MERCEDES-BENZ The W108 and W109 V8: From the 280SE 3.5 to the 300SEL 6.3

Mercedes-Benz W108/W109 V8 Sedans2025 EditionBuyer’s Guide, Model History & Technical DataThinking of buying a V8-powered Mercedes W108 or W109? These elegant sedans can be deeply rewarding classics, but condition matters. Corrosion, neglected mechanical components, aging suspension systems, and poorly executed repairs can turn an attractive example into a costly restoration project.This large format full-color reference combines a detailed 20+ page buyer’s guide with the complete history and technical development of the V8 models, chassis number and data card information, production figures, original brochure excerpts, comparative power and torque charts, and more than 140 recent color photographs.Written by Bernd S. Koehling, author of more than 20 Mercedes-Benz books, it covers:A Comprehensive Buyer’s GuideThe most important areas to inspect before buying a V8 W108 or W109, including bodywork and corrosion, engines, transmissions, suspension, air suspension, interior, originality, and other points where restoration costs can rise quickly.The Complete V8 Model RangeDetailed coverage of the 280SE/SEL 3.5, 300SEL 3.5, the North American 280SE/SEL 4.5 and 300SEL 4.5, and the remarkable 300SEL 6.3.V8 Engines, Technology, and Model DevelopmentThe 3.5-liter, 4.5-liter, and 6.3-liter engines, technical specifications, performance data, torque characteristics, production history, and the engineering differences between the individual models.From Waxenberger to the “Red Pig”The fascinating motorsport history of the 300SEL 6.3: from Mercedes-Benz competition activities under Erich Waxenberger to the AMG Mercedes 300SEL 6.8, the famous “Red Pig” that achieved a class victory and second place overall at the 1971 Spa 24 Hours.Coachbuilt and Unusual VariantsFrom Crayford estate conversions to Pininfarina’s unique 300SEL 6.3 Coupé, the book also explores some of the rarest and most individual interpretations of the W108 and W109.Chassis Numbers, Data Cards, and OriginalityUseful information for identifying a car correctly, decoding its factory specification, and assessing the authenticity of important details.Whether you are considering the purchase of a V8 W108 or W109, restoring one, or simply appreciate the qualities of classic Mercedes-Benz engineering, this book provides a detailed and practical guide to their history, technology, and enduring appeal.Few sedans of their era combined quiet elegance and technical authority as naturally as the V8-powered W108 and W109. Read more