The additional chrome side trim and wheel-arch moldings are seen as the W112's visual identity, described as jewelry that signals its exclusivity over the W111. Purists object when that brightwork is added to a W111 to imitate a 300SE, and a missing wheel-arch trim is repeatedly flagged as a fault on 300SE cars.
Extra chrome and brightwork as the W112 signature
Mercedes-Benz 300SE (W112) Fintail · cosmetic