

W109 (Long-wheelbase, self-levelling air suspension)

300SEL

The new S-Class carried over much 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 burl walnut dashboards, automatic transmission, and power windows.

In 1967, the 250S and 250SE were replaced by the 280S and 280SE. The 300SE was deleted and the 300SEL received the 280's new 2.8-litre engine. The Mercedes-Benz 300SEL 6.3 was also introduced, featuring the 600's 6.3-litre engine in a smaller, lighter body than the 600. Later, a 3.5-litre V8 would be available in both W108 and W109 series. It is worthy to note that 1973 was the last year of hand-built Mercedes-Benz cars.

Competitors

Initially the main competition within Europe for these cars, in terms of size, market position and luxury appointments were:

BMW would not return to this section of the market until the E3 sedans were launched in 1968.

External links

[W108/W109 Model Series]

		Mercedes-Benz road car timeline, 1946-1970s [ edit]																														[[Template:Mercedes-Benz vehicles\|later-->]]
Class	Type	1940s				1950s										1960s										1970s
		6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9
4-cylinder	sedan	W136/W191							W120/W121								W110								W115
	roadster										W121
6-cylinder	sedan						W187			W105/W180/W128							W111								W114								W123
	coupe						W187					W180/W128
large	sedan						W186/W189								W111				W108/W109							W116
	luxury							W188									W112
	limousine						W186/W189										W112				W100 (600)
sports	roadster									W198										W113									R107

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