Mercedes-Benz W 112

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Mercedes Benz
Mercedes-Benz "300 SE long" (W112.015) .jpg
W 112
Sales designation: 300 SE
Production period: 1961-1965
Class : Upper class
Body versions : limousine
Engines: Otto engine:
3.0 liters
(160–170 hp)
Length: 4875-4975 mm
Width: 1795 mm
Height: 1455 mm
Wheelbase : 2750-2850 mm
Empty weight : 1565-1615 kg
Previous model Mercedes-Benz W 189
successor Mercedes-Benz W 108 , Mercedes-Benz W 109

In terms of equipment and technology, the Mercedes-Benz W 112 is the most elaborate model of the so-called tail fin series from Mercedes-Benz.

The official name of the car is Mercedes-Benz 300 SE , it is available in two sedan versions as well as a coupé and a convertible.

All 112 models are based on the practically identical bodies of their respective counterparts in the W 111 series and on the outside only differ in their extensive chrome trim (wide trim strip in the center bead from the headlights to the rear light, chrome wheel arch strips and a wide chrome trim that covers the entire outer sill ), and also in the case of the limousines with a significantly higher-quality interior (real wood frames, noble fabrics in special designs ).

limousine

Rear view of an early 300 SE with a single-pipe exhaust and narrow door window chrome
Replica of a Mercedes-Benz 300 SE in factory racing trim that is largely true to the original

General

The 300 SE (W 112.014) was built between February 1961 and July 1965 exactly 5202 times. At the same time, the 300 SE long (W 112.015) appeared 2 years later with a 10 cm longer wheelbase, and only 1,546 of this variant were built from March 1963 (= start of series production; 1 pre-series car manufactured by Daimler-Benz in December 1962) until July 1965 . Compared to the number of units of the other tail fin models in the W 110 series (628,282 units in total) and W 111 (338,003 units in total), the 112 tail fins were rarely found at the time of their creation.

The sedan with the “short” wheelbase has distinctive, additional 300 SE logos on the C-pillar trims. In the long version, however, there are only subtle, continuous bezels at this point - without the typical chrome sickle and without lettering - and this is how you can tell these two 300 SE sedans apart from one another.

A special difference to all other previously or subsequently built Mercedes-Benz models can be seen on the trunk lid: The 300-SE lettering was provided with a chrome frame (see picture) and is therefore the "icing on the cake" of what was then and is not the case today undisputed amount of ornamentation in the W 112. This special, framed emblem adorns all W-112 sedans from 1961 to 1965, but soon afterwards it was no longer available as a spare part and was replaced by the frameless 300-SE- if necessary. Replaced lettering on the coupés and convertibles.

In the period between the discontinuation of the “Adenauer” 300 (W 189) at the beginning of 1962 and the appearance of the Mercedes 600 (W 100) at the end of 1963, the 300 SE was the finest (and, as the 300 SE, the largest) sedan, the Mercedes-Benz had to offer his customers.

Long version

The long version was largely handcrafted: A 300 SE body was removed from the assembly line, cut across at the level of the rear and extended by 10 cm by inserting structured metal strips. The rear door structures were also stretched in this way. Only the roof skin and the rear door skins were each pressed in one piece as long-specific sheet metal parts. This process was more economical than the separate pressing of long body parts (tool costs) due to the small number of pieces. B. also used in BMW E3 sedans of the 1970s.

In the 300 SE, however, there is no “L” in the type designation, neither on the trunk lid nor in the brochures. The designation "300 SEL" was only introduced for the successor model, the W 109. Therefore it is wrong to refer to a long Tailfin 300 SE as "SEL".

With the appearance of the long version in the spring of 1963, the 112 limousines were given even more chrome trim: the door window frames were structurally modified and completely covered with wide chrome frame covers - as a further measure to create a visual distinction to the much cheaper 111 limousine, which continues to come with the thin chrome bars on the windows was built.

Technology, drive

All W 112 are equipped with special technical features as standard. They make the real, prestigious difference to the W 111 models:

  • Six-cylinder engine with mechanical manifold injection and initially 118 kW (160 hp), from February 1964 with 125 kW (170 hp)
  • newly developed Daimler-Benz four-speed automatic transmission
  • Newly developed air suspension for constant vehicle level in all load situations
  • Disc brakes front and rear
  • Power steering
  • Differential lock
  • Brake hold-down on the rear axle for constant wheel camber

The W 112 is powered by the Mercedes-Benz M 189 , a very elaborately manufactured in-line six-cylinder engine with a displacement of three liters. Because of the light alloy engine block and cylinder head, the engine weighs around 40 kg less than its gray cast iron predecessors, which were used in the 300 SL ("Gullwing" and Roadster) and the 300 (W 189, "Adenauer sedan"). This reduction in the front axle load resulted in improved handling (less understeer).

In contemporary test reports (for example auto motor und sport , issue 14, 1962) it was criticized that the gear stages of the automatic are arranged unfavorably in relation to the engine characteristics, but there is no alternative in the form of an optional manual transmission. Daimler-Benz reacted to the criticism and from the spring of 1963 offered a four-speed manual transmission at a reduced price of DM 1,400. A ZF five-speed gearbox was also homologated for racing purposes , but was not officially sold. Nevertheless, the 300 SE was quite powerful even with the standard drive versions: the top speed is up to 200 km / h, depending on the selected axle and gearbox combination - a respectable sports car value at the time.

Prices

The base price in 1963 for the 300 SE was 24,500 DM, for the 300 SE long it was 27,800 DM. Depending on the desired special equipment, the final price could be well over 40,000 DM. For comparison: a VW Beetle "Export" cost around 5400 DM, and an employee earned around 800 DM a month. It is also noteworthy at this point that the cheapest W 111 (220b) was available from DM 12,160 in 1963, and the already quite solid 220 SEb "only" cost DM 15,450 (1962). And that with almost the same external appearance and identical space (the long version is ignored in each case). The latter even applies to the types of the W 110 series, which were several levels lower and were offered for a good DM 10,000.

Optional extras

A specific option for both 300 SE sedans was e.g. B. a separate rear heater. Central locking, elegant velor or fine cord upholstery and a partition with an electrically operated window were only available for the long version. There were also many other common extras such as B. mechanical steel sliding roof, Becker radio, air conditioning, set of suitcases, colored glass, belts, neck rests ("slumber rolls") etc. to order. As far as the tailfin sedans were concerned, the metallic paintwork, which was new at the time, was also reserved for the two 300 versions. There was also two-tone paintwork for both types on request (i.e. roof and hubcaps in a different color than the fuselage), but for the long version a two-tone paintwork was "not recommended" according to the price list footnote. However, this had less to do with the actual effect than with the appearance of the long sedans intended by the manufacturer, which the marketing department was worried about: the other types of tail fin could be ordered with any two-color combination, but the long version should at least have the "Adenauer" - Replace 300d and thus appear as covered / serious in color as possible.

Motorsport

With a normal wheelbase, the car was also used very successfully in the European Touring Car Championship and in international rally competitions, there in some cases with direct injection as in the 300 SL Gullwing and well over 200 hp (150 kW). In the Mercedes-Benz Museum, a 300 SE is on display in the original 1960s factory racing trim, see picture. However, this is not one of the originally used vehicles, but a replica (see Mercedes-Benz Classic, 3/2009, pages 54–60, "Number 617 is alive"), which technically was left closer to series production, and otherwise with certain deviations from the racing original - the presence of a steel sliding roof and more modern rims are particularly noticeable.

Coupé and Cabriolet

Mercedes Benz
300SECoupe.jpg
W 112
Sales designation: 300 SE
Production period: 1962-1967
Class : Upper class
Body versions : Coupé , convertible
Engines: Otto engine :
3.0 liters
(160–170 hp)
Length: 4880 mm
Width: 1845 mm
Height: 1395 mm
Wheelbase : 2750 mm
Empty weight : 1590-1690 kg
Previous model Mercedes-Benz W 128 / W 180 II
successor Mercedes-Benz C 107
Mercedes-Benz C 126
Mercedes-Benz 300 SE Cabriolet

Technically, these correspond to the sedans, made their debut in February 1962, i.e. only one year after the sedan (and the 111 coupés and convertibles), and remained in the range until December 1967, i.e. 2 years longer than their four-door sister models (but 4 years shorter than the 111 Coupés and Cabriolets). In contrast to the sedans, they have no fashionable tail fins, a lower roof line, and thus appear overall more elegant and timeless, which gave them a classic status much earlier. This timelessness also made it possible for them to be built in parallel with the successors of the 112 sedans, the S-Classes of the W 108 / W 109 series, practically unchanged . Nevertheless, only a total of 2,419 coupés (W 112.021) and 708 convertibles (W 112.023) were built.

The body shapes of both models in the W 111 series with a lower radiator front from 1967 (called flat radiator, to distinguish it from the previous high radiator) continued to be produced until 1971, but there was no successor model based on the S-Class sedan W 116 , which was about to make its debut hung up. Instead, Daimler-Benz developed a coupé based on the new SL roadster ( R 107 ), which was also presented at the time, and its proportions (greatly extended wheelbase) are still controversial today. It was presented as an SLC sports coupé from the C 107 series. A real S-Class Coupé was only built again with the successor to the C 107, namely with the SEC ( C 126 ) presented in 1981 . An S-Class Cabriolet was only available again in 2015 (A 217).

Todays situation

For a long time, neglected because of the complex technology, the W 112s are now coveted classic cars precisely because of this and their rarity.

reception

A Mercedes-Benz W 112 limousine is shown on the cover of the album Autobahn by the electro-pop band Kraftwerk .

Web links

Commons : Mercedes-Benz W 112  - Collection of pictures, videos and audio files