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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  Enthusiasts best used car value! - 1999 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By MercConvert - September 5 - 8:46 pm

  After much research and driving most competing models, including BMW 5 series, Lexus LS 400, Mercedes e320, etc. the e430 proved to be the car for me. 30+ mpg hwy at 75 - 80 mph. Quiet, comfortable, most E320 options are standard. This car feels soft but as soon as you push it a bit in hunkers down and handles! Great stereo and seats! Find a reputable independent shop and maintain it well. Find a well maintained carfax certified model. Itll never be as care free as a Camry, but it will never drive like one either!

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  got their mojo back - 2009 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By Ed - September 5 - 3:53 am

  Last Mercedes was a 1986e. Awful. Switched to Saabs and then two Bmw 5s and finally a Bmw 330x. Cabin too small on the Bmw 3 and the run flat tires are awful. The C300 Sport 4 matic,( dont laugh,) performs like the 5 series only more nimble. Plenty of power and stability. Interior is a little austere and the trunk is just too small. Close call over the Audi 4 but on balance a more solid feel without those silly led headlights.

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  CLK500 Convertible - 2006 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class
  By Yogi - September 3 - 9:50 pm

  I just got the CLK500 Conv. Let me telling you something, what a car. We wanted to get the CLK350 Conv, but the dealer did not have it. We got the DVD, Premium Package. They had the 500 in stock, and were more flexible in selling this one. I got it for $1.00 over invoice. The car is for my wife, and she is so in love with it. She was a previous BMW driver, and we still have her Car. I own a 99 CLK320, and it is still running great for me. It has 171,000 miles on it...

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  The Luxury Convertible - 2004 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class
  By keino - September 2 - 2:00 am

  I recently recieved my 2004 clk 320 cab with appearance package. It is BEAUTIFUL and I am the envy of all of my friends. It does not stop there, this car is simply a pleasure to look at and even more fun to drive, I couldnt be more happy.

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  Love this car - 1999 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By ShellyEsq - September 2 - 2:00 am

  Ive only had this car for a few months but I have enjoyed driving it like no other. I previously had an 400E years ago and I couldnt wait to get another. I love this body style, even more so than the new E500. It is a very comfortable and family friendly car. There is plenty room in the back for car seats, DVD players, toys, etc. Also, the pickup is very good--it makes my last sports sedan, a BMW 528i, seem like a slug.

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  Best of its class - 2004 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By Melon - September 2 - 2:00 am

  This is by far the Best car of its class. Safety, performance, price, features, design, etc. Drives sweeet and strong, stops very fast and has an amazing cornering stability. My sticker price was 28,600 with CD changer. The 2004 new features are awsome, the new wheels, the lower profile, the exhaust pipe, the vented front brake discs look the best. The 6 Speeed manual transmision is amazing. too.

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  Worth Every Penny! - 2002 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By David Hunter - August 31 - 10:00 am

  I must say after buying an E430 for the wife, I started saving for the E55. I was very impressed with the E430, but as an owner of a Ford 99 Cobra, I liked the speed and missed the ability to take a Vette at the light. I will never forget the day I bought my E55 (September 11, 2001) as it almost didnt happen. I cannot tell you how many thumbs ups I get from Vette Drivers at 120MPH! Everyone is VERY surprised thinking it is just a sedan!

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  Three weeks old - 2002 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By PHR - August 31 - 10:00 am

  I turned in my 1998 ML and bought a 2002. The 1998 model was in the shop 13 times during the first two years. 3 times in the first three weeks. this one seems to be a lot better. They put a lot of thought into the later models and made numerous improvements. I hope this one is a REAL M-B!

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  My SL55 - 2005 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
  By JackN - August 30 - 4:10 pm

  I bought this SL55 after owning a SL500. When I bought the SL500 I was in awe. It was a great car. I made a mistake one day and drove the SL55 when I stopped by the showroom to have my SL500 serviced. The difference was unbelievable..The car has the style, power and drives like no other. If anyone is looking to buy the ultimate convertible, the SL55 is it!

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  Great Car - 2003 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By justice2106 - August 29 - 6:03 pm

  Dont be put off by the C230s 189hp. It is more than enough. Bi-xenon headlights are a must because the standard headlights are not clear, check some pictures. The car handles well and gets pretty good fuel economy. The standard audio is decent and the front seats are terrific, the back seats are also nice, but dont offer a lot of leg room. The build quality was excellent, I never had any problems. The only thing to be aware of is that the sport tires have to be replaced every 15,000 miles (about $1,000). I recommend the tire rack if you are looking to save money. We just sold ours for a 2005 C230 (pewter).