Hello James,
here are the details when and in which cars these differentials were installed:
http://www.pagode.info/22.htm
I would love to find the standard 3.69 axle that was installed after Nov. 1969 in all 280SL except those shipped to the USA - perfect ratio for a Pagoda.
Rough Translation:
3,69... Factory-installed first on special wish into all 250 SL & 280 SL inserted, afterwards starting from 27,11,69 standard ex factory with 280 SL Exception: Into 280 SL for the USA export factory-installed to 1.7.69 `4.08 axles and starting from 1.7.69 `3.92 axles were built. 280 SL with ZF 5-Gang transmission were delivered factory-installed to 27.11.69 `with 4,08 axle and starting from 12.11.69 `with 3,92 axle.
3,75... Factory-installed in series built into nearly all 230 SL Exception: Into 230 SL with ZF 5-Gang transmission was built the 4.08 axle.
3,92... Factory-installed in series built into all 250 SL & 280 SL, afterwards starting from that 27.11.69 `only on special wish for 280 SL available. Factory-installed built starting from that 27.11.69 `into all 280 SL with ZF 5 course transmission. Exceptions: The 280 SL for the USA export had inserted the 4.08 axle to 1.7.69 `factory-installed. Only starting from that 1.7.69 `in 280 SL factory-installed axle was inserted the 3.92.
4,08... Factory-installed built into most USA export of vehicles, as well as in connection with the ZF 5-Gang transmission Exceptions: 230 SL in the USA export execution were delivered factory-installed with 3,75 axle. 250 SL in the USA export execution were delivered factory-installed with 3,92 axle. 280 SL in the USA export execution were delivered factory-installed starting from 1.7.69 `with 3,92 axle. 280 SL with ZF 5-Gang transmission were delivered starting from 27.11.69 `with 3,92 axle.