M189
Inline-6- 189.988 3.0 L · 2,996 cc
170 PS
125 kW · 168 hp at 5,400 rpm
249 N·m
184 lb·ft at 4,000 rpm
Mercedes-Benz Luxury LWB · 300 SEL
W109
Air suspension, a long wheelbase, and the 6.3.
- Production
- 1966–1972
- Built
- 23,550
- Body
- LWB sedan
- Chassis
- W109
The W109 extended the W108's luxury formula on a longer wheelbase — and then rewrote the rules entirely when Erich Waxenberger installed the 600's M100 6.3-liter V8 in a formal saloon body.
Most W109s were long-wheelbase six- and eight-cylinder models — the alloy-block 300 SEL, the 2.8 that replaced it, the 3.5 V8 that outsold every other version, and the North American 4.5 — aimed at owners who wanted rear-seat space and chauffeur duty without stepping up to the hand-built W100. The 300 SEL 6.3 was something else: a Q-car capable of genuine supercar pace in a three-box suit.
Production over 1966–1972 came to 23,550 cars.
Every model.
5 model designations across 1966–1972 — engines, chassis codes and production figures for the W109.
| Model | Model years | Chassis | Engine | Transmission | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 300 SEL | 1966–1967 | 109.015 | 189.988 | 2,369 | |
| 300 SEL 2.8 | 1968–1970 | 109.016 | 130.981 | 2,519 | |
| 300 SEL 3.5 | 1969–1972 | 109.056 | 116.981 | 9,583 | |
| 300 SEL 4.5 | 1971–1972 | 109.057 | 117.981 | 2,553 | |
| 300 SEL 6.3 | 1967–1972 | 109.018 | 100.981 | 6,526 |
* The published production figure covers every series of that model; the source does not break it down further.
Engines.
Two injected sixes and three V8s — from the alloy-block M189 to the 6.3-litre M100 — as fitted to the W109.
M130
Inline-6- 130.981 2.8 L · 2,778 cc
170 PS
125 kW · 168 hp at 5,750 rpm
240 N·m
177 lb·ft at 4,500 rpm
M116
V8- 116.981 3.5 L · 3,499 cc
200 PS
147 kW · 197 hp at 5,800 rpm
286 N·m
211 lb·ft at 4,000 rpm
M117
V8- 117.981 4.5 L · 4,520 cc
198 PS
146 kW · 195 hp at 4,500 rpm
358 N·m
264 lb·ft at 3,000 rpm
M100
V8- 100.981 6.3 L · 6,332 cc
250 PS
184 kW · 247 hp at 4,000 rpm
500 N·m
369 lb·ft at 2,800 rpm