Overview & Reviews

"Oh Lord, won't you buy me a Mercedes-Benz?" That's the opening line of "Mercedes-Benz," a song most famously recorded by singer Janis Joplin in the early 1970s. The tune gently poked fun at materialism and our desire for the finer things in life. It's fitting that the renowned German marque figures prominently in the lyric. Mercedes-Benz has long been known for crafting vehicles that emphasize luxury and refinement. For many, its vehicles are sleek symbols of status, success and good taste.

In January of 1886, Karl Benz unveiled the world's first automobile, a three-wheeled vehicle dubbed the Benz Patent Motor Car. A few months later, Gottlieb Daimler and his chief engineer Wilhelm Maybach rolled out a four-wheeled vehicle powered by his Daimler engine. The first Mercedes was crafted in 1901, shortly after Daimler's death. Built by Maybach, the car was commissioned by Emil Jellinek, one of Daimler's primary distributors, and was ultimately named after Jellinek's daughter, Mercedes.

In 1926, the companies founded by Daimler and Benz merged to form Daimler-Benz AG, and the Mercedes-Benz brand was born. The company's insignia was a three-pointed star wreathed in a laurel; the star was dreamed up by Daimler years earlier, and its three points signified the fact that his engines were used in vehicles that traveled land, air and sea.

Right from the start, the Mercedes-Benz name was synonymous with automotive excellence. One of the automaker's earliest vehicles, the 1931 Mercedes-Benz 170, distinguished itself as the world's first production car to offer a technology that was nothing short of extraordinary for the day: four-wheel independent suspension. The '30s and '40s saw Mercedes establishing itself as the brand of choice for car buyers seeking the ultimate in luxury, thanks to coveted cruisers like the 380 and 540K.

The 1950s witnessed the introduction of the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL "Gullwing," a sports car that has been described as being the world's first supercar. With its dramatic styling and race-bred technology, the 300 SL reigns today as a classic coveted by collectors worldwide. The decade also saw Daimler-Benz making strides in the area of safety technology. The company's Mercedes-Benz 220 sedans were the first vehicles to incorporate its patented "crumple zone" body design, created to absorb impact in the event of a crash.

In 1963, the company cemented its reputation as the home of automotive luxury with the launch of the Mercedes-Benz 600. The elegant, luxurious sedan was also available as a limousine and featured an ahead-of-its-time air suspension system and a V8 engine that boasted 300 horsepower. The decade also saw the launch of the Mercedes-Benz 300 SEL 6.3. This full-size sedan went from zero to 60 in under seven seconds, distinguishing itself as the quickest luxury car is its day.

The 1970s saw the birth of the brand's storied S-Class line of vehicles, opulent sedans and coupes that coddled passengers with powerful engines and a long list of luxury features. The decade also saw Mercedes continuing on the cutting edge of safety technology, by being the first to offer antilock brakes in its vehicles.

Daimler-Benz's safety advancements continued in the 1980s. Its cars were the first to offer airbags and traction control. The manufacturer also raised the bar in terms of ride comfort and handling when it introduced multilink rear suspension. The technology debuted on the compact Mercedes-Benz 190 E, and it remains a vital component of the company's chassis engineering to this day.

Mercedes-Benz vehicles got an extra dose of power and performance in the 1990s, thanks to the manufacturer's partnership with AMG, a performance and tuning shop that was eventually purchased by the company to help produce ultra-high-performance versions of some of its vehicles. The first AMG model offered in the U.S. was the sporty C36 AMG in 1995; since then, Mercedes has gone on to offer an AMG-tuned version of almost all of its vehicles.

The company's current lineup is the most comprehensive in its history. With a variety of sedans, coupes, SUVs and roadsters filling Mercedes showrooms, it seems like the only thing missing is a pickup truck. Surely, the fact that Janis Joplin's song holds as much relevance today as it did four decades ago is a strong indicator that the brand's premier status is still very much intact.

User Reviews:

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  Neg. Stars if possible - 2021 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Cab Chassis
  By Herb Golden - June 28 - 3:43 pm

  I have a 2022 Winnebago view with Mercedes’ sprinters chassis. The customer service telephone line should be called Mercedes disservice is no help. This is the fourth or fifth time attempting to talk to a real person. My Mercedes sprinter has be in the dealer awaiting parts for 3 weeks going on a month with no satisfaction. I’ve been living in a motel for close to a month waiting for answers about repair since the sprinter is in UT and I live in FL In fact the shortest time that I was able to talk to a representative has been 40 minutes with no help in the end. As I write this, I’ve been on hold for 21 minutes and holding. I’ll let you know how long it takes to talk with someone at the end of this review. My sprinter has been at a Mercedes dealer for over 3 weeks and counting. No one can tell me anything about time frame for completion of a repair or availability of parts. This is a multi-National multibillion dollarvprestigious brand when in fact Mercedes treats its customers like poop. I get no answers only blame pushed on down the line…I get the it’s not my department run around. If you are looking for a luxury reliable car with exceptional customer service DEFINITELY do not get a Mercedes. Think Lexus for an excellent vehicle with outstanding customer service. I would never own another Mercedes product full stop. It took 54 minutes to talk to a representative that was absolutely no help or answers and again pushed the blame on down the line. I’m Frustrated because no one has an answer or takes responsibility for Mercedes. Steer clear because next time it may be you…with no answers or accountability.

• Stay away from Mercedes! - 2019 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter
  By Steve Walser - November 30 - 5:23 pm

  Just heard from the dealer that, once again, Mercedes is out of the EGR valve that failed over 2 months ago and after sitting at their shop the whole time they now think it will be anothr 6 months!!! before they can get the part. 3rd time we have had this issue and each time we have had to wait at least 2 months for the part while our Mercedes sits in Jail since it is an emissions problem and can't be released. Mercedes has offerd NOTHING! No loaner, no compensation, no NOTHING! They've turned down my request twice to have them buy back the vehicle under our state lemon law without explanation even though we clearl;y qualify so now we must go to arbitration. It's a bad vehicle and a bad company. They have been having this issue for years and they continue to fail to either fix the issue once and for all or, at least, produce enough parts to keep up. Wish I'd known this before I paid them 70K for this POS. If they won't help a rpeat commercial customer why would they help you? Stay away.

• Worst. Decision. Ever. - 2012 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter
  By Jeff Barcus - July 14 - 12:18 am

  I purchased a sprinter van brand new off the lot at sticker price. Haggling was not an option. Despite their stuck up attitude, I purchased the van. Fortunately, I did also purchase the extended warranty. I purchased the van as a service vehicle in the Commercial Refrigeration industry. High roof, extended wheelbase, Diesel engine - how could I go wrong? Well, I’m going to tell you. That van was in the shop since day one on average of every 2 1/2 weeks for something different every time. Mind you, everything that went wrong was mostly electrical. Tire pressure sensors, lightbulbs, light sockets, EGR, shifter, instrument cluster, fuse holder, DEF heater, and the list goes on. At 70 K the turbo went out. That is where I was happy I purchased the extended warranty. Two out of four rims leaked. I’ve never in my life had or ever heard of rims leaking. They tried to blame it on me saying that I was overloaded. Both rims that leaked were in the front. Was that a fat joke? I had to fight tooth and nail to get them to warranty the rims. Every time it broke, I had to get a ride back to my shop and use one of my other vans. I lost countless hours and who knows how much money playing this back-and-forth game every time it broke. I finally complained to the manager of the dealership and the best he would do for me is a free oil change. This is the Mercedes dealership in Eugene Oregon by the way. The manager’s name is Ralph and he’s an asshole. I have confirmed that with sufficient data. To top it off, I had left my van there overnight to be repaired the next morning, under warranty, with my keys in their care and control. That evening, a tow truck had dropped off a vehicle similar to mine right next to my vehicle. The owner of that vehicle decided to stay the night in the vehicle and supposedly let the E break off for some mysterious reason, causing it to roll into my van. The dealership was very quick to tell me about the situation but told me they had no interest in paying for the damage. They told my insurance people to piss up a rope. Ralph laughed my insurance lady off the phone. Unbelievable. If the fender wasn’t so cheap, I would’ve sued the hell out of them. This vehicle and the dealership it came from was the worst company decision I have ever made. To this day, eight years later, I still have nothing but problems with that stupid thing. I am so invested in equipping that van that I can’t yet part with it. Yes, it’s definitely the most comfortable van, has the best visibility, and definitely a smooth riding van. But for the love of everything holy, why did it have to be such a giant piece of shit. Please don’t buy one of these. Everybody in the industry that I work around that bought one regrets every day that goes by owning one. All they do is break! All the time! I’ve decided that when the transmission goes out, I will throw in the towel and buy a Ford transit van. Thank you for listening to my rant. And don’t buy a sprinter.

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  Sprinter - 2013 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter
  By Sébastien taillefer - June 1 - 6:04 am

  I have three sprinters and at 60000 Kim’s all of the three vehicles needed over $6000 of repairs on exhaust system. The dpf and nox sensor needed to be replace or the vehicle shuts down and only a Mercedes dealership can do the work. What a disappointment you think you buy a good quality vehicle but it’s garbage

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  Mercedes Benz doesn’t stand behind there vehicles - 2017 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter
  By George Koval - July 19 - 6:57 am

  If I could give them zero stars I would I bought a new 2017 2500 cargo not even 1000 miles I started having misterious starting issues ( not engaging the starter it left me stranded for 20 minutes) brought it to the dealer they couldn’t recreate it so they did nothing then around 5000 miles the transmission started to shift hard and bang into gear brought it to the dealer they did a reprogramming of the trans module said it was fixed but I got it back and it was worse brought it back to the dealer they replaced the valve body again said it was fixed picked it up test drove it with shop Forman still not fixed they ordered another part and was told that it wasn’t available none in the world so they had my new van for 3 weeks got Mercedes Benz involved they shipped the part all the while I’m not working while they have my sole business van they got the part and installed it again said it was fixed I picked it up only to find it wasn’t fixed so now I’m angry so I take the service director for a ride he documented it wasn’t fixed sent emails to the Mercedes Benz customer care team where they informed him that as far as Mercedes Benz was concerned it was repaired and that they were not going to do anything more IE fix or buy it back as it’s still under warranty they basically have refused to stand behind there vehicles and make any reasonable attempt to get my van fixed and me back to work where to date it’s cost me over 20k in lost revenue so now I’m left with per suing a lemon law suit and I see this is there MO they don’t care about there customers only the Benjamins

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  New Mercedes Sprinter 4x4 Clunks like a Junker - 2016 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter
  By upset - February 16 - 10:37 pm

  Special ordered a Mercedes sprinter 4x4 van. Spent another $11,000 in options to make it some what comfortable (total $70,000!) After 10,000kms clunking in the drivetrain started to happen badly during start and stop and throttle on throttle off (All day Driving!) Took it to the dealership who said it was normal ?!?! ... As in "its a commercial vehicle, that normal". Took back again because it was starting to clunk and thump and clang! Dealership used some green glue on the output shaft or something to that nature, (They didnt provide details when asked either through lack of knowledge and training or more likely told not to discuss with customer) Non the less the green goop treatment lasted a couple days and the van was back to its clunking, thumping, knocking and clanging (NO EXAGGERATIONS!) So I take it back to the same dealership and they take it for a few days where they summarized with a single test drive that the clunking was in fact still there but considered normal. No “fault” found. So in utter disbelief from this abusive and deflecting attitude i called customer service head office in TO. After a Lot of rubbish and 2 weeks passing, some rep from Mercedes western Canada calls me from a blocked number! LOL...it gets Better!!! Says hes gonna fly out to drive the vehicle in a couple weeks and never does. Sends the western Sales rep instead? Based out of the same dealership that I was having a problem with. So right from the get go this guy is confrontational and condescending and Confirms on a test drive all the clunks are normal and says so in front of another dealerships Service manager and Shop foreman. Says "its normal because its a commercial vehicle" and also "i might be tricking the computer during gear changes." He also asks me, "is it drive-able and runs? i say "yes" and he says "then there is nothing wrong with it" Lmao! ... NO WORD OF A LIE!" ($70,000) SOooooo i let this other dealership have it for a week and they say that they checked the specs but the Mercedes engineer department that calls the shots on the phone, says "there isnt any specs" So they give me my van back and i think there is another knocking sound in there that wasnt there before! LOL That make a total 3-4 very distinct clunks, clangs, thumps and knocking. It only has 27,000kms on it now and it is so bad that i am going to get rid of it since Mercedes wont fix it and after 1.5 years i will be out about $15,000 if im lucky. Keep your eyes on youtube as i will be making a video that better explains the issues that will be supported by documents and first, second and third mechanic shops diagnostics. The Bottom line is that i feel like a whipped dog now, and I have wasted a tremendous amount of time, energy, patience and Money! To try and get them to fix a very distracting, annoying and obvious drive train clunking that wasn’t there for the first 10,000 kms, or when I test drove it, or when I asked various salesmen about any drivability concerns with a response of reassurance that it had a warranty. So at no time was it disclosed to me up to the time when I signed the contract that the van I would purchase would develop maddening clunking issues after it was broken in that would be explained to me as normal, no matter how bad it is because the vehicle still moves. So if you’re a sucker this van is for you?

• Mercedes Sprinter Garbage 2500 JUNKER VAN - 2016 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter
  By Frustrated AV Guy - July 29 - 7:10 am

  1 year in from a NEW CARGO VAN purchase and only 30k miles with 10 X Shop visits and more than 30 Days in the shop for Check Engine Light, Transmission issues, steering column replacements, electronics issues, Blue DEF issues. This van runs 16 MPG and is a DOG on the road. Mercedes hides behind their Tri-Star Badge and SELLS JUNK unreliable vehicles and does not stand by their product. Very frustrating Business Killing Machine. Now the thing has black sealant leaking out from the roof supports in the cargo area - told Normal as AZ is HOT. Seriously, GO FORD !!!

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  C300 Not Worth It - 2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By Barb Morri - December 27 - 7:10 pm

  At 24K needed a transfer case, at 58K needed a drive shaft. Just got my car back from the drive shaft repair and now coolant level warning light came on and a new grinding sound is coming from underneath the car. My warranty is over August 2017 and Mercedes will not extend the warranty. Im so disappointed Im going back to Lexus. I had 2 Japanese cars before the C300, I put 180K on each of them and between both of them I had to replace only 1 alternator. The alternator was replaced at 170K. Shame on Mercedes for not offering to extent the warranty and stand behind their car. Shame on Mercedes for putting a car on the road with such inferior parts. Never again!!!!

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  Newmans 2004 E 500 4 Matic - 2004 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By paulnewman - July 11 - 2:00 am

  The car is great in every detail.

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  2017 G550 Nightmare - 2017 Mercedes-Benz G-Class
  By julianfrancishill@gmail.com - June 12 - 9:11 am

  I have slaved through school for the past 14 years to finally purchase the car of my dreams. I spent countless hours test driving and convincing my wife to buy this car. It was a special order designed by the dealer. It just so happened to be the exact color and some options I preferred. I made a down payment. En route to the US from germany, the cargo ship had a fire. This caused a +1 month hold up on my car at the port of Baltimore. Thinking to myself????? "Should I buy a car like this?" The car was released and finally arrives!!! Yes! I go to the dealer for pickup and drive it for 15 minutes and enjoyed finally being able to see the most beautiful hand crafted piece of artwork ever made. I cruised at low speeds, talked to my salesman, played the radio. Of course, no one is paging attention to fine details at this point. The car went straight from the dealer to my friend who has placed Xpel ultimate on other vehicles of mine. He did an amazing job. 1 week worth of hard work and dedication, The day finally arrives to return the loaner and pick up my car. From the start I heard an intermittent "booting" noise, almost like a baby owl. It would mainly occur between shifts or let up off of the gas. Higher temperatures outside produced a more defined and constant noise. The biggest issue besides the "most" annoying noise was a very hard rumbly and shaking shift when I would brake from 4th to 3rd gear. This was always constant. I finally got the car to my local detailed (whom has been more than professional and kind) to have the service manager drive my car. He noted all of the complaints and the car went in for service. Adaptations (computer updates) were performed which actually made the shifting and hard shakes worse. This is week 3 and there has been no fix. I was told today that, corporate engineers, told my local service team to tear apart the transmission and check everything. They respectfully disagreed and deferred this treatment. They know its a transmission issue and a case was opened. Meanwhile, they have captured the noise and recorded what I described as "hooting" earlier. They hear it and also agree that this is "NOT" normal. They have no idea what is causing it. With this, I was told today that the service team have been in contact with corporate and they have planned to order a new transmission...... from Germany. 2 more weeks, plus delivery, plus installation. I have involved and contacted MB customer service. These messages have been relayed up the hierachal chain. They were great about getting back to me in a very efficient time. I was told today that they assure their engineers are trying to fix this problem quickly. I have assured and assured that no one in their right mind would pay 129k for a car and want the transmission replaced and to have a noise that cant be fixed. Without anymore complaining and painful details, I am still dealing with this and to let others know, I am not the only one with these issues. A new "befriended" friend of mine and I have been in contact, and he has the same noises. He has also had his brand new 2017 G550 rear end replaced because they thought the noise was coming from there. Its been a disaster and no one who pays this sort of money on a high end luxury vehicle deserves this. The car should be taken back without any question.