🏷️ Basic Information

Make:

Mercedes-Benz

Model:

114 / 115 Series

Chassis Codes:

W114, W115

Generation:

First Generation (Neue Klasse)

👋 Introduction

Segment:

Mid-size luxury sedan and coupe.

Target Audience:

Discerning buyers seeking reliable, comfortable, and well-engineered premium vehicles. Essential for owners and independent workshops specializing in classic Mercedes-Benz vehicles.

Competitors:

BMW Neue Klasse (E3, E9), Audi 100, Jaguar XJ6, Rover P6.

Vehicle Appeal:

Solid build quality, advanced engineering for its time (e.g., independent suspension, disc brakes), sophisticated styling, comfortable ride, and reputation for longevity.

Manual Value Proposition:

Provides the definitive technical reference for maintaining and repairing these iconic Mercedes-Benz models, crucial for preserving their classic status and ensuring reliable operation.

📋 Manual Details

Coverage:

Complete service, repair, and maintenance for Mercedes-Benz 114/115 series vehicles.

Page Count:

Extensive (typical comprehensive factory manuals for this era can range from 500 to over 1500 pages, depending on specific volume and scope).

Type:

Factory Service/Workshop Manual

Language:

English (likely based on typical export market manuals, original may be German)

Format:

PDF

📖 Manual Coverage

Engine:

Detailed diagnostics, repair procedures, component overhauls, and specifications for all gasoline and diesel engines offered in the W114/W115 chassis.

Transmission:

Repair and maintenance of manual and automatic transmissions, including clutch, gearbox, torque converter, and related systems.

Fuel System:

Carburetor (Zenith, Solex) and fuel injection (Bosch K-Jetronic in later models) system diagnostics, repair, and tuning. Diesel injection pump and injector servicing.

Electrical System:

Wiring diagrams, troubleshooting guides, starter, alternator, battery, ignition system, lighting, instrumentation, and auxiliary electrical components.

Suspension And Steering:

Front and rear suspension systems (including independent front suspension, swing axle rear on early models, semi-trailing arm rear on later models), steering gear, power steering.

Brakes:

Hydraulic brake system, disc brakes (front and often rear), brake adjustments, fluid replacement, and troubleshooting.

Body And Chassis:

Body repair, panel replacement, interior trim, glass, doors, locks, body sealing, and chassis component identification.

Maintenance:

Scheduled maintenance tasks, fluid changes (oil, coolant, brake fluid, transmission fluid), filter replacements, lubrication points, tune-up procedures.

Repair:

Step-by-step repair instructions for major and minor mechanical and electrical components, including engine rebuilds, transmission overhauls, brake system repairs, and electrical diagnostics.

Troubleshooting:

Diagnostic charts and procedures for identifying and resolving common and uncommon problems across all vehicle systems.

Depth:

Comprehensive factory-level detail suitable for professional technicians and advanced DIY mechanics. Includes torque specifications, clearances, timing settings, diagnostic values, and detailed illustrations.

📊 Manual Specifications

Quality:

High-resolution PDF, ensuring clarity of text and diagrams. Typically searchable text for efficient information retrieval.

Printability:

Designed to be printable, allowing users to create physical copies of specific sections or the entire manual.

Binding:

N/A (Digital PDF format)

Paper Type:

N/A (Digital PDF format)

⚙️ Engine Specifications

Engine Codes Gasoline:

M114 (2.3L inline-6), M115 (2.0L inline-4), M116 (3.5L V8 - rare in W114/115 but possible conversions or specific markets).

Engine Codes Diesel:

OM615 (2.0L inline-4 diesel), OM616 (2.4L inline-4 diesel), OM617 (3.0L inline-5 diesel).

Horsepower Range:

Approximately 90 hp (2.0L diesel) to 120 hp (2.3L gasoline) for standard variants. V8 variants could exceed 200 hp.

Torque Range:

Dependent on engine variant, typically ranging from 150 Nm to 190 Nm for common four and six-cylinder engines.

Gasoline Induction:

Single or dual downdraft carburetors (Zenith, Solex) for most models. Later models and specific variants may feature Bosch D-Jetronic or K-Jetronic fuel injection.

Diesel Injection:

Bosch inline injection pumps and injectors.

Bore Stroke:

Varies by engine; e.g., M115 2.0L: 87mm x 83.6mm; OM615 2.0L: 87mm x 83.6mm.

Compression Ratio:

Typical gasoline: 8.0:1 to 9.0:1. Typical diesel: 20:1 to 22:1.

🔧 Transmission

Transmission Type Standard:

4-speed or 5-speed manual transmission.

Transmission Type Optional:

4-speed automatic transmission (often referred to as 'Hydrak' or similar automatic units).

Clutch Type:

Single dry plate clutch for manual transmissions.

Transmission Fluid Spec Manual:

GL-4 Gear Oil (e.g., SAE 80 or 90, specific grade as per manual).

Transmission Fluid Spec Automatic:

Dexron II or equivalent automatic transmission fluid (ATF).

📐 Dimensions

Body Styles:

4-door Sedan (Strich Acht), 2-door Coupe (Strich Acht Coupe), Long-wheelbase Sedan (e.g., 230 V for taxi/limousine service).

Wheelbase:

Standard: Approx. 2710 mm (106.7 in); Long wheelbase: Approx. 3150 mm (124.0 in).

Curb Weight:

Approximately 1300 kg - 1500 kg (2866 lbs - 3307 lbs) depending on engine and body style.

🛡️ Safety Features

Crash Test Era:

Vehicles from this era predated standardized crash test ratings like NCAP. Safety features were built according to Mercedes-Benz's stringent internal standards of the time.

Braking System:

Standard disc brakes on front wheels, drums on rear. Some later models offered rear discs.

Steering System:

Recirculating ball steering, often with optional power assistance.

Body Construction:

Reinforced passenger safety cell, energy-absorbing steering column, safety glass throughout.

Seat Belts:

Standard front seat belts; rear seat belts often optional or introduced later in the production run.

💡 Technology Features

Original Audio:

Period-correct AM/FM radios, often with optional cassette players or more advanced (for the time) stereo systems.

Advanced Features Era:

Limited by modern standards. Key advancements for the time included power steering, automatic transmission, and optional air conditioning. ABS was not typically available on this generation.

Connectivity Features:

None by modern definition. Primarily mechanical and electrical systems.

🔧 Maintenance

Oil Change Interval Gasoline:

Typically every 5,000 - 7,500 km (3,000 - 5,000 miles) or annually.

Oil Change Interval Diesel:

Typically every 7,500 - 10,000 km (5,000 - 6,000 miles) or annually.

Major Service Milestones:

Refer to manual for specific mileage/time intervals for spark plug replacement, ignition system checks, valve adjustments (if applicable), cooling system flush, brake fluid replacement.

Engine Oil Type:

API SE/SF or higher. Viscosity typically SAE 10W-40 or 20W-50, depending on climate. Diesel engines may specify oils with higher detergency.

Coolant Type:

Ethylene glycol based antifreeze/coolant, typically a 50/50 mix with distilled water. Mercedes-specific coolant may be recommended.

Brake Fluid Type:

DOT 3 or DOT 4 hydraulic brake fluid.

Common Wear Items:

Front suspension bushings, ball joints, steering idler arm, exhaust system components, fuel lines, vacuum lines, heater control valves, and climate control systems (if equipped).

Rust Prone Areas:

Wheel arches, sills, door bottoms, trunk floor, and around the windshield and rear window seals.

Electrical Quirks:

Aging wiring insulation, faulty relays, and issues with the dashboard instruments or switches can occur due to age.

📚 Vehicle History

Mercedes Benz Legacy:

Building on a long history of automotive innovation and engineering excellence, Mercedes-Benz established itself as a leader in luxury and durability.

Introduction Year:

1968

Product Line Context:

The 114/115 series, codenamed 'Neue Klasse' (New Class), replaced the W110 Fintail series and introduced a more modern design language and improved engineering, setting the stage for future Mercedes-Benz sedans.

Facelift Updates:

Minor updates and mechanical refinements occurred throughout the production run, including introduction of fuel injection and larger engines.

Production Years:

1968 - 1976 (W114/W115) followed by the W123.

Production Volume:

Over 1.9 million units produced globally across all variants, making it a highly successful model for Mercedes-Benz.

🏆 Awards & Recognition

Automotive Press Acclaim:

Praised by automotive press upon release for its solid engineering, comfort, and build quality, establishing Mercedes-Benz's reputation for durability in the premium segment.

Reliability Perception:

The W114/W115 series is widely regarded as one of the most reliable and durable Mercedes-Benz models ever produced, with many examples still in regular use today.

Classic Status:

Recognized by classic car enthusiasts and organizations as a significant and desirable model from the golden era of Mercedes-Benz engineering.