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Mercedes-Benz W114/W115
Mercedes-Benz 200 (pre-facelift)
Overview
Manufacturer	Daimler-Benz
Also called	Mercedes-Benz Mini (Indonesia)
Production	1968–1976 1,919,056 built Saloon: 1,852,008 Coupé: 67,048
Assembly	Stuttgart, West Germany Bremen, West Germany Sindelfingen, West Germany East London, South Africa Setúbal, Portugal (Movauto) Barcelona, Venezuela (CKD) González Catán, Argentina
Designer	Paul Bracq
Body and chassis
Class	Executive car (E) Grand tourer (W114/W115 Coupé)
Body style	4-door sedan 2-door coupé 4-door limousine
Layout	FR layout
Related	Mercedes-Benz W108/W109
Powertrain
Engine	Petrol 2.0 L M115 I4 2.2 L M115 I4 2.3 L M115 I4 2.3 L M180 I6 2.5 L M114 I6 2.7 L M110 I6 2.8 L M130 I6 Diesel 2.0 L OM615 I4 2.2 L OM615 I4 2.4 L OM616 I4 3.0 L OM617 I5
Transmission	4-speed 722.1 automatic 4-speed 722.2 automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,750 mm (108.3 in) 3,400 mm (133.9 in) (limousine)
Length	4,680 mm (184.3 in) 4,970 mm (195.5 in) (US bumpers) 5,330 mm (209.8 in) (limousine)
Width	1,772 mm (69.75 in)
Height	1,441 mm (56.75 in)
Curb weight	1,350–1,465 kg (2,976.2–3,229.8 lb)
Chronology
Predecessor	Mercedes-Benz W110
Successor	Mercedes-Benz W123

The Mercedes-Benz W114 and W115 are the internal designations Mercedes-Benz used for a generation of front-engine, rear-drive, five-passenger sedans and coupés introduced in 1968, with three-box styling by Paul Bracq — succeeding the W110 models introduced in 1961; and manufactured until model year 1976, when the W123 was released.

W114/W115s were distinguished in the marketplace by nameplates relating to their engine size. W114 models featured six-cylinder engines and were marketed as the 230, 250, and 280. W115 models featured four-cylinder engines and were marketed as the 200, 220, 230, and 240, with diesel models carrying a D designation, as distinct from gasoline/petrol models.

When Mercedes introduced the W114/115 in 1968, they marketed sedans in two size classes (W114/W115 and S-Class) and marketed the W114/115 range as New Generation Models, ultimately the only model of the new generation. Mercedes used a '/8' on the W114/115 ID plates, indicating their 1968 launch year, giving rise to their '/8' or 'slash eight' nicknames — and the German nickname Strich Acht, loosely translated into English as stroke eight.

History

The W114/W115 models were the first post-war Mercedes-Benz production car to use a newly engineered suspension, not derived from preceding models. The new format of semi-trailing rear arms and ball-joint front end first displayed in the W114/W115 would be used in all new Mercedes passenger car models until the development of the multi-link rear suspensions of the 1980s. The W108/109 S-Class of the 280S/8, 280SE/8 and 300SEL/8 (and W113 230SL, 250SL and 280SL "Pagoda") would be the last of the low-pivot swing axle and king pin/double wishbone front ends. The next S-Class, the W116, had the same engineering as the W114/115, but using a larger, separate platform.

The Mercedes-Benz W114/W115 was the mid-sized saloon model for Mercedes, positioned below the S-Class. Mercedes also launched its first 5-cylinder diesel engine OM617 in this chassis. It followed heavily in the direction set by the W108/109 S-class, which was launched in 1965 and heralded the new design idiom. The car was designed by French auto designer Paul Bracq who was chief designer at Mercedes-Benz for models from 1957 to 1967, a period that included models such as the Grosser Mercedes-Benz 600. Bracq was also responsible for BMW designs (1970–74) and Peugeot designs (1974–96).

Mercedes introduced a coupé variant of the W114 in 1969, featuring a longer boot lid and available with either a 2.5 or 2.8 litre six-cylinder engine. While a classic and understated design these generally cost less than the W113-based 280 SL model that ran until 1971, and its successor, the 3.5 or 4.5 litre V8 Mercedes SL R107/C107 (1971–1989) roadster and coupé. While a 'hard-top' unlike the fully convertible SL, the pillarless design allowed all the windows to be lowered completely for open air motoring. Only 67,048 coupés were manufactured from 1969 to 1976 (vs. 1,852,008 saloons). Of these 24,669 were 280C and 280CE (top of the range), and 42,379 were the lesser 250C and 250CE (A Mercedes-Benz 220D pickup on the W115 chassis was produced briefly in Argentina in the 1970s.)

The W114 received a facelift in 1973 – with a lower bonnet-line, lower and broader grill, a single front bumper to replace the double bumpers, lower placement of the headlamps, A-pillar treatment for keeping the side windows clear, removal of the quarter-windows in the front doors, ribbed tail lights to minimize occlusion of the tail lights with road dirt, and larger side mirrors. The interior received inertia reel belts and a new padded steering wheel with a four-hole design.

The Mercedes-Benz W115 is known to be a very durable car. In 2004 Greek taxi driver Gregorios Sachinidis donated his 1976 Mercedes-Benz 240D to the Mercedes-Benz Museum Collection with 4.6 million kilometres (2.9 million miles) on the odometer, which is recognised as the Mercedes-Benz with the highest recorded mileage known to date.

Innovations

Like its larger variant, this car also boasted advanced technological innovations. 1969 saw the introduction of the Bosch D-Jetronic fully electronic fuel injection system into the 250CE. This was the first ever production Mercedes-Benz to use this system.

Other innovations in the W114/W115 models include a center console (a first in a Mercedes saloon), and ribbed taillights in 1974, designed to better repel dirt and debris. All coupé models used the 6-cylinder engine (and thus were W114s) and were designated with a "C" in the model name.

North America

In 1968, Diesel-engined options were added to the W114/W115 line, introduced in North America as the 220D, 240D and 300D. These models from the start had unique headlights, utilizing a sealed-beam lamp instead of the H4 type used in the European models. Bumpers changed frequently and there were at least three different bumpers used over the production run for the North American market. The 1974 model year brought significantly larger bumpers due to new DOT requirements.

North American 220Ds and 240Ds were offered with a 4-speed manual or 4-speed automatic, whereas all 5-cylinder 300D models were equipped with the 4-speed automatic without a manual option.

Models

W114

W115

W114 & W115 long-wheelbase models

See also

• Mercedes-Benz W110
• Mercedes-Benz W123

References

Footnotes

1. Available only in North America before 05/1972.

Notes

1. Cardew, Basil (October 1974). "Mercedes-Benz 240D". Daily Express Motor Show Review 1975 Cars: 27.
2. ^ "Mercedes-Benz /8 Classic Cars for Sale". Classic Trader.
3. ^ "W 114 / W 115 sedans series 1". Mercedes-Benz Classic Wiki. Archived from the original on 29 January 2013.
4. Taylor 1985.
5. "Here's the greatest car painter, Paul Bracq!". IDcenter.co.jp. Archived from the original on 29 April 2012. Retrieved 9 May 2012.
6. "Mercedes Benz Valuation and Pricing Guide". Uniquecarsandparts.com.au. Retrieved 1 October 2010.
7. "Mercedes Benz Argentina". Auto-historia.com.ar (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 2 February 2017. Retrieved 29 October 2017.
8. Wermelskirchen, Axel (24 September 2004). "Das sagenhafte Taxi des Gregorios Sachinidis". Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (in German). Retrieved 5 June 2019.
9. Torchinsky, Jason (2022-10-07). "Today's Taillights: Those Wonderful Ribbed Mercedes-Benz Taillights". The Autopian. Retrieved 2024-03-24.

Bibliography

General

• Barrett, Frank (1998). Illustrated Buyer's Guide Mercedes-Benz. Motorbooks International Illustrated Buyer's Guide series (2nd ed.). Osceola, WI, USA: MBI Publishing. ISBN 0-7603-0451-3.
• Clarke, R.M., ed. (1987). On Mercedes 1963-1970. Road & Track Series. Cobham, Surrey, UK: Brooklands Books. ISBN 1-869826-41-8.
• ——————, ed. (1987). On Mercedes 1971-1979. Road & Track Series. Cobham, Surrey, UK: Brooklands Books. ISBN 1-869826-42-6.
• Hofner, Heribert; Schrader, Halwart (2005). Mercedes-Benz Automobile [Mercedes-Benz Automobiles] (in German). Vol. Band 2: von 1964 bis heute . Königswinter, Germany: Heel Verlag. ISBN 3898804194.
• ——————— (2010). Mercedes-Benz Typenkunde [Mercedes-Benz Type Study] (in German). Vol. Band 1. Die Modelle der Mittelklasse von 1947 bis 1986, 170 V bis Baureihe 123 . Bielefeld, Germany: Delius Klasing. ISBN 9783768832250.
• ——————— (2012). Mercedes-Benz Strich-8 Modelle 200-280 [Mercedes-Benz Stroke 8 Models 200-280]. Autos, die noch Typen waren series (in German). Königswinter, Germany: Heel Verlag. ISBN 9783868522945.
• Kurze, Peter; Schrader, Halwart (2012). Mercedes-Benz /8 W 114/115: Perfektion von ihrer schönsten Seite [Mercedes-Benz /8 W 114/115: Perfection from its most beautiful side]. Bewegte Zeiten series (in German). Bielefeld, Germany: Delius Klasing. ISBN 9783768835107.
• Larimer, Fred (2004). Mercedes-Benz Buyer's Guide: Roadsters, Coupes, and Convertibles. St. Paul, MN, USA: MBI Publishing. ISBN 0760318115.
• Meredith, Laurence (2003). Mercedes-Benz Saloons: The Classic Models of the 1960s and 1970s. Crowood AutoClassic Series. Ramsbury, Marlborough, UK: The Crowood Press. ISBN 1861265182.
• Niemann, Harry (2006). Personenwagen von Mercedes-Benz: Automobillegenden und Geschichten seit 1886 [Passenger Cars from Mercedes-Benz: Automobile Legends and Stories since 1886] (in German). Stuttgart: Motorbuch Verlag. ISBN 3613025965.
• Nitske, W. Robert (1995). Mercedes-Benz Production Models Book 1946-1995 (4th ed.). Osceola, WI, USA: MBI Publishing. ISBN 0-7603-0245-6.
• Oswald, Werner (2001). Deutsche Autos [German Cars] (in German). Vol. Band 4: 1945–1990 Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Porsche und andere . Stuttgart: Motorbuch Verlag. ISBN 3613021315.
• ——————— (2001). Mercedes-Benz Personenwagen [Mercedes-Benz Passenger Cars] (in German). Vol. Band 2: 1945–1985 . Stuttgart: Motorbuch Verlag. ISBN 3613021684.
• Rohde, Michael; Koch, Detlef (2000). Mercedes-Benz. Typenkompass series (in German). Vol. Band 1. Personenwagen 1945 - 1975 . Stuttgart: Motorbuch Verlag. ISBN 361302019X.
• Rohde, Michael (2016). Mercedes-Benz /8: Mercedes für Millionen [Mercedes-Benz /8: Mercedes for Millions] (in German). Stuttgart: Motorbuch Verlag. ISBN 9783613039100.
• Sacardi, Cajetan (2009). Mercedes-Benz /8: 1968–1976. Schrader-Typen-Chronik series (in German). Stuttgart: Motorbuch Verlag. ISBN 9783613030251.
• Schlegelmilch, Rainer W. ; Lehbrink, Hartmut; von Osterroth, Jochen (2013). Mercedes (revised ed.). Königswinter, Germany: Ullmann Publishing. ISBN 978-3-8480-0267-2.
• Storz, Alexander F. (2020). Mercedes-Benz /8: Der Millionen-Seller [Mercedes-Benz /8: the seller in millions] (in German). Stuttgart: Motorbuch Verlag. ISBN 9783613043152.
• Taylor, James (1985). Mercedes-Benz since 1945: A Collector's Guide. Vol. 2: The 1960s. Croydon, UK: Motor Racing Publications. ISBN 0-900549-96-3.
• —————— (2021). Mercedes-Benz W114 and 115: The Complete Story. Crowood AutoClassic Series. Ramsbury, Marlborough, UK: The Crowood Press. ISBN 9781785008245.
• Viehweg, Christof (2014). Mercedes Strich-Acht W 114/115: Typengeschichte und Technik [Mercedes Stroke Eight W 114/115: Type History and Technology] (in German). München: GeraMond. ISBN 9783862456987.

Workshop manuals

• Ball, Kenneth (1978). Mercedes-Benz 220/8 1968-72. Owners Workshop Manual series (2nd, fully rev. ed.). Brighton, UK: Autobooks. ISBN 0851479901.
• Chilton Automotive Editorial Staff (1974). Mercedes-Benz: 1968-73 All 220, 230, 250, 280, 300, 350 and 450 models, gasoline and diesel engines. Chilton's Repair & Tune-Up Guide Series. Radnor, PA, USA: Chilton Book Co. ISBN 0-8019-5907-1.
• Freeman, Kerry A.; Rivele, Richard J.; Hallinger, Jeffrey W., eds. (1983). Mercedes-Benz: 1959-70 All 190, 200, 220, 230, 250, 280 and 300 models, gasoline and diesel engines. Chilton's Repair & Tune-Up Guide Series. Radnor, PA, USA: Chilton Book Co. ISBN 0801960657.
• Haynes, John H.; Strasman, Peter G. (1987). Mercedes-Benz 230, 250 and 280 1968-1972: 6-Cylinder sohc Sedan, Coupe, Roadster. Haynes Service and Repair Manual Series. Sparkford, UK; Newbury Park, Calif., USA: Haynes Publishing. ISBN 9780856963469.
• Korp, Dieter (1980). Mercedes-Benz: 190 Dc / 200D / 220 D / 240 D bis 1976. Jetzt helfe ich mir selbst series, Band 24 (in German). Stuttgart: Motorbuch Verlag. ISBN 3879430632.
• ————— (1980). Mercedes-Benz: Vierzylinder '68-'76 200 / 220 /230.4. Jetzt helfe ich mir selbst series, Band 38 (in German). Stuttgart: Motorbuch Verlag. ISBN 3879433089.
• Mellon, Thomas A, ed. (2001). Mercedes: Coupes/Sedans/Wagons, 1974-84 Repair Manual. Chilton Total Car Care Series. Radnor, PA, USA: Chilton; Sparkford, UK: Haynes Publishing. ISBN 0-8019-9076-9.
• Mercedes (1968 – 1975) 200 D/8 / 220 D/8. Reparaturanleitung series, Band 172, 173. (in German). Zug, Switzerland: Verlag Bucheli. 1982. ISBN 3716812331.
• Mercedes 200-8/220-8 (1968 bis Juli 1973). Reparaturanleitung series, Band 182, 183. (in German). Zug, Switzerland: Verlag Bucheli. 2013. ISBN 9783716812426.
• Mercedes 200/230.4 (ab August 1973 bis 1975). Reparaturanleitung series, Band 249. (in German). Zug, Switzerland: Verlag Bucheli. 2013. ISBN 9783716813096.
• Mercedes Diesel Serie 115 1968 bis 1975 200 D-8/220 D-8. Reparaturanleitung series, Band 1048. (in German). Zug, Switzerland: Verlag Bucheli. 2012. ISBN 9783716817827.
• Mercedes-Benz Technical Companion. Cambridge, MA, USA: Bentley Publishers. 2005. ISBN 978-0-8376-1033-7.

External links

• Curbside Classic: 1970 Mercedes-Benz 220D – Ride In Teutonic Luxury (With 65 HP) – a retrospective of the W114
• Strich Acht Club Deutschland (in German)
• Mercedes Benz W114, W115 enthusiast Website and Forum (in English)
• Stroke Eight Site

• Mercedes-Benz model codes
• Mercedes-Benz vehicles
• Executive cars
• Cars introduced in 1968
• 1970s cars
• Limousines
• Rear-wheel-drive vehicles
• Coupés