Rare Car Archive

Makes › Mercedes-Benz Germany › 250 › 250 SE Cabriolet (W 111) · Rare specification · 1965–1967 Very Rare

Mercedes-Benz
250 SE Cabriolet (W 111)

2.5-litre version of the W 111 cabriolet.

Mercedes-Benz 250 SE Cabriolet (W 111) (Wikimedia Commons search)
Mercedes-Benz 250 SE Cabriolet (W 111) (Wikimedia Commons search)
Photo: Ermell · CC BY-SA 4.0
954BuiltFactory reported
0Chassis documentedin this archive
?SurvivingNot yet verified
Contents
  1. 01Overview
  2. 02Production & history
  3. 03Specifications
  4. 04Colours & options
  5. 05Individual cars
  6. 06Reference

01Overview

At a glance

Built
954 Built
Years
1965–1967
Engine
Front, longitudinal; vertical; 6-cylinder in-line · 2,496 cc / 2.5 LFactory: 2,496 cc
Power
112 kW / 152 PSFactory: 150 hp · converted
Top speed
190 km/hFactory: 190 km/h
Body
Not yet verified
Designer
Not yet verified
In this archive
Not yet verified
Surviving
Not yet verified

Sources and any conflicting figures are in the sections below.

Why it matters

The 250 SE Cabriolet carried the 1961 W 111 convertible body into the years of the new-generation saloons: the saloons changed to the 108 series body in 1965, but the coupé and convertible kept the older shape and received the 2.5-litre 150 hp injection engine. With 954 built it was the second most exclusive convertible of the 111 and 112 series, behind only the 300 SE convertible (708).

How rare is it?

Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.

Model rarityNot yet assessed
Specification rarityVery Rare 954 · Built1,2
Colour rarityNot yet assessed
Individual rarityNot yet assessed
Historical rarityNot yet assessed
Survival rarityNot yet assessed

Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.

Photos

Exterior, interior and detail photos with their licences.

02Production & history

Production

Every figure says what it counts.

What is countedFigureBasisStatus
Factory package productioncabriolets 9541,2 Factory production Factory reported

Independent counts (e.g. engine and colour) are never combined into a calculated figure. Surviving examples are never presented as original production.

History

The archive gives production from pre-production in August 1965 to December 1967 and a launch price of DM 26,350 (DM 26,950 from April 1966). Compared with the 220 SEb, the 2.5-litre models had the larger 14-inch wheels and disc brakes of the 108 series saloons and a hydropneumatic compensating spring at the rear axle in place of the former coil spring, keeping the body level under load.

The 250 SE was replaced in January 1968 by the 280 SE with a 2.8-litre, 160 hp engine. Bonhams puts total 250 SE coupé and cabriolet production at 6,213, from September 1965 to December 1967.

Variants

How each version differs from the standard 250 SE Cabriolet (W 111).

No variants documented yet. Have a source? Contribute it.

03Specifications

Technical specifications

Engine

Engine familyNot yet verified
Engine codeM 129 I / 129.9801
LayoutFront, longitudinal; vertical; 6-cylinder in-line1
Cylinders61
Displacement 2,496 cc / 2.5 LFactory: 2,496 cc1Archive adds: tax classification 2470 cc.
Bore 82 mmFactory: 82 mm1
Stroke 78.8 mmFactory: 78.8 mm1
Compression ratio9.3:1; from 09.1966: 9.5:11
Valvetrain1 intake, 1 exhaust valve per cylinder, overhead; 1 overhead camshaft driven by double roller chain1
Fuel systemManifold injection, mechanically controlled; Bosch 6-plunger injection pump1
Power 112 kW / 152 PSFactory: 150 hp · converted1Rating: manufacturerBonhams lot 57 quotes 150 bhp at 5,200 rpm and, in its text, 5,600 rpm; the archive figure is used.
Power at 5,500 rpm1
Torque 216 Nm / 22 kgmFactory: 22 kgm1Archive prints the unit as mkg (metre-kilograms, kgm).
Torque at 4,200 rpm1

Transmission & drivetrain

GearboxManual change-speed gear, dry single-disc clutch, central floor shift (4-speed automatic optional)1
Gears41
Gear ratiosI. 4.05; II. 2.23; III. 1.40; IV. 1.0; R. 3.581Manual gearbox. Optional automatic: I. 3.98; II. 2.52; III. 1.58; IV. 1.0; R. 4.15.
Final drive3.921
Driven wheelsRear wheels1

Chassis, body & dimensions

ChassisFloor assembly / steel unit body1
Front suspensionDouble wishbone; coil springs, torsion bar stabiliser; telescopic shock absorbers1
Rear suspensionSingle-joint swing axle with hydropneumatic compensating spring and level control; coil springs; telescopic shock absorbers1
BrakesHydraulic dual-circuit with vacuum booster, acting on front and rear wheels; four-wheel disc brakes; mechanical parking brake on rear wheels1
SteeringRecirculating-ball steering (power steering optional)1
Body constructionNot yet verified
Wheelbase 2,750 mmFactory: 2,750 mm1
Length 4,880 mmFactory: 4,880 mm1
Width 1,845 mmFactory: 1,845 mm1
Height 1,435 mmFactory: 1,435 mm1
Front track 1,482 mmFactory: 1,482 mm1
Rear track 1,485 mmFactory: 1,485 mm1
Kerb weight 1,575 kgFactory: 1,575 kg1Per DIN 70020: ready to drive, including fuel, spare wheel and tool kit.
Dry weightNot yet verified

Performance

Maximum speed 190 km/hFactory: 190 km/h1Manual. Automatic: 185 km/h.
0–100 km/h 11.8 s1Manual. Automatic: 12 s.
Fuel tank 82 LFactory: 82 L1Tank is in the rear.
Fuel consumption 11.7 L/100kmFactory: 11.7 L/100km1Mercedes-Benz archive figure in litres per 100 km: 11.7 l (per 100 km, DIN 70030 basis)

“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.

04Colours & options

Factory colours & interiors

Original paint and trim, with the number of cars in each where a source gives it.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

Factory options & codes

Codes are shown exactly as written by the manufacturer.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

05Individual cars

Chassis register

Every documented car, with its colours, history and where it is now. Open a row for the full record. Known chassis are not automatically authenticated originals.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

Competition history

Every race result of the individual cars, in date order. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

Auction & sale history

Documented public sales of the individual cars. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.

Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.

See one in person

Museums where an example of this car can be seen.

No example is documented on public display yet. Have a source? Contribute it.

06Reference

Identification guide

How to tell an original from a replica or later conversion.

The archive type is 111.023 (design name W 111 / III A) with the M 129 I / 129.980 engine of 2,496 cc. Auction chassis and engine numbers read 111 023-12-088311 with 129 980-12-017798 and 111.023-12-083391, so the 111.023 prefix and the 129.980 engine prefix are both visible. Features recorded in the archive: a 2,750 mm wheelbase, 4,880 mm length, 1,845 mm width, 1,435 mm height, 1,575 kg kerb weight, 6 J x 14 rims with 7.75 H 14 or 195 H 14 tyres, a four-speed manual standard gearbox with an optional automatic, and a hydropneumatic compensating spring at the rear. Bonhams notes that the car kept the 220 SEb-era coachwork rather than the new-generation saloon shape.

Sources

Each number links to the exact facts it supports.

  1. 1
    250 SE Cabriolet / W 111 / III A, 1965 - 1967 (model page) Level A Mercedes-Benz AG, Mercedes-Benz Public Archive (Classic M@RS)
    • Units produced : 954
    • Engine type : M 129 I / 129.980 (Engine)
    • Configuration : front, longitudinal; vertical (Engine)
    • Number of cylinders / arrangement : 6 / in-line (Engine)
    • Total displacement : 2496 cc (Engine)
    • Bore x Stroke : 82 x 78.8 mm (Engine)
    • Compression ratio : 9.3; from 09.1966: 9.5 (Engine)
    • Number of valves / arrangement : 1 intake, 1 exhaust / overhead (Engine)
    • Fuel system : Manifold injection, mechanically controlled; Bosch 6-plunger injection pump (Engine)
    • Rated output : 150 hp at 5500 rpm (Engine)
    • Rated torque : 22.0 mkg at 4200 rpm (Engine)
    • Transmission type : change-speed gear (Transmission and Performance)
    • Gearing : 4-speed manual transmission (standard); 4-speed automatic transmission (optional) (Transmission and Performance)
    • Gear ratios : I. 4.05; II. 2.23; III. 1.40; IV. 1.0; R. 3.58 (Transmission and Performance)
    • Final drive ratio : 3.92 (Transmission and Performance)
    • Driven wheels : Rear wheels (Chassis and Drivetrain)
    • Frame design : Floor assembly / steel unit body (Chassis and Drivetrain)
    • Front-wheel suspension : double wishbone (Chassis and Drivetrain)
    • Rear-wheel suspension : single-joint swing axle with hydropneumatic compensating spring and level control (Chassis and Drivetrain)
    • Brake system (foot brake) : hydraulic dual-circuit ... four-wheel disc brakes (Chassis and Drivetrain)
    • Steering : Recirculating-ball steering (power steering optional) (Chassis and Drivetrain)
    • Wheelbase : 2750 mm (Dimensions and Weights)
    • Length : 4880 mm (Dimensions and Weights)
    • Width : 1845 mm (Dimensions and Weights)
    • Height : 1435 mm (Dimensions and Weights)
    • Front / rear track : 1482 / 1485 mm (Dimensions and Weights)
    • Kerb weight : 1575 kg (Dimensions and Weights)
    • Maximum speed : 190 km/h (Transmission and Performance)
    • Acceleration 0-100 km/h : 11.8 s (Transmission and Performance)
    • Fuel tank: position / capacity : in the rear / 82 l (Engine)
    • Fuel consumption : 11.7 l (Transmission and Performance)
    Accessed 2026-11-12
  2. 2
    Mercedes-Benz Classic M@RS archive – 250 SE Cabriolet Level A
    • 954 cabriolets
    Accessed 2026-11-12

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