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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  what was i waiting for ? - 2003 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By eric kelly - March 29 - 10:00 am

  i sold my zx9 sport bike,,no time to ride it with my real estate job,,police job,,and daddy job,,bought this for my wife as a gift for getting her doctoral degree,,what the hell was i waiting on,,this car has made me not want to get another bike,,i find my self going to look at it in the garage,,,yep just like the commerical,,,i leave the light on in the garage now and painted the floor grey,,to make the car comfortable,,,lol,,now i am looking foward to dressing her out,,18 inch rims,amg sports pkg,,,i dont car what it cost,,i must have it,,

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  A Step Above the Rest - 2007 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By WildcatFan - March 29 - 12:33 am

  This car has well surpassed my expectations. It is a joy to drive and an excellent ride. I read mean reviews before purchasing and the negative things people had to say are bad opinions. The service on the car is 200 dollars, but it only needs it every 12000-13000 miles that is three synthetic oiol changes in a Chevy, do the math. No power at take off, seven speed automatic that you never feel shift, put your foot in it a little. By far the best car I have ever owned. Will update in six months.

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  C-300 16 month Review - 2008 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By Sarge - March 28 - 10:16 pm

  Thinking of a C-300 Luxury sedan? Read this 16 month, 26,000 mile review first. Terrific comfort, rock solid construction, very good mileage, and great dealer support! Reliability has been excellent - ZERO problems. Overall 25 mpg. A recent 1400 highway trip yielded 28.5 MPG @ 77 mph. My wife had neck surgery a few years ago and she really enjoys driving this finely crafted, smooth automobile.

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  Best in Class in PPR - 2008 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By vijay - March 27 - 5:40 pm

  Looking at the price performance ratio in this catogory of the cars this is by far and large the best. Yes it is trace less in terms of the power from the other competitors, but is way ahead in all other departments, so overall is a sure winner, and of course its a three point star, you know what it means.

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  Great SUV - 1998 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By Jon W. - March 27 - 10:00 am

  I bought my 98 ML320 in July 2000 for $26,000, and since then Ive had nothing short of an outstanding vehicle. Ive had no problems at all with it. The engine is very reponsive and powerful, and the 5-speed driver- adaptive automatic transmission shifts beautifully. The Starmark service is great. Thereve been no problems with any electrical systems or switches, transmission, engine, or controls like others have claimed. Itll treat you good if you do the same. Take care of it and itll last you a long time.

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  Frequent Expensive Repairs - 2001 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By sisaacs - March 26 - 11:22 pm

  This model car has numerous problems. My 55 yr old wife drives this car gently. Yet, after 90K miles, I have replaced: braking computer, rear brakes 3x, front brakes 6x, alternator, numerous sensors, spark plugs and wires 2x, MAF 2x, EGR Valve 2x, EGR tube, fuel pump, motor mounts 2x, rear coil springs, numerous bulbs, window regulators 3x, front speakers, door handle, battery 2x, wheel, keys 2x, front control arm, steering assembly, gas cap, and sway bar links. Yet to repair: fading LCD instrument display, pass seat heater, front shocks, cracked cigarette tray cover, shifter (base pulled away from console), steering wheel, valve cover gaskets, clicking noise in drive shaft, trunk handle.

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  Best yet - 2005 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By Oaklandish - March 26 - 2:43 pm

  Ive owned 10 cars and this car keeps delivering me smiles. Ive gotten 35 mpg on the way to la. I consistently get 27 mpg. This car meets all my needs and more. I bought this car used with 40k miles and it has 55k miles on it now. Carfax report says car has had transmission work done. Tranny sometimes stays in first if car is cold then shifts roughly. This is a rare occurrence.

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  Best Benz Ever! - 1999 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By The Saint - March 25 - 1:20 pm

  I love this car so much, Im on my second one! Both have been white on black leather. First one I drove from +- 150000km right till 249000km. Was hard-pressed for a replacement car when I came across my current one - still in good knick despite being over 10 years old! (mileage 132000km) I have had this one now for a few months and it feels like dejavu! I cannot imagine driving anything else! Even the new ones dont match up to this! one snag - I might have to replace the keys/ignition! That wont be cheap! Besides that, have been a MB fan for years - also own a W123 230 E which I also love to bits! My only worry is the chafing of the steering wheel and gear-lever knob! any ideas?

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  About the Mercedes-Benz 2005 C320 Lux Se - 2005 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By Susan J. Whitehorn - March 24 - 10:00 am

  So far this car has more than met all of my expections. Its performance, drive, ride and technical qualities are superb. I am extremely pleased with how I have been treated by the people where I purchase the C320. They have been very courteous, professional, and helpful and their follow-up has been outstanding thus far. The only downside to the car is that its interior size is a little tight. I knew this when I purchased the car.

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  Love It! - 2006 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Teresa - March 24 - 4:43 am

  I dont think I will ever own anything but a Mercedes now! Its the best! Plenty of room for my family. I cannot believe the fuel economy I am getting! The dealership filled up my tank and I drove on that first tank 723 miles. This has so much power, and looks so slick!