Mercedes - Mercedes W108 / 109
The Mercedes W108 and W109 range was built from 1965 and fall between the earlier Mercedes Adenauer range and the later 600 model. There were 2 wheelbase lengths starting in 1965. Standard W108 (which normally had the smaller engine in models 250S and 250SE, 280S, 280SE and 280SEL (although there was a 300SEb also), and the always higher specification (with the Mercedes self leveling suspension) long wheelbase W109 which had the 3 litre engine 300SEL. The big 6.3 V8 engine in the W109 chassis was the Mercedes 300SEL. From 1967 onward the 250S and 250SE models became the 280S and 280SE, while the 280SEb was dropped from the range. Due to the importance of the American market and therefore the more stringent emission controls of the USA, the 3.5 litre engine was replaced with a 4.5 litre, detuned so as to cope with the lower octane fuel usually available in the USA, so on balance the car ended up at the same performance level as the 3.5 engine cars had over in Europe. Production of the Mercedes W108 and W109 cars ended in 1972.
Tyre sizes for Mercedes W108 and W109 models are:
- Mercedes 250S and 250SE tyre size 185R14
- Mercedes 300SEB tyre size 185R14
- Mercedes 280S , 280SE and 280SEL tyre size 185R14
- Mercedes 280SE 3.5 and Mercedes 280SE 4.5 tyre size 205/70R14, but 215/70VR14 was an option
- Mercedes 280SEL 3.5 and 280SEL 4.5 tyre size 185R14 but tyre size 205/70VR14 was an option
- Mercedes 300SE and 300SEL (2.8 litre and 3 litre) 6 cylinder, tyre size 185R14
- Mercedes 300 SEL 6.3 tyre size 205/70VR14
- Mercedes 300SEL 3.5 and 300SEL 4.5 tyre size 205/70VR14
Blockley produces these tyre sizes for all these Mercedes W108/W109 which is 185HR14 in standard and whitewall types, and also the wider 205/70VR14 tyre size.
