difference between 108 and 109 body styles?

[classic-Benz]

what are the major differences?
My friend is interested in 71 300sel 4.5 (109 body style), but it's much easier to find 68 280se 2.5 (108 body style), so what gives?
thanks

[Tom Hanson]

The basic body is the same. Of course, the W109 models are all of the "SEL" variety (long wheelbase) and the W108 had either wheelbase available. More features were included on the W109: Air suspension, nicer wood and more of it, chrome on the door window frames and windshield posts, and a few other minor differences. If you want the ultimate W109 car, get the 6.3 . They're bullet proof and not so difficult to sort out. Many folks say they are, but it isn't true. The old mechanical fuel injection is much simpler to work with than the electronic injection of teh 3.5 and 4.5 models. I know this, as I had a 73 450SE and a 71 6.3 . I put alot of hard miles on both. The 450 was more refined (W116), but the 6.3 was just plain fun to drive. So darned fast.

[Dean Yelenik]

Paraphrasing some of what Tom said - they are essentially the same car. The 109s are always 300SELs, are always long wheel base, fancier, and always had air suspension rather than coil springs. Both cars have shock absorbers. The 109s came with a 3.0 liter straight six (similar to the gull wing six and rare), 3.5 V8, 4.5 V8, and 6.3 V8. I've had a 6.3 and a 3.5 but think I would look for a 4.5 which is a great motor and easier to keep up than the 6.3. The 3.5 revs nicely but is a little short in the torque department.

The 108s were short (SE) or long wheel base (SEL), often had MB tex instead of leather. less wood, etc., always had coil springs. They came with 2.5 six, 2.8 six, 3.5 V8 (euro) and 4.5 V8. The short wheel base is a little more nimble but also tight in the back seat. I believe the difference is about 4 or 5 inches in wheel base and overall length. The 108s are sort of "plain jane" but easier to take care of. The air suspension can be both a hassle, especially if you're not driving it regularly, and expensive to restore.

I think I would go for a 109 300SEL 4.5, and as soon as the air suspension failed, put in coil springs from a 108. I've known a couple people who did this - it just becomes a timeless, low hassle, bulletproof car with plenty of space and power.

[ja17]

Hello Dean,
Mercedes also produced 2,700 W108 300-SE sedans (short wheel base and no air suspension) with the aluminum 3.0 liter engines. I own a 1966 of this version. These were European delivery only cars.

Joe Alexander

[Dean Yelenik]

My list was also missing the carbureted "S" 108s, I believe in 250 and 280 versions. I understand a lot of these have gone back to Europe because they are easily converted to propane which is less expensive there than gas.

[Tom Hanson]

Dean,
Alot of the older Benzes go back to Europe because they still like them over there and most of our cars have little to no rust. The finback models from the 60s bring huge money over there now. Even here they are becoming popular again. I'm even starting to like them myself. When the old cars are pristine, they look fabulous. One door ding in a finback and it loos like s%@#t. I still think the most comfortable Benz I ever had was my 59 220S. I wish I could get another one. Maybe someday.

[Dean Yelenik]

A few years ago we had a steady stream of Europeans, especially Germans, in Arizona looking for old Mercedes. I would say hundreds of cars came out of Arizona alone. I bought and shipped out about a dozen cars, 113s, 108s and 111s, to Germany. But then it slowed to a trickly over the last couple of years - the dollar was just too strong, Germany did away with some of the import tax exemptions on the older models, and the German economy wasn't so great. With the strength of the Euro the economic case would seem to be back, but now we don't really don't seem to have many cars left. Just a few years ago the Phoenix Sunday classifieds would have several 113/108/111 ads. Now it seems to be one or two or none. Plus I think Germans may still be a little hesitant to come to the US now in light of international events. But even in the heyday some of them were looking specifically for carbureted Ss because of the easier conversion.