Joe:

I'll answer what I know.

S -- shwer or heavy (meaning large), E= Einsprtiz, or fuel injected.

S models have carbs, SE models are fuel injected, mechanical except for the 3.5 and 4.5 V8 engines.

Trim level was about the same, I think -- wood trim around doors, MB Tex or leather seats available, etc. Rear compensator (self leveling) was an option on all models, I think. Main diff was the engines.

The 300 was the top of the line, but the only exterior difference is the presence of aluminum trim completely covering the door frames instead of just the inner portion. Wood trim was often Macassar Ebony or Walnut burl instead of French Walnut, probably only came with leather seats. Air suspension was pretty much standard on the 300, although I think it may have been an option on the 280SE v8 cars. Only the 300 could be had with the 6.3L mechanical injection engine.

Otherwise, they all have kingpin front ends, swing axle independent rear suspension, etc. None have power seats.

The W114/W115 cars replaced the previous small sedan line, not the S class. That was replaced by the W116s.

The W108 started life in 1962 or 63 as the W111 coupe, started in production as fourdoor sedans in 1966. Production ended in 1972. The W115/114 line started production in 1968, ran to 1976. Replaced by the W123 chassis in 1976.

Peter

__________________
1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!