This is an interesting question and not one that I have the answer to.   However from my own observations of RHD models for sale and at shows,  manuals are fairly common in the 220SE, rare in the 250SE and 300SE and then extremely rare for the 280SE, and 280SE 3.5.

I keep notes of the cars that I see for sale, and from my albeit small sample size, I have:

The totals also include cars I do not have the transmission types for.  Data is current as of October 2013.

Leave comments of any cars you know of that you have the chassis number so I can add them to the database.

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I’ve owned a 250SE coupe (LHD), and currently own a 250SE Cabriolet.  I used to think about getting another Coupe to go with it, but the prices have shot up so much to make that less and less realistic.   Given how comparatively rare the right hand drive models of these cars are, I keep a database of each I see for sale or at a show.   But to start with, below are the production numbers of the RHD cars.  I’ve also included how many were officially imported into Australia.

It is interesting to see how these figures get ‘stretched’ by optimistic car dealers!

Australian Delivery cars mean exactly that, a car ordered and delivered through an Australian Mercedes-Benz dealer.   My 250SE, while it has always been an Australian car (albeit a well traveled one), was purchased by a Diplomat posted overseas.  Therefore it is officially classed as an order for a foreign diplomat.   The numbers come from a reliable source, although I have seen a 250SE Cabriolet with a Yorkstar inventory placard.   I am not sure of this car’s story.

Despite the 300SE being the significantly most expensive option, this model was relatively popular in right hand drive countries.  The 300SE is actually a W112, but I include the numbers as it is related.

The sad thing about all this is the number of factory coupes that have been ruined by cutting the roof off them to make a fake cabriolet.   The cabriolet is built very differently and the coupe is beautiful car in its own right.  It is such a shame to see these cars butchered like that.

The W111 Coupe/Cabriolet in Right Hand Drive is a very rare beast.

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