Merk 111 280se 3.5 & 112 300SE differences

[abdoul]

Hi

Please confirm. is it true that the only difference between these two cars is in the suspension, rear ends (perhaps).... but that the body is identical? Please confirm or give all details on the differences.. Thanks

[bikis]

I think those two are the most different coupes. You could compare 112 with 220, 250 and early 280 6 cyl. coupes saying the difference is only drivetrain and suspention (and some chrome). 280se 3.5 has different grill, turn signals/foglights, bumpers, rear lights. If you go into details there are some interior differences too - 3.5 has bigger control knobs, leather wraped instrument cluster, diferent A/C, I think the seats and headrests might be different, different power window controls, different door handle an lock, steering wheel, gear shifter. The later 280se 6cyl. so called "low grill" is the closest to 3.5 coupe (except drivetrain). Which one you've got?

Vilius

[abdoul]

Hi

Thanks for your reply.. I've got a 111 lowgrille 3.5 coupe being restored and picked up a rust free 112 shell and wanted to make one good car out of these two. . I'll have the rest for sale... fenders, grill from the 112.

[Q45Denver]

Originally Posted by abdoul

Hi

Thanks for your reply.. I've got a 111 lowgrille 3.5 coupe being restored and picked up a rust free 112 shell and wanted to make one good car out of these two. . I'll have the rest for sale... fenders, grill from the 112.

As far as the body goes, the hood, grill, fenders and bumpers are all different. Let us know on the fenders and bumpers from your 112, I would be interested if rust free.

[cth350]

what a poor thing to do to a 112! -CTH

[abdoul]

I am ressucitating the 112. I've only got a shell with no bumpers. It's all rust free.. The fenders are almost perfect.. I'll also sell the air suspension.. complete setup. I may sell it as is.. or rebuild it then sell it..

[Q45Denver]

Originally Posted by abdoul

I am ressucitating the 112. I've only got a shell with no bumpers. It's all rust free.. The fenders are almost perfect.. I'll also sell the air suspension.. complete setup. I may sell it as is.. or rebuild it then sell it..

Sounds like a big project. Are you doing most of the work yourself? What were you asking for the two 112 fenders in the pics?

[abdoul]

I am having a friend help me with it. He is in the restoration business and a mercedes nut.

Highest reasonable offer gets them...

[cth350]

Keep the air suspension. Adding an air pump to your 3.5 is pretty simple to do when it's not in the car.

To put a 3.5 into a car designed for a straight 6, you will need to
- Upgrade the brakes
- Change over the steering
- Replace the transmission tunnel
- Make concessions for the radiator & oil cooler. Maybe not with an W112. The consensus is the radiator in the W112 is oversized for its job.

Measure the relative distances of the frame rails in the engine compartment from the base of the axle.

-CTH

PS. If you have an M189 and related parts to sell, I'm a buyer, I'm trying to clean up the engine compartment of my W112 sedan and need spares.

[Q45Denver]

Originally Posted by abdoul

I am having a friend help me with it. He is in the restoration business and a mercedes nut.

Highest reasonable offer gets them...

I was thinking around $300 plus shipping-are there any dents or Bondo?

[abdoul]

Thanks for the reply.... Question for you.. as I am very unfamiliar with the air suspension except what I hear about the cost ofr maintinaing it.. Could you comment on:

• difference in ride quality
• difference in price witth a standard suspension
• difference in handling for spirited driving
• are those differences worth the difference in price?!

Thanks.

I'll very likely keep both.. and store the 3.5 suspension parts and see how far I can go with the air suspension.

Originally Posted by cth350

Keep the air suspension. Adding an air pump to your 3.5 is pretty simple to do when it's not in the car.

To put a 3.5 into a car designed for a straight 6, you will need to
- Upgrade the brakes
- Change over the steering
- Replace the transmission tunnel
- Make concessions for the radiator & oil cooler. Maybe not with an W112. The consensus is the radiator in the W112 is oversized for its job.

Measure the relative distances of the frame rails in the engine compartment from the base of the axle.

-CTH

PS. If you have an M189 and related parts to sell, I'm a buyer, I'm trying to clean up the engine compartment of my W112 sedan and need spares.