Difference between 108 (280 SEL) and 109 (300 SEL) 4.5?
 

Is there a difference between the two models?

interior appointments such as leather (standard on 109), different wood I believe, and the air suspension (biggest difference). The 109 is more expensive of course.
Thanks
David

And chrome. Several pounds of chrome. They'd chrome plate the driver if he came with the 300sel. -CTH

The rear axle is also different, no compensator spring or hydropneumatic compensator, brake torque reaction on the rear brakes, rear sway bar, air suspension, the front suspension lower control arms are curved to allow room for the air bags.

The self leveling air suspension is the biggest difference. It makes for a magnificent ride. Air has no natural frequency as opposed to steel springs, which do.

There is a big difference in the "chrome" accent trims between the two models.

On the 108's the trim is polished, or anodized aluminum. On the 109's that same trim is polished stainless.

Ugh I guess I could have just looked a few threads down and read about it! The dreaded air suspension!

So on the 108 the trim is possibly salvageble but not on the 109 stainless I guess?

The 109s are beautiful with the burl walnut trim on the dash and the door panels, and the chrome trim on window area on the exterior, but the 4 air valves for the suspension will kill ya in repair costs.
Peter

The other way around Kuan
 

I think the stainless trim is more salvageable. The aluminum trim on my 4.5 has a few spots where the anozidation has worn through, leaving a dull or oxided spot. Stainless, could probably be polished back to near new condition with a little rouge and tripoli.

There are also slight differences in the doors of the 109s so that they accept the chrome trim.

What I mean is that a 280SEL front or rear door won't fit on a 300SEL because it has no provision for the extra chrome trim.

This is an often-overlooked difference between the two cars.

The 300SELs also had a bit more wood on the interiors, and normally used a higher-quality or rarer wood such as burl walnut or macassar ebony instead of the typical maple found on the 108 cars.

Cheers,
Gerry