Mercedes-Benz W108 buyer's guide

The classic Paul Bracq S-Class sedan — the heart of this collection.

Years: 1965–1972 · Models: 250S, 250SE, 280S, 280SE, 280SEL, and the 280SE 3.5 and 280SEL 4.5 V8s

Overview

The W108 carried Mercedes-Benz through the late 1960s: a clean-lined, formal sedan drawn under Paul Bracq, offered first with six-cylinder engines and, from 1970, with the 3.5 and 4.5-litre V8s. The long-wheelbase SEL adds rear legroom. These cars were built in large numbers, were used hard, and are now bought as the definitive classic Mercedes sedan — solid, comfortable, and still usable daily when properly maintained.

Engines

Six-cylinder 2.5 and 2.8-litre engines in carburetted (S) and mechanically fuel-injected (SE) forms; the M116 3.5-litre and M117 4.5-litre V8s with electronic fuel injection in the last years.

What to check

• Rust in the floor pans, the rocker and sill panels, and the trunk floor — ideally checked on a lift, with a magnet. Structural rust is the most expensive problem on these cars.
• On injected sixes, ask about hot starting and any service history for the mechanical fuel injection pump, and check the engine oil for fuel contamination.
• On the 280S, a poor cold idle and hesitation usually mean warped twin Zenith carburettors and vacuum leaks; allow for a specialist rebuild.
• Front suspension wear — the king-pin front end needs regular greasing and shows neglect quickly.
• The heater blower and controls, which are buried behind the dashboard, and the wood veneer on the dash and window frames, which is expensive specialist work when cracked.

Values

The V8 cars — above all the 280SEL 4.5 — lead the market, followed by low-mileage, well-documented sixes. A factory sunroof, air conditioning, and full service records all add value, and originality counts for more than restoration on all but the very best cars.

Buying tips

Verify the car's identity against its data card before paying a premium for a colour or an option. Long storage is the common story: budget for fuel-system, brake, and seal recommissioning on any car that has sat for years, however good it looks.

See the 54 W108 cars currently listed.