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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  Dont buy one - 1995 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Jfa - May 22 - 2:00 am

  Bought car with 10,000 miles onm it and it has been the worse car I have ever owned- will never buy another one. Now have 102,000 miles on it and have replaced fuel and water pumps and had numerous minor problems. Just found out i have a major electrical problem which will cost over $1000.00 to fix. Considering what I paid for the car, it has been a disaster. Am going to trade it in on an Acura.

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  nic says - 2003 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By nicl - May 22 - 2:00 am

  Love the look, the feeling of safety and luxury combined, which is crutial in my work of selling real estate. Chose it hands down over a Lexus SUV, even though ride is rougher and am so thrilled that I did.

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  Wow, its a super car!!!!! - 2008 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class
  By gambler695 - May 18 - 6:42 pm

  You need to own and drive this car. The clk 550 is very fast, the clk63amg is a beast, its actually will frighten you with 475 hp and 465lbs of torque. I love it, and the engine sound especially top down makes you grin from ear to ear. It even has 4 useable seats and my twin daughters love riding in it. The diamond silver metallic color looks very unique and the car is a discreet head turner. Really no negatives to this car other than price and you get what you pay for with this car. It will be very rare because only 250 ever sent here. Highly recommended, best car by far I have ever owned!

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  Not Such A Good Choice - 2006 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By First Timer - May 18 - 4:20 am

  Ive had my 06 C280 for about 14 months now. I have had it into the dealer five times, each time with a list of minor problems. The last visit, three weeks ago, the transmission was replaced under warranty. Plenty of squeaks, rattles and vibrations. Transmission still seems to make a funny noise. My center console cover has come off four times. This is my first and last Mercedes. They have sacrificed quality and reliability.

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  Great car; expensive to maintain - 2000 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
  By Stephen - May 16 - 3:50 pm

  Overall, this is a very beautiful car that is fun to drive. However, the maintenance, even routine, is very expensive at the MZB dealers. The car is fun to drive with a smooth, solid ride, and makes long trps enjoyable. Even police officers have commented on what a beautiful car it is. I have had to pat to replace the left headlamp assembly, and the locking gas cap several times. The entire drivers seat assembly, had to be flown in from Germany and replaced, but fortunately I had purchased an extended warranty. The entire steering assembly also went out. Being so heavy, the car needs frequent brake repairs, and goes through tires quite quickly. Nevertheless, I just love this car!

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  2009 E350 RWD Review - 2009 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By ppnff - May 16 - 4:03 am

  I bought a new 2009 E350 due to the massive incentives, both dealer and financing subsidies in July 2009. If the subsidies did not decrease the price by over 33%, I would not have bought the vehicle. Also, the 2009 fixed a lot of the prior model year issues (e.g., COMMAND problems), and a lot of options (iPod, bluetooth, DVD) were now free. At this price point, the deal was a steal. Coming from an Infiniti G (more hp and faster), I like my change.

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  NOT TO SHABBY - 2004 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
  By WAHLER - May 16 - 2:00 am

  NICE OVERALL PREFORMANCE,LIKING THE RIDE AND DRIVE. HORSEPOWER IS GOOD ,TORQUE IS EXCELLENT. LOTS OF ROOM. FEELS PRETTY SAFE.

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  SL55 - 2004 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
  By Bliss - May 16 - 2:00 am

  The best all around performance car available. Its a sports car (albeit a heavy one) a convertible (magic) a luxury car and just plain beautiful. The exhaust note is addicting and its in traffic manners are relaxing. Find an open stretch of road and there will be FEW cars that will be able to keep up. I love it!

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  Mercedes-Poor engineering & quality - 1995 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By douglas wilson - May 14 - 10:00 am

  I have owned Mercedes for 25 years. This car is junk. One problem after another. Very poorly designed and manufactured. Rear and Trans died before 60,000; computer died at 55,000; wiring harness is biodegradable- replaced at 75,000.

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  My dream car - 1997 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Crescent City Girl - May 14 - 10:00 am

  I always wanted an E320 MB. My dream materialized in April of 2002. This is my first of many MB purchases. MB will be the only brand of car I will drive going forward. I totaly love the car, and so does my family and friends. My E320 MB is definitely a head-turner!!! Coming from a Honda civic, Im in awe. I recommend this vehicle to all.