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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  Maplewood Import - 1994 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
  By plysne - December 26 - 10:00 am

  Bought a Starmark 500SL 1994. After sale there was a defective AMG wheel. Service Dept. agreed it was defective prior to sale but management REFUSED to give any parts refund or shared compensation. Matter of fact wanted to replace the wheel at a 200% premium to where I bought it from Tires plus over the net. great service from this company. Delivery in 3 days. Electrical problems showed up 2 months later and again Maplwood refused to honor any discount on servicing. I would NEVER purchase another auto from this firm.

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  Not like they used to be - 2002 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By benz gal - December 26 - 10:00 am

  I just purchased a C240, 4 door sedan, after much research on edmunds and other consumer websites, comparing the BMW 325I and Audi A4 quatro. I consider my self very loyal to Mercedes- - this is my 3rd one. However, the day after I took delivery on my new C240, the instrument panel indicated that my engine was overheating. Only 4 days of ownership, Mercedes had to replace the cooling system fan unit! Well see whether this solves the problem. However, now Im noticing that my fog lights are not working properly. Needing to bring a new car into the service department is really a bummer, not to mention a waste of time! Mercedes quality seems to have deteriorated over the years.

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  Mercedes Benz S500 year 2001 - 2001 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
  By peter Ulrich - December 26 - 9:33 am

  This car in the new generation of electronics, after almost 10 years of driving still excellent.

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  Dissapointed - 2006 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Dissapointed - December 26 - 2:16 am

  First and last Mercedes. In less than 2 years of ownership car had many major problems. AWD had to be repaired. Power Steering repaired, intermittent wiper replacement. At 25,000 mile service (which cost $600) was told tires were wearing and would need to be replaced soon! The transmission is sluggish .. going uphill it doesnt shift properly. Fairly noisy drive. Handling is good and interior comfortable. Trunk size is also good. AWD (when working) is great on icy roads. Overall will go back to BMW.

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  Not what I expected! - 2006 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By L Wian - December 26 - 12:23 am

  Picked up my ML 350 Nov 2005. After driving 25 miles the "Check coolant level" message came up. I took it to the dealer who checked the hoses. 75 miles later the same message reappeared. The dealer said to bring it in. They found a leak in the head gasket, and the car had only 650 miles on the odometer. But the most frustrating thing is I took it in on Jan 19th. It is now March 2 and the car is still in the shop!According to the dealer all parts have to come from Germany. I am at my wits end. For a $50,000 car this is totally unacceptable! This is Mercedes reliabilty for you!

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  ok car - 2002 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class
  By Benz128 - December 25 - 2:00 am

  Nice car, low power for V12 some electrical problems very nice stylying, maybe I should heve bought 2002 BMW 7

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  thebest - 2002 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By apoolio - December 25 - 2:00 am

  have 20000 miles on my ML no problems

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  Driving CLK class car IS exhilarating - 2004 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class
  By Love my CLK - December 24 - 2:00 am

  I always loved the CLK models, especially with AMG bodywork, upgrades and notable performance is something that I have always marveled. I really liked the 208 body, but the newer 209 just gives me chills. These cars are the complete package for me, weighted more towards luxury than sport. I opted for the 320 (over 500) because I would lose my license, be in jail and ultimately would not be practical for me, as I cannot take advantage of the modest 3.2 liter engine in my current daily driving conditions. I have had a few minor repairs during the warranty period. And I have noticed though, each time I (or the dealer) do any maintenance, the car drives notable different, improved & better.

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  Finally gone! - 2002 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By Vehiclist - December 24 - 2:00 am

  This car was bought from a Cadillac dealership - it had been traded for a Cadillac. That should have been our first clue. Though fun to drive, at times, the car is extremely unreliable, falling apart around us, very expensive to repair, and one of the most uncomfortable luxury or near luxury vehicles I have ever driven. The C class is the epitome of over engineering, poor quality build, and a manufacturer currently resting on a mythical reputation. This was our families second and last Mercedes. We just traded it (for a pittance) on a Lincoln MKZ. It might not be German and for that, we are truly grateful. Perhaps the only thing to miss is the sound the MB door makes when closing.

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  Great Ride - 2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class
  By Great Ride - December 23 - 3:33 pm

  Only had the car a few weeks. Had the illuminated door sills installed after purchase and had a problem at the dealer with this. If you want this option, order it factory installed. Major project! Looks great though. Took it on a 2000 mile trip through Arizona and Nevada, had no problems. Gas mileage was a shocker although I should have known this beforehand.