[JAV]

Hello, I am looking to some day buy a car of this body style. I do not know much about it, other than the 250 has six cylinder and the 280 has an eight, or am I off the mark on that too? Anyway, what would be recommended in the way of understanding all models that have this body style, options, pluses and minuses of each, etc.

Thank you much.

john

 

[alabbasi]

The model is a W111 coupe. You can google the rest.

 

[bostosh]

Good reply AL,

The next reply is

" What is your budget? "

 

[audihenry]

This is the aftermath from the Hangover movie!

 

[3.5 Tony]

Here is some info to get you started. if you buy one of these look very carefully for rust.
Mercedes 111

 

[JAV]

Thanks, Al, Tony and all, so I learned that the 280 has a lower grill and cars with the lower grill are the most sought after of this type of coupe. So, for instance the silver car I posted in the begining of the thread is the tall hood and the one below here is the low hood. Personally, I like the look of the taller grill. It gives the car a more stately and vintage appearance.

One more question, the wheels and tires look pathetically small in thiese cars, can they be replaced with 15 inch mercedes period wheels?

Thanks for helping me along here. I am starting to fall in love with these cars, biut don't want to lose my head. I need to do some homework first.

john

 

[3.5 Tony]

There are high and low grill 6 cyl 280se's depending on the year. If you want a high grill car I would recommend a 69 280se. In 70 the low grill was implemented. If you want a V8 car it will be a low grill.
I installed chrome 16x8" wheels from a 600SL R129. They vaguely resemble the original hub caps and offer much better handling and stability.

 

[JAV]

Thanks Tony. So, it looks like the V8 car is off my wish list. May I ask why you recommend the 69 280 SE and not others? What about the 250 SE?

Thanks for the picture of the wheel also. If one wanted the car to wear the period looking hubcaps would there be a suitable 15 inch steel wheel that would work with the car?

The small diameter wheel is the only design flaw with MB which goes way back even to pre war cars, when Bently's and Alfa's wore 19-21 inch wheels Benz would have 17-18 inch wheels. There is probabaly an engineering purpose to it, I'm sure.

john

 

[bostosh]

The 250SE with automatic, power steering, A/C was way underpowered, low compression for smog etc.

I had a 250SE Euro version 4 speed manual, manual steering, sunroof which was a joy to drive. Now have the Euro style 220 SEC

NOTE the 15" Bundt;s on the 220SEb W111 no clearance problems ever. Have them on the W109 6.3 also

 

[JAV]

Thanks. The bezels that run alongside the flanks of the car, were these options? How about the ones around the wheel openings? Thanks.

john

 

[3.5 Tony]

The wheel arch trim was installed on the 300SE 112 models but it fits 111's also. It must have been available from the dealer if a 111 owner wanted to install them. I can't imagine there was a aftermarket for such a obscure item.

If you are refering to the chrome covers over the rockers that is on every 111/112.

 

[JAV]

Thanks Tony. Here is a site I happened on last night. It's good for a novice like me: The 280SE Coup and Convertible models

So, my dream car would be a Euro 250SE or a 280SE with AC, sunroof and four on the floor. Would these be rare or nonexistent?

john

 

[3.5 Tony]

You probably will not find AC on a European car but it can be added. Check carefully for rust on a Euro model-it's a harsh climate for cars in Germany. If you want a stick shift it will most likely have to be a Euro model. Don't buy the first car you look at unles it is outstanding.

 

[JAV]

Thanks. One more question, is it a good assumption that if you want the longitudinal Euro headlights you must get a (or any European country delivered) car? I seem to remember seeing cars advertised as Euro but had the twin (Pontiac like) light arrangement. Thanks.

john

 

[3.5 Tony]

You can buy the Euro headlights if you like them. I personally prefer the stacked lights over the "bug eyes". The Euro lights are almost always on Ebay. For some reason
Europeans like the stacked lights. Someone once offered to trade my lights for the european ones.

 

[JAV]

Thanks. That's interesting. I grew up in the 60's seeing the "bugeye" lights and find them more attractive.

john