Mercedes 280 SE

3.5L

The Mercedes W111 coupé line occupies a unique place in the brand's history. Launched in 1961, it was conceived as the refined, elegant, and more exclusive version of the large "Heckflosse" sedans. While the latter remain famous for their rear fins, the coupés—and convertibles—immediately adopted a more timeless approach: a completely redesigned body, with lower lines and elongated proportions, stripped of stylistic extravagances to achieve an almost classical purity. Designed by Paul Bracq, they were assembled with meticulous care: each body required many hours of manual adjustment, far exceeding the production standards of a sedan. This combination of understated luxury, exemplary finish, and restrained style made the W111 coupés a symbol of European automotive excellence in the 1960s.

It was in this context that the Mercedes 280 SE 3.5 Coupé made its debut in 1969. It represented the ultimate evolution of this family: the pinnacle of Mercedes' expertise before a changing era. The design remained essentially unchanged—pillarless roof, generous glass surfaces, long hood, perfect balance between elegance and robustness—but the arrival of the V8 engine transformed the very nature of the model. The 280 SE 3.5 Coupé was no longer just a grand, luxurious coupé; it also became a machine capable of modern performance and unprecedented ease of handling.

It is also a very rare model. Over its entire production period, between 1969 and 1971, only 3,270 examples of the 280 SE 3.5 coupe were built, which greatly contributes to its current status as a sought-after icon.

The 3.5-liter M116 V8 engine marked a technological breakthrough for Mercedes. Compact, constructed entirely of lightweight alloy, and equipped with Bosch D-Jetronic electronic fuel injection, it produced around 200 horsepower and delivered abundant torque from low revs. This transformed the character of the coupe: more responsive acceleration, greater flexibility, remarkable quietness, and the ability to maintain high cruising speeds in supreme comfort. This V8 inaugurated a lineage that would shape Mercedes for decades, but it was in the W111 that it found its first truly noble and elegant expression.

The 280 SE 3.5 Coupé thus represents the sum of two legacies: that of a timeless, handcrafted design, and that of a mechanical innovation that ushered in a new era. It is precisely this encounter between tradition and modernity that explains the enduring fascination of this model.

This 280 SE is a European (Belgian) version with a 3.5L V8, 4-speed automatic transmission, and is equipped with an original sunroof.

Its history is truly exceptional: delivered new in Mons, Belgium on March 23, 1970, to Mrs. Capiaux, she remained in her possession until 2005, covering only 40,067 km in total. The second and most recent owner drove it just 4,600 km to date. It therefore currently has a total of only 46,409 km, certified by a service booklet and an up-to-date CarPass.

The maintenance logbook was completed from its inception until 2011 by the Mercedes Barbaix garage and then the Mercedes Proot garage in Binche.

The car is in perfect original condition and has low mileage, but has nevertheless undergone some restoration work:

• 1984 – Certified Dinitrol Treatment

• 2003 – 35,000 km: restoration of the front suspension (brakes, shock absorbers, silent blocks)

• 2004 – 37,000 km: new complete exhaust system

• 2005 – 39,000 km: wheel bearings

• 2011 – 40,501 km: last service at a Mercedes dealership

• 2015 – 46,031 km: Distributor overhaul by Bosch, replacement of all relays and wiring, new spark plug wires. New water and oil radiators.

• 2020 – 46,100 km: rear axle overhaul, new heater hoses

• 2025 – 46,400 km: last full service, overhaul of the D-Jetronic system and injectors

It comes with all its original registration documents and booklets. It runs perfectly.

In summary:

• Belgian car delivered new in Mons in 1970

• 2 owners

• Only 46,500 km

• Certified mileage

• Service history completed up to 40,501 km

• In very good original condition

• Works perfectly

More info: https://www.route59.be/all/mercedes-280-se-coupe-3-5l-w111/