Click on image to view the full photo gallery
Mercedes-Benz W111 Coupe 280 SE 3.5 V8 (200 Hp) Automatic
Overall Rating
Mercedes-Benz W111:
The Mercedes-Benz W111 is a line of full-sized luxury cars produced by Mercedes-Benz between 1959 and 1971, including four-door saloons and two-door coupés and cabriolets. The saloons’ bodywork featured distinctive pointed tailfins that gave the models their Heckflosse nickname — German for "fintail".
Introduced with a 2. 2-litre inline 6-cylinder engine, the W111 spawned a pair of bracketing variants in 1961: downscale entry-level inline 4-cylinder engined vehicles sharing the W111 chassis and bodies, designated the W110; and the high-end W112, a luxury saloon built on the W111 chassis with its body but exclusive features, elaborate appointments, and the Mercedes-Benz 300d Adenauer's fuel-injected 3-litre "big block" M189 six-cylinder engine – at the time the company's largest....(Read more on Wikipedia)
Coupe Overview:
Mercedes-Benz W111 (Coupe). With 286 Nm of torque, it offers ample pulling power. With a weight of 1570 kg, it falls in the mid‑range. Rear‑wheel drive offers dynamic handling and sporty feedback. Acceleration is relatively slow (0–100 km/h in 9.4 s). The top speed reaches 205 km/h. A two-door car with a fixed roof, known for its sporty design and dynamic performance. Seating for 5 makes it ideal for daily use.
The Mercedes-Benz W111 Coupe predates modern crash testing standards like Euro NCAP. While built with robust materials for its era, it lacks contemporary safety features such as airbags, ABS, or advanced driver-assistance systems.
280 SE 3.5 V8 (200 Hp) Automatic Verdict:
Performance Verdict
Exceptional power and smooth, effortless acceleration for its era, making it a true grand tourer capable of high-speed cruising.
Fuel Economy
High fuel consumption is expected for a large V8 from this period, making it less economical but justifiable for its performance.
Pros and Cons:
Pros:
- • Timeless, elegant styling and classic design appeal
- • Excellent build quality and robust engineering for its era
- • High levels of comfort and a smooth ride, ideal for touring
- • Powerful V8 engine option offers impressive performance
- • Strong investment potential as a desirable classic car
- • Luxurious interior with quality materials
Cons:
- • High fuel consumption, especially with the larger engines
- • Lack of modern safety features (e.g., airbags, ABS)
- • Maintenance and parts can be expensive due to its classic status
- • Performance of smaller engines can feel dated compared to modern cars
- • Potential for rust if not properly maintained
Specifications:
Specifications are compared to those of the previous generation(Cabriolet: November, 1967 - May, 1971).
| General: | |
|---|---|
| Brand: | Mercedes-Benz |
| Model: | W111 |
| Generation: | Coupe |
| Modification (Engine): | 280 SE 3.5 V8 (200 Hp) Automatic |
| Start of production: | November, 1969 |
| End of production: | July, 1971 |
| Powertrain Architecture: | Internal Combustion engine |
| Body type: | Coupe |
| Seats: | 5 |
| Doors: | 2 |
| Engine: | |
|---|---|
| Power: | 200 Hp @ 5800 rpm. Same horsepower |
| Power per litre: | 57.2 Hp/l [25mm more] |
| Torque: | 286 Nm @ 4000 rpm. |
| Engine Model/Code: | M 116 E 35 / 116.980 More details about the engine M 116 E 35 / 116.980 |
| Engine displacement: | 3499 |
| Number of cylinders: | 8 |
| Engine configuration: | V-engine |
| Number of valves per cylinder: | 2 |
| Fuel injection system: | Multi-port manifold injection |
| Engine aspiration: | Naturally aspirated engine |
| Valvetrain: | SOHC |
| Engine layout: | Front, Longitudinal |
| Cylinder Bore: | 92 mm mm |
| Piston Stroke: | 65.8 mm mm |
| Compression ratio: | 9.5:1 |
| Performance: | |
|---|---|
| Fuel Type: | Petrol (Gasoline) |
| Fuel consumption (economy) - combined: | 13 l/100 km |
| Acceleration 0 - 100 km/h: | 9.4 sec |
| Acceleration 0 - 62 mph: | 9.4 sec |
| Maximum speed: | 205 km/h |
| Weight-to-power ratio: | 7.9 kg/Hp, 127.4 Hp/tonne |
| Weight-to-torque ratio: | 5.5 kg/Nm, 182.2 Nm/tonne |
| Acceleration 0 - 60 mph: | 8.9 sec |
| Space: | |
|---|---|
| Kerb Weight: | 1570 |
| Max. weight: | 2040 |
| Max load: | 470 |
| Fuel tank capacity: | 82 l |
| Size: | |
|---|---|
| Length: | 4905 mm mm [25mm more] |
| Width: | 1845 mm mm [Same width.] |
| Height: | 1410 mm mm [25mm less] |
| Wheelbase: | 2750 mm mm [Same wheelbase.] |
| Front track: | 1482 mm |
| Rear (Back) track: | 1485 mm |
| Powertrain: | |
|---|---|
| Drivetrain Architecture | The Internal combustion engine (ICE) drives the rear wheels of the vehicle. |
| Drive wheel | Rear wheel drive |
| Number of gears | 4 |
| Transmission type | Automatic |
| Front brakes | Disc |
| Rear brakes | Disc |
| Steering type | Cone worm with recirculation balls |
| Power steering | Hydraulic Steering |
| Wheel rims size | 6J x 14 |
| Front suspension | Double wishbone, Transverse stabilizer |
| Rear suspension | Hydro-pneumatic element, Trailing arm |
Fuel, speed, and comfort: How does the Mercedes-Benz W111 rank in your book?