1969→1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 Coupé
In September 1969, clearly more powerful versions of the 280 SE 3.5 Coupé and Cabriolet were introduced. The completely newly developed 3.5-litre V8 engine with an output of 147 kW excelled in particularly smooth running characteristics and gave the car a sports-car-like performance. The new models had been stylistically refined to a certain extent, like the versions with 2.8-litre six-cylinder engines which continued to be on sale: the radiator mask was lower and wider, with a correspondingly flatter front end of the engine hood. Due to this characteristic feature, the face-lifted Coupés and Cabriolets were often referred to as the “flat radiator” models by insiders. As on the Saloons, the bumpers of the Coupés and Cabriolets were now fitted with rubber strips. In purely visual terms, the eight-cylinder models did not differ from the face-lifted six-cylinder versions.
Story by Daimler AG
In Detail
| tags | w111, 280se |
| submitted by | Official Galleries |
| type | Series Production Car |
| production years | 1969 – 1971 |
| built at | Germany |
| price $ | $ 14509 |
| engine | V8 |
| position | Front Longitudinal |
| aspiration | Natural |
| valvetrain | SOHC, 2 Valves per Cyl |
| fuel feed | Bosch D-Jetronic Injection |
| displacement | 3499 cc / 213.52 in³ |
| bore | 92 mm / 3.6 in |
| stroke | 86.5 mm / 3.4 in |
| compression | 9.5:1 |
| power | 146.9 kw / 197 bhp @ 5800 rpm |
| specific output | 56.3 bhp per litre |
| bhp/weight | 119.39 bhp per tonne |
| torque | 286.1 nm / 211 ft lbs @ 4000 rpm |
| driven wheels | RWD |
| front tires | 185 V 14 |
| rear tires | 185 V 14 |
| front brakes | Discs |
| rear brakes | Drums |
| steering | Recirculating Ball |
| f suspension | Double Wishbones w/Coil Springs, Anti-Roll Bar |
| r suspension | Swing Axle w/Coil Springs |
| curb weight | 1650 kg / 3638 lbs |
| wheelbase | 2750 mm / 108.3 in |
| front track | 1482 mm / 58.3 in |
| rear track | 1485 mm / 58.5 in |
| length | 4905 mm / 193.1 in |
| width | 1845 mm / 72.6 in |
| height | 1420 mm / 55.9 in |
| transmission | 4-Speed Automatic |
| final drive | 3.69:1 |
| 0 – 100 kph | ~9.4 seconds |
| fuel capacity | 82 litres or 21.65 gal. |
Auction Sales History
1970 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 Coupé 111026.12.002949 – sold for $99,000 Matching numbers example. Restoration completed in 2015. Desirable 3.5 with floor-shift and air conditioning. One of the last great classics from Mercedes-Benz. Offered with factory records and tools.
Auction Source: 2015 Quail Lodge Auction by Bonhams
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 Coupe 111.026.12.002651 – sold for $143,000 Spectacular and Highly Original Example. 37,548 Original Miles Documented in Service Book. Finished in Midnight Blue with Matching Leather Interior. A Rare and Luxurious 3.5-Liter Sunroof Coupe. Handsomely Outfitted with Options Including Air-Conditioning.
Auction Source: The Pebble Beach Auctions 2015 by Gooding and Company
Tobacco Brown 1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 Coupe 111.026.12.003256 – sold for $198,000 Long-term single ownership in Pasadena from 1972 to 2014. Recently repainted in the original Tobacco Brown (DB 423), the car was also fitted with a new windshield and rear window. The engine and transmission were rebuilt by a Mercedes-Benz specialist, and mechanicals were refurbished or replaced with numerous NOS components.
Auction Source: The Pebble Beach Auctions 2015 by Gooding and Company
1970 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 Coupé 111.026-12-000881 – sold for €70,150 One of only 4,502 examples produced, this delightful 280 SE 3.5 was delivered new via the Mercedes-Benz agency in Berlin. Probably its first owners, the latter used the car as a demonstrator, which also explains the lavish and luxurious equipment, something not to be taken for granted at that time. Its specification includes sand beige metallic paintwork, tobacco brown interior leather, automatic transmission, electric sliding steel sunroof,
electric windows, original Behr air conditioning, and a Becker Mexico radio/cassette.
The accompanying original service book lists a Mrs Lorenz of Frankfurt as the second owner. She purchased the car with some 9,881 kilometres recorded on the odometer and continued to enjoy its effortless pace until 1983 when she sold it to the current vendor. He first registered the Mercedes in his company’s name and then from 1985 as his private car. During his ownership it was re-sprayed in its original livery and has always been maintained, as documented in the aforementioned service book. Described as in generally good working order, the car also comes with sundry invoices, German registration papers and a copy of the Mercedes-Benz Kardex.
Auction Source: The Mercedes-Benz Sale 2015 by Bonhams
1970 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 Coupe 111.026.12.000148 – sold for $148,500 Stately Original Color Combination. Well Maintained and Carefully Stored for Decades Prior to Restoration. Restoration by Mercedes-Benz Specialist. First Place in 2014 MBCA Concours. Fabulous Touring Model in Stunning Condition.
Auction Source: The 2015 Amelia Island Auction by Gooding & Company
1971 Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 Coupe 111.026-12-001525 – sold for $178,750 Low-Mileage, Sunroof, Floor-Shift Example. Desirable 3.5-Liter Variant. Accompanied by Extensive Service Documentation. Original Color Scheme. A Very Rare Find.
Auction Source: The Scottsdale Auctions by Gooding & Company
