Mercedes-Benz
280 SE 3.5 Coupé (W 111)

Why it matters

The 280 SE 3.5 Coupé was the top version of the W 111 coupé, carrying the new 3.5-litre V8 with 200 hp, the first engine larger than three litres in a post-war Mercedes-Benz coupé according to RM Sotheby's. The archive counts 3,270 built from 1969 to 1971, and it closed the ten-year run of the 111 and 112 series coupés and convertibles.

How rare is it?

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

Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.

Photos

Exterior, interior and detail photos with their licences.

• Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 Coupé (W 111) (Wikimedia Commons search)
  Photo: MrWalkr · CC BY-SA 4.0
• Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 Coupé (W 111) (Wikimedia Commons search)
  Photo: Ermell · CC BY-SA 4.0
• Mercedes-Benz 280 SE 3.5 Coupé (W 111) (Wikimedia Commons search)
  Photo: Ermell · CC BY-SA 4.0

Production

Every figure says what it counts.

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

History

The 3.5-litre coupé was introduced in September 1969 alongside the convertible. The archive lists production from August 1969 (series from November 1969) to July 1971, with launch prices of DM 30,636 in September 1969, DM 32,023.50 in August 1970 and DM 33,688.50 in January 1971. A four-speed manual gearbox was standard and a four-speed automatic was optional.

RM Sotheby's describes the pillarless body as a Paul Bracq design and cites Car and Driver's 1970 review calling the car "astonishingly agile". Bonhams says the 3.5-litre V8, with a cast-iron block and aluminium heads, was launched in the coupé, the cabriolet and the 300 SEL in 1969.

Technical specifications

Engine

Transmission & drivetrain

Chassis, body & dimensions

Performance

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

Identification guide

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

The archive type is 111.026 (design name W 111 E 35/1) with the M 116 E 35 / 116.980 V8 engine. Chassis numbers in the Bonhams lot and in the Australian RHD registry follow the pattern 111026-12-xxxxxx (for example 111026-12-001948) and 111 026 2x xxxxxx for RHD cars. The archive lists 2,750 mm wheelbase, 4,905 mm length, 1,410 mm height and 1,570 kg kerb weight, with 6 J x 14 rims on 185 V 14 tyres. The coupé has the manual gearbox as standard (top speed 210 km/h), and RM Sotheby's describes the four-speed manual of a Paris car as unusual. Light-alloy wheels were optional from August 1970.

Sources

Each number links to the exact facts it supports.

1. 1
   280 SE 3.5 Coupé / W 111 E 35/1, 1969 - 1971 (model page) Level A Mercedes-Benz AG, Mercedes-Benz Public Archive (Classic M@RS)

   • Units produced : 3270
   • Engine type : M 116 E 35 / 116.980 (Engine)
   • Configuration : front, longitudinal; vertical (Engine)
   • Number of cylinders / arrangement : 8 / 90° V (Engine)
   • Total displacement : 3499 cc (Engine)
   • Bore x Stroke : 92 x 65.8 mm (Engine)
   • Compression ratio : 9.5 (Engine)
   • Number of valves / arrangement : 1 intake, 1 exhaust / overhead (Engine)
   • Fuel system : Manifold injection, electronically controlled (Bosch D-Jetronic) (Engine)
   • Rated output : 200 hp at 5800 rpm (Engine)
   • Rated torque : 29.2 mkg at 4000 rpm (Engine)
   • Transmission type : change-speed gear (Transmission and Performance)
   • Gearing : 4-speed manual transmission (standard); 4-speed automatic (optional) (Transmission and Performance)
   • Gear ratios : I. 3.96; II. 2.34; III. 1.44; IV. 1.0; R. 3.72 (Transmission and Performance)
   • Final drive ratio : 3.69; later 3.46 (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 power steering (Chassis and Drivetrain)
   • Wheelbase : 2750 mm (Dimensions and Weights)
   • Length : 4905 mm (Dimensions and Weights)
   • Width : 1845 mm (Dimensions and Weights)
   • Height : 1410 mm (Dimensions and Weights)
   • Front / rear track : 1482 / 1485 mm (Dimensions and Weights)
   • Kerb weight : 1570 kg (Dimensions and Weights)
   • Maximum speed : 210 km/h (Transmission and Performance)
   • Acceleration 0-100 km/h : 9 s (Transmission and Performance)
   • Fuel tank: position / capacity : in the rear / 82 l (Engine)
   • Fuel consumption : 13.0 l (Transmission and Performance)

   Accessed 2026-11-12
2. 2
   Mercedes-Benz Classic M@RS archive – 280 SE 3.5 Coupé Level A

   • 3270 coupés

   Accessed 2026-11-12