Mercedes-Benz W188 II Roadster 300 Sc (175 Hp)


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Mercedes-Benz W188:

The Mercedes-Benz W188 was a two-door luxury sports tourer produced by Mercedes-Benz between 1951 and 1958. The company's most expensive and exclusive automobile, the elegant, hand-built two-door 300 S and its successor 300 Sc were the pinnacle of the Mercedes line of their era.
The pair's conservative styling belied their technological advances, sharing numerous design innovations and mechanical components with the iconic Mercedes-Benz 300 SL "Gullwing", including engine, suspension, and chassis....(Read more on Wikipedia)

II Roadster Overview:

Mercedes-Benz W188 (II Roadster). With 255 Nm of torque, it offers ample pulling power. With a weight of 1780 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 14 s). The top speed reaches 180 km/h. A two-seater convertible designed for open-top driving pleasure. Seating for 4 makes it ideal for daily use.

300 Sc (175 Hp) Verdict:

Rating 8 stars

Performance Verdict

The 175 Hp M 199 inline-six engine provided strong, smooth performance for a luxury roadster of the mid-1950s, enabling a top speed of 180 km/h and respectable acceleration.

Fuel Economy

Fuel consumption of 12.5 l/100 km was typical for a large-displacement, high-performance engine of its era, though high by modern standards.

Best Use Case: Long-distance touring, leisurely cruises, classic car rallies.

Pros and Cons:

Pros:

  • • Timeless, elegant design and exquisite craftsmanship.
  • • Luxurious and comfortable interior for its era.
  • • Strong and refined inline-six engine (M 199).
  • • Significant historical and collector's value.
  • • Smooth ride quality suitable for grand touring.

Cons:

  • • Very high acquisition and maintenance costs.
  • • Limited availability of original parts.
  • • Fuel economy is poor by modern standards.
  • • Lacks modern safety features and driver aids.
  • • Performance, while good for its time, is modest compared to modern vehicles.

Specifications:

General:
Brand:Mercedes-Benz
Model:W188
Generation:II Roadster
Modification (Engine):300 Sc (175 Hp)
Start of production:January, 1956
End of production:February, 1958
Powertrain Architecture:Internal Combustion engine
Body type:Roadster
Seats:4
Doors:2
Engine:
Power:175 Hp @ 5400 rpm.
Power per litre:58.4 Hp/l
Torque:255 Nm @ 4300 rpm.
Engine Model/Code:M 199 / 199.980
Engine displacement:2996
Number of cylinders:6
Engine configuration:Inline
Number of valves per cylinder:2
Fuel injection system:Direct injection
Engine aspiration:Naturally aspirated engine
Valvetrain:SOHC
Engine layout:Front, Longitudinal
Cylinder Bore:85 mm mm
Piston Stroke:88 mm mm
Compression ratio:8.55:1
Performance:
Fuel Type:Petrol (Gasoline)
Fuel consumption (economy) - combined:12.5 l/100 km
Acceleration 0 - 100 km/h:14 sec
Acceleration 0 - 62 mph:14 sec
Maximum speed:180 km/h
Weight-to-power ratio:10.2 kg/Hp, 98.3 Hp/tonne
Weight-to-torque ratio:7 kg/Nm, 143.3 Nm/tonne
Acceleration 0 - 60 mph:13.3 sec
Space:
Kerb Weight:1780
Max. weight:2040
Max load:260
Fuel tank capacity:85 l
Size:
Length:4700 mm mm
Width:1916 mm mm
Height:1510 mm mm
Wheelbase:2900 mm mm
Front track:1480 mm
Rear (Back) track:1525 mm
Powertrain:
Drivetrain ArchitectureThe Internal combustion engine (ICE) drives the rear wheels of the vehicle.
Drive wheelRear wheel drive
Number of gears4
Transmission typeManual
Front brakesDrum
Rear brakesDrum
Steering typeCone worm with recirculation balls
Front suspensionDouble wishbone, Transverse stabilizer
Rear suspensionTrailing arm

The hidden gems or the annoying flaws? Expose the truth about the Mercedes-Benz W188!