Mercedes-Benz / 8

Mercedes Benz
Mercedes-Benz 200 (Series 1, 1969–1972)
W 114 / W 115
Production period:	1967-1976
Class :	upper middle class
Body versions :	Limousine , coupe , Pullman limousine , pick-up
Engines:	Otto engines : 2.0–2.8 liters (70–136 kW) Diesel engines : 2.0–3.0 liters (40–59 kW)
Length:	4680-5330 mm
Width:	1770-1790 mm
Height:	1395-1440 mm
Wheelbase :	2750-3400 mm
Empty weight :	from 1340 kg
Previous model	Mercedes-Benz W 110
successor	Mercedes-Benz 123 series

With Mercedes-Benz / 8 ( "Stroke Eight"), the passenger car series after their Year 1968 W 114 and W 115 of Daimler-Benz AG indicated. They were sold under the Mercedes-Benz brand . The cars with six-cylinder engines belong to the W 114 series, all other models to the W 115 series. With almost two million vehicles, the “Stroke Eight” achieved almost the same number as all post-war Mercedes-Benz cars before them combined. The W 114/115 were built until 1976 and replaced by the W 123 series. The “Stroke Eight” is now a popular old-timer .

Alongside its successor, the W 123, the "Strich-Acht" was the only car that was able to push the VW Beetle or the VW Golf out of first place for a short time in the German new registration statistics : In 1974, the "Strich-Acht" was the one with 140,127 units best-selling vehicle in West Germany , but it should be noted that the VW Golf did not come onto the market until May 1974.

Model history

General

Rear view

Although the successor, the W 123, had been with dealers since January 1976, the series was offered until December 1976, as Mercedes-Benz had given the taxi industry a corresponding promise. This parallel production is typical at Mercedes-Benz, even the previous model W 110 (“ tail fin ”) continued to be produced a few months after the introduction of the “Stroke Eight”.

The body shape with its clear lines without fashionable accessories came as the upper class -models W 108 / 109 by Paul Bracq . The classification for models with four- or five-cylinder engines (W 115) and the six cylinders (W 114 incl. Coupe ) stemmed that this as the " tail fins " types W 110 and 111 W / 112 should obtain a different front of the car.

The dash eight is considered a robust vehicle. A 240 D, which covered 4.6 million kilometers with three exchange engines between 1976 and 2004, is now in the company museum in Stuttgart.

Innovation and technology

The engines were further developments of previous designs; otherwise the W 114/115 were completely redeveloped. The rear axle was no longer a single-joint swing axle , but a semi- trailing arm axle which gave the car better road holding. This new design at Mercedes was called the " diagonal swing axle " for marketing reasons , so that the S-Class W 108/109, which was current at the time, with its rear swing axles, would not appear to be an outdated design. The trailing arm axle was modified and used in the following series W 116 , R / C 107 , W 123 and W 126 . It was not until the autumn of 1982 that the 190 model (called “Babybenz”) presented the new multi-link rear axle .

The front wheels were suspended on double wishbones , but there were now ball joints instead of the collar bolts. This meant that the grease nipples of the previous models were no longer necessary, and the chassis was maintenance-free. There were also many other innovations that you can still find today in every new Mercedes, such as the typical design of the center console.

The car had been developed according to the latest safety considerations at the time. For example, all models had four disc brakes as standard. The prone handbrake of the previous models was replaced by a foot-operated parking brake, borrowed from the Citroën DS , with a pull-release button on the dashboard.

Dashboard

The shape of the body and the interior were simpler and more functional than in previous Mercedes-Benz models. With the introduction of this series, a lot of additional equipment was available, which drove the price to astronomical heights - for the conditions at the time: electric window lifters (only at the front or on all doors), steel sunroof (also electric), air conditioning, halogen headlights, headlight washers (from 1972), light alloy wheels and metallic paint for the large six-cylinder, headrests front (from mid-1972 series) and rear, Becker car radio, central locking, additional fanfares, center armrest and the like. v. m. (up to 43 extras). A 280 E with full equipment, including automatic transmission, power steering, tinted glass, steel sunroof, leather interior, headrests, right exterior mirror, level control on the rear axle, pulling device, etc. could cost over 40,000 DM in 1972, while a vehicle with the basic equipment with a two-liter gasoline engine approx. Cost 13,000 DM. The W-114/115 series marked the beginning of the “legendary” Mercedes policy of surcharges in the middle class. Never before has it been possible to order so many extras.

Facelift

The Stroke-Eight underwent various changes during its production time. The series can essentially be divided into the first series and the second series , with the major model upgrade in August 1973 marking the change. The first series is again subdivided into series 0.5 , series 1 and series 1.5 :

• Series 0.5 (December 1967 to July 1969)
• Series 1 (August 1969 to March 1972): heating control and illuminated glove box, center console now in one piece with a wide ashtray, carpets instead of rubber mats, carpet on hat shelf, quilted seat cushions, right outside mirror on the fender, standard hazard warning lights, foamed shift lever, wiper arms with cover, other things Heating valve, radiator grille made of plastic
• Series 1.5 (April 1972 to July 1973): Changes to the interior and upholstery, interval switching for windscreen wipers, automatic belts, front window with laminated glass as standard, safety steering wheel, new motors 280 / C and 280 E / CE, 250 CE not applicable
• Second series (August 1973 to December 1976): triangular vent window at the front omitted, changed roof rain gutter (now pulled down to the fender, therefore less rainwater on the side windows), changed front with license plate on the bumper instead of below, thus more favorable angle of approach , changed air intake, Wide and flatter radiator grille, ribbed rear lights, large exterior mirrors adjustable from the inside, wide trunk handle, revised interior, torque converter instead of hydraulic clutch in automatic transmissions, windshield wipers operated by turning the steering column lever from 1975, new engines 230.4, 240 D and later 240 D 3.0.

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  Mercedes-Benz 200 D (1973-1976, with wide radiator grille)

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  Rear view with ribbed taillights and no vent window

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  Mercedes-Benz 280 (US version with sealed beam headlights from 1975)

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  Mercedes-Benz 240 D in US version (1976)

There are numerous detailed changes between the major model maintenance appointments. For example, the two-part center console that characterizes the 0.5 series was still installed after the introduction of the 1 series in vehicles with air conditioning, but with a differently shaped upper part. From 1972 to 1973 there were the transition models of the 1.5 series, as the vehicles were optically and technically upgraded together with the introduction of the new twin-camshaft engines 280 and 280 E in April 1972. At the same time, many features of the "old" Series 1 were also retained in the 1.5 series, which is why these models are in great demand today because of their appearance, the short construction time and the low number of units.

variants

limousine

Side view

Most of the / 8 models were delivered as sedans, the models with four or five-cylinder engines are designated as W 115, the models with six-cylinder engines have the code W 114.Differences in the body structure between W 114 and W 115 are only to be found in the six-cylinder models 280 and 280 E, which appeared in 1972. Because of the new M 110 engines with cross-flow cylinder heads, these cars lack the diagonal struts of the bulkhead support in the engine compartment. The sheet metal thickness in the area of ​​the front structure was increased for stabilization. The models 280 and 280 E have additional brackets in the trunk as well as holes in the rear side panels for the rear bumper that is pulled around to the side. Otherwise, types W 114 and W 115 have the same structure.

Coupe

Mercedes-Benz 280 CE

Mercedes-Benz 250C

Mercedes-Benz 250C

The coupé was in the program from April 1969. The missing B-pillar and the low roof made for a new look. Four- and five-cylinder engines were not available for the coupes. Coupés therefore always belong to the W 114 series. The 2.5-liter six-cylinder engine of the M 114.980 model, which is equipped with electronically controlled Bosch D-Jetronic manifold injection, has an output of 110 kW (150 hp) was reserved for the coupé . The 250 CE model equipped in this way is the first Mercedes-Benz vehicle to be available with such an electronically controlled intake manifold injection.

The external distinguishing feature of the top-of-the-range engine, which has been the double front bumper since series production started in the 250-series sedans and coupés, has now been extended for the 280-series sedan models to include a rear bumper with long, chrome-plated bumper corners that extend to the front of the rear wheel cutouts . This long rear bumper was already known from the coupés, all of which had been equipped with double front bumpers and long rear bumpers since the start of series production and until the major facelift in 1973.

During the facelift in 1973, the front double bumper was omitted from all models. Completely new designs were the engines of the models 280/280 C and 280 E / 280 CE with a displacement of 2746 cm³ ( M 110 ), which were brought onto the market in 1972 during the model upgrade for the 1.5 series together with the new S-Class model W 116 . The 250 CE in the coupé fell away with the introduction of the 280 CE. Thus three coupé models were offered: 250 C, 280 C and 280 CE, all equipped with a 2.8-liter six-cylinder M 110 engine. The coupé models always went along with the model maintenance measures. Their total number was around 67,000 copies. Unlike the sedans, which were produced for another year with the W 123, the coupes were discontinued in 1976.

Long version

Mercedes-Benz / 8 long version

By far the rarest officially produced body variant of this type is the long version ( Pullman body ) with eight seats in three rows, which was mostly purchased from hotels, rental cars and taxi companies.

The long versions regularly rolled off the production line in Sindelfingen together with the limousines; they are not "short" / 8 versions that were subsequently extended.

In the Arab region (Jordan, Syria, etc.) stretched dash-eight were part of the street scene as shared taxis until the turn of the millennium.

Pickup truck

In Argentina, the W 115 was built from CKD kits . Because the local legislation only allowed commercial vehicles to be built from CKD kits and not to import cars, pickup trucks with single or double cabs were built instead of limousines.

chassis

As is usual at Daimler-Benz, the / 8 could also be supplied as a chassis with a short or long wheelbase, which was then built by independent bodybuilders (see below ).

Motorization

Petrol engines

Mercedes-Benz 230.6 with six-cylinder engine

The 200 with 70 kW (95 PS) and the 220 with 77 kW (105 PS) have four-cylinder gasoline engines, both engines are designated as M 115 and are equipped with a Stromberg flat-flow carburetor of the type 175 CDTU or CDS. They are only slightly different from their predecessor M 121 . The engine for the 230.4 model was developed from the 2.2-liter engine by enlarging the cylinder bore; it developed 81 kW (110 hp) and was presented for the major model upgrade in 1973. At the same time, the Mercedes 220 was taken out of the range.

The “small six-cylinder” model in the 230 model was the M 180 known from the “fintail” W 110 models, which developed 88 kW (120 hp). From August 1973 this type was renamed to 230.6 to avoid confusion with the 230.4 (M 115). The 230 model with a six-cylinder was particularly popular in exports.

The top models were motorized with a larger six-cylinder type M 114 which, like the M 180, has two downdraft register carburetors of the type Zenith 35/40 INAT. In the top model of the sedan (250) and in the coupé (250 C) it has an output of 96 kW (130 hp), with electronically controlled D-Jetronic intake manifold injection in the top model of the coupé (250 CE) 110 kW (150 hp).

The M 110 twin-camshaft engines ( DOHC ) in the 280 E and 280 CE were the only engines that Daimler-Benz used in all three model series at the same time: in the Stroke-Eight, in the S-Class W 116 and in the SL sports cars / SLC series . The top engine has an output of 136 kW (185 hp) with electronically controlled intake manifold injection D-Jetronic from Bosch . Among them were the 280 and 280 C (with double register carburetor Solex 4A1 ). The 230 and 250, including the 250 C.

Right-hand drive 250 with Thai registration

The models 250 and 250 C, which were now built parallel to the 280s, were given the M 130 engine with the same type designation , which even has a little more displacement than the M 110, but only one camshaft and no cross-flow cylinder head, and the 96 kW (130 PS). This engine was then the weakest engine in the coupe.

From 1974 to 1976 the W 114 / W 115 series had a range of ten models from which buyers could choose: 200, 230.4, 230.6, 250, 280, 280 E, 200 D, 220 D, 240 D and 240 D. 3.0.

Today the early top models from 1972/1973 of the types 280 E and CE are the most sought-after versions of the "dash-eight", with the coupé also the fast original version 250 CE: already with the most powerful engines, but still with smooth taillights, vent windows, long bumpers at the rear, double bumper corners at the front - often with an electric sunroof, air conditioning, all-round electric window regulators and the headlight cleaning system available for the first time. The prices of good coupés are approaching 30,000 euros (as of 2019) and are thus above the range of previous new prices.

diesel

The lower end of the performance scale was the popular 200 D with the OM 615 engine , which had only been slightly revised compared to its predecessor OM 621 despite the new type designation. With an output of 40 kW (55 PS) and a curb weight of almost 1.5 tons, the 200 D was already underpowered at the time. Nevertheless, it enjoyed great popularity as a tractor for cattle trailers due to its high trailer load. In the 1970s, this combination shaped the image of the sedate diesel car (“ Heizölferrari ”, “Wanderdüne”, “Pig Daimler”, “Bauern-Benz”), which in some cases still holds up today. In conjunction with the automatic transmission , the diesel was the most frequently driven taxi of its time. Mileage of one million kilometers was not uncommon. The top speed of the 200 D automatic is 125 km / h. The acceleration from 0 to 100 km / h of the 200 D with manual gearbox is 31 seconds, roughly the same values ​​as with the economy models of the VW Beetle .

Other diesel models are the 220 D with an OM-615 variant with a larger stroke and 44 kW (60 hp) output - the most popular passenger car in the W-115 series - and from 1973 the 240 D (engine OM 616 ) with 48 kW ( 65 hp) power, which differs from the OM 615 in that it has a larger bore. Only a year after the facelift came of / 8 1974, the five-cylinder diesel engine OM 617 in the model 240 D 3.0 with 59 kW (80 hp) to the market. The 240 D 3.0 was the first series-production diesel vehicle to reach a top speed of just under 150 km / h, but had a comparatively high fuel consumption.

Technical specifications

Models	Model	Engine type	Design	construction time	Cubic capacity [cm 3 ]	Power [PS] / [kW]	V max [km / h]	Consumption [l / 100 km]
W 115 (diesel)
200 D	115.115	OM 615.913	R4	12 / 1967-07 / 1973	1988	55/40	130	8.1
200 D	115.715	OM 615.913	R4	08/1973–12/1976	1988	55/40	130	8.1
220 D	115.110	OM 615.912	R4	12 / 1967-07 / 1973	2197	60/44	135	8.5
220 D	115.710	OM 615.912	R4	08/1973–12/1976	2197	60/44	135	8.5
220 D long	115.112	OM 615.912	R4	12 / 1967-07 / 1973	2197	60/44	135	8.5
240 D	115.117	OM 616.916	R4	08/1973–12/1976	2404	65/48	138	9.5
240 D long	115.119	OM 616.916	R4	08/1973–12/1976	2404	65/48	138	9.5
240 D 3.0	115.114	OM 617.910	R5	08 / 1974-12 / 1976	3005	80/59	148	10.8
W 115 (petrol engine)
200	115.015	M 115.923	R4	12 / 1967-07 / 1973	1988	95/70	160	10.9
200	115,615	M 115.926	R4	08/1973–12/1976	1988	95/70	160	10.9
220	115.010	M 115.920	R4	12 / 1967-07 / 1973	2197	105/77	168	11.1
230.4	115.017	M 115.951	R4	08/1973–12/1976	2307	110/81	170	11.4
W 114 (petrol engine)
230	114.015	M 180.954	R6	12 / 1967-07 / 1973	2292	120/88	175	11.2
230 long	114.017	M 180.954	R6	12 / 1967-07 / 1973	2292	120/88	175	11.2
230.6	114,615	M 180.954	R6	08/1973–12/1976	2292	120/88	175	11.2
230.6 long	114,617	M 180.954	R6	08/1973–12/1976	2292	120/88	175	11.2
250	114.010	M 114.920	R6	12 / 1967-06 / 1970	2496	130/96	180	11.7
250	114.011	M 130.923	R6	07 / 1970-07 / 1973	2496	130/96	180	11.7
250	114,611	M 130.923	R6	08/1973–12/1976	2496	130/96	180	11.7
250 (2.8)	114.011	M 130.920	R6	07 / 1968-07 / 1973	2778	140/103	180	12.5
250 C Coupé	114.021	M 114.920	R6	02 / 1969-04 / 1972	2496	130/96	180	11.7
250 C Coupé (2.8)	114,623	M 130.920	R6	05 / 1972-12 / 1976	2778	130/96	180	12.5
250 CE Coupé	114.022	M 114.980	R6	02 / 1969-04 / 1972	2496	150/110	190	11.7
280	114.060	M 110.921	R6	05 / 1972-07 / 1973	2746	160/118	175	14.5
280	114,660	M 110.921	R6	08/1973–12/1976	2746	160/118	190	12.5
280 E	114.062	M 110.981	R6	08 / 1972-07 / 1973	2746	185/136	200	12.5
280 E	114,662	M 110.981	R6	08/1973–12/1976	2746	185/136	200	12.5
280 C Coupé	114.073	M 110.921	R6	06 / 1972-07 / 1973	2746	160/118	190	12.5
280 C Coupé	114,673	M 110.921	R6	08/1973–12/1976	2746	160/118	190	12.5
280 CE Coupé	114.072	M 110.981	R6	06 / 1972-07 / 1973	2746	185/136	200	12.5
280 CE Coupé	114,672	M 110.981	R6	08/1973–12/1976	2746	185/136	200	12.5

Modifications by bodywork companies

Combi conversions

In small quantities were from German (z. B. Binz and Meanies English () Crayford ), Belgian ( IMA Universal ) and Portuguese (Dos Santos) coachbuilders combi versions produced. This happened partly on the basis of supplied CKD bodies and partly without support and sometimes with the disapproval of Daimler-Benz, where the development of a station wagon was completely completed, but was not realized as a series vehicle due to a lack of production capacities. The previous factory combination contract production at IMA Universal had become critical, and bankruptcy threatened in Liège. The combination production then only happened in Bremen and with the T-model of the successor series 123, in which stylistic elements of the dash-eight station wagons that remained, such as the rear end and the side line can be found.

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  Conversion of the IMA

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  Remodeling by C. Miesen, Bonn

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  Crayford remodeling

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  Ambulance conversion Binz Europ 1200 L

Conversion to a hearse

On the one hand, hearse bodies were widespread, for example by Pollmann in Bremen or Welsch in Mayen, and on the other hand versions with a raised roof, which were primarily equipped as ambulances: These were based on the long version and came mainly from Binz and Miesen , but both were also normal combination versions (mostly abroad).

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  Hearse from the Italian coachbuilder Pilato

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  Hearse from the Italian coachbuilder Pilato

literature

• Michael Rohde: Mercedes-Benz / 8: Mercedes for millions . Motorbuch, Stuttgart 2016, ISBN 978-3-7688-3510-7 .
• Peter Kurz, Halwart Scharader: Mercedes-Benz / 8 - W114 / 115 . Delius Klasing, Bielefeld 2012, ISBN 978-3-613-03910-0 .

Web links

Commons : Mercedes-Benz W 114  - Collection of pictures, videos and audio files

Commons : Mercedes-Benz W 115  - Collection of Pictures, Videos and Audio Files

• Strichachtclub Germany
• Motors, technical data, color and upholstery tables
• History of the 200 D
• W 114 / W 115. In: Mercedes-Benz Classic Wiki. Mercedes-Benz Museum GmbH, February 24, 2010, accessed on January 7, 2011 (manufacturer's website): "Online encyclopedia about Mercedes-Benz oldtimers" 

Individual evidence

1. ^ Matt Gasnier: West Germany 1974: Mercedes' Strich 8 ′ surprise best-seller. bestsellingcarsblog.com, archived from the original on August 18, 2013 ; accessed on July 4, 2014 . 
2. ↑ Car legend: Stroke eight covers 4.6 million kilometers - mobility. In: Spiegel Online . September 20, 2004, accessed June 9, 2018 . 
3. ↑ Picture of the taxi that has traveled 4.6 million km on heise.de, accessed on October 30, 2011.
4. ↑ Thomas Frankenstein: "La Pickup" 1972 Mercedes-Benz 220d "Strich-Acht" Pick from Argentina (W115) , accessed on July 8, 2018