M116
V8- 116.9803.5 L · 3,499 cc
200 PS
147 kW · 197 hp at 5,800 rpm
286 N·m
211 lb·ft at 4,000 rpm
Mercedes-Benz Luxury Sedan · Fintail
The fintail era — elegant saloons and coupés.

Sedans progressed from 220 and 220 S through 220 SE and 230 S, while the coupé and cabriolet bodies — styled separately from the four-door finned saloons — became some of the most admired post-war Mercedes-Benz designs. Later 280 SE and 280 SE 3.5 Coupé models added fuel injection and, finally, the M116 V8.
Production spanned 1959 to 1971, with 370,807 W111s built across all body styles. The sedans defined the era; the coupés and cabriolets outlived them in collectors' eyes.

11 model designations across 1959–1971 — engines, chassis codes and production figures for the W111.
| Model | Model years | Chassis | Engine | Transmission | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 220 Sedan | 1959–1965 | 111.010 | 180.940 | 69,691 | |
| 220 S Sedan | 1959–1965 | 111.012 | 180.941 | 161,119 | |
| 220 SE Sedan | 1959–1965 | 111.014 | 127.982 | 66,086 | |
| 220 SE Cabriolet | 1961–1965 | 111.023 | 127.984 | 2,729 | |
| 220 SE Coupé | 1961–1965 | 111.021 | 127.984 | 14,173 | |
| 230 S Sedan | 1965–1968 | 111.010 | 180.947 | 41,107 | |
| 250 SE Coupé | 1965–1967 | 111.021 | 129.980 | 5,259 | |
| 250 SE Cabriolet | 1965–1967 | 111.023 | 129.980 | 954 | |
| 280 SE Cabriolet | 1967–1971 | 111.025 | 130.980 | 1,390 | |
| 280 SE Coupé | 1967–1971 | 111.024 | 130.980 | 3,797 | |
| 280 SE 3.5 Coupé | 1967–1971 | 111.026 | 116.980 | 3,270 |
* The published production figure covers every series of that model; the source does not break it down further.


The M116 as fitted to the W111.
200 PS
147 kW · 197 hp at 5,800 rpm
286 N·m
211 lb·ft at 4,000 rpm