Click on image to view the full photo gallery
Mercedes-Benz W111 Cabriolet 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)
Cabriolet Overview:
Mercedes-Benz W111 (Cabriolet). With 286 Nm of torque, it offers ample pulling power. With a weight of 1650 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 convertible car with a retractable roof, offering open-air driving experiences. Seating for 5 makes it ideal for daily use.
As a classic vehicle from the 1960s, the Mercedes-Benz W111 Cabriolet predates modern crash testing standards like Euro NCAP. Its safety features are limited to the technology available at the time, focusing on robust construction rather than advanced passive or active safety systems.
280 SE 3.5 V8 (200 Hp) Automatic Verdict:
Performance Verdict
The flagship engine, offering robust 200 Hp and impressive acceleration for its era, making it a true grand tourer. The V8 delivers smooth, effortless power.
Fuel Economy
As expected for a powerful V8 from this period, fuel consumption is the highest in the lineup, reflecting its performance-oriented nature.
Pros and Cons:
Pros:
- • Iconic and elegant 'Fintail' design
- • Luxurious and comfortable interior
- • Exceptional build quality and craftsmanship
- • Smooth and refined ride quality
- • Powerful V8 engine option (3.5 V8)
- • Strong collector appeal and appreciating value
Cons:
- • High fuel consumption, especially for V8 models
- • Lack of modern safety features
- • Maintenance and parts can be expensive for a classic
- • Not as agile or sporty as some contemporaries
- • Potential for rust if not well-maintained
Specifications:
Specifications are compared to those of the previous generation(Cabriolet: August, 1965 - December, 1967).
| General: | |
|---|---|
| Brand: | Mercedes-Benz |
| Model: | W111 |
| Generation: | Cabriolet |
| Modification (Engine): | 280 SE 3.5 V8 (200 Hp) Automatic |
| Start of production: | August, 1969 |
| End of production: | July, 1971 |
| Powertrain Architecture: | Internal Combustion engine |
| Body type: | Cabriolet |
| 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: | 13.5 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: | 8.3 kg/Hp, 121.2 Hp/tonne |
| Weight-to-torque ratio: | 5.8 kg/Nm, 173.3 Nm/tonne |
| Acceleration 0 - 60 mph: | 8.9 sec |
| Space: | |
|---|---|
| Kerb Weight: | 1650 |
| Max. weight: | 2120 |
| Max load: | 470 |
| Trunk (boot) space - minimum: | 530 l |
| Permitted trailer load with brakes (12%): | 1200 kg |
| Fuel tank capacity: | 82 l |
| Permitted trailer load without brakes: | 750 kg |
| Size: | |
|---|---|
| Length: | 4905 mm mm [25mm more] |
| Width: | 1845 mm mm [Same width.] |
| Height: | 1435 mm mm [Same height.] |
| Wheelbase: | 2750 mm mm [Same wheelbase.] |
| Front track: | 1482 mm |
| Rear (Back) track: | 1485 mm |
| Minimum turning circle (turning diameter): | 11.8 m [above average] |
| 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 [above average] |
| Rear brakes | Disc [above average] |
| Steering type | Cone worm with recirculation balls |
| Power steering | Hydraulic Steering |
| Wheel rims size | 6J x 14 |
| Front suspension | Double wishbone |
| Rear suspension | Hydro-pneumatic element, Trailing arm |
Describe your experience with the Mercedes-Benz W111 using only emojis!