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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  Best buy used car ever! - 2005 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class
  By jet1rno - October 11 - 3:39 pm

  Some call the CL55 AMG the depreciation king, and if I had bought one new I might agree, however there is more to the story than depreciation. The Cl 55 AMG is FULL of technology and admittedly if you buy a bad one you will be most unhappy so how do you avoid that? Pay a couple of hundred dollars before you buy one to have it pre-purchase inspected buy a Mercedes Benz dealer. This will save you time and major grief. If the owner refuses to allow this just say goodby. If it is a price "to good to be true" it probably will need a lot of TLC. Avoid boy racer modified cars, this car needs VERY FEW!

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  Shame on you Mercedes - 2007 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By swat94 - October 11 - 11:39 am

  2007 E350, this is my 4th Mercedes and definitly my last!! Main seal went at 30K, power steering pump at approx. 55K and Transmission went DOA at 60K miles. What ever happened to Mercedes??? Quality stinks!! For the price of a Mercedes you can pick up two Jap cars and youll get your bang for your buck. I can assure you the transmission doesnt go out at 60K on Toyota, Honda etc.. Good bye Mercedes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Go sell you cars somewhere else!!

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  A luxury sedan that stands up to time - 1998 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By Rich - October 10 - 4:10 pm

  This entry level Mercedes has stood the test of time. The styling is not outdated, and reflects the classic look of the S-class of the year. The electrical system is a little buggy, but so is the story with a German car. Major repairs include the Tranny being resealed, and replacement of the AC compressor, but overall the car has shown remarkable endurance, especially considering my mother never changed the oil

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  a great vehicle - 2004 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By Ghettogrl2die4 - October 10 - 2:00 am

  its a good vehicle fjdoas

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  Poorly built - 2004 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By SKhorana - October 10 - 2:00 am

  Very poorly built, have been to the dealership for repair twice in the first 45 days. High wind noice, 4 days of repair done by the dealer. Cup holder gets stuck. Cannot believe I bought a new MB. I have another 12 years old MB which drives and feel better than the new one. What a shame.

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  The Best Ever - 2004 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
  By Buchiepuma - October 10 - 2:00 am

  This is my 11th SL and my 4 V12, This one is by far the best ever. What a great car. It feels and hold the road great. I cant believe that they can top this one. The interior trim is so sophisticated and feels good to. I got the new color mars red with the standard wheels, it hot. I cant ask for more , very happy.

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  Safe Car - 1998 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By BD - October 9 - 10:33 am

  I owned my 1998 C230 for 4 1/2 years and I loved it. Other than an oxygen sensor, it required no repairs other than routine maintence during the period of time I owned it. Unfortunately while driving, I had an accident at 60mph and rolled the car twice. The car was totaled, but I sustained minor injuries. The state patrol credited the safety of the car, seat belts, and air bags as saving my life.

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  ARE YOU KIDDING - 1998 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By MR. OWENS - October 9 - 10:00 am

  THIS CAR IS GREAT, RIDES SMOOTH AND LOOKS GREAT.

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  pricey for okee dokee rig - 2001 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By Bob in Oregon - October 9 - 10:00 am

  I had to drive 70 mls to the nearest dealer to fix the window that would not roll up last winter when it was 22 deg F out then the parts where on "national recall" so go back then something broke when the guy put it together so 3rd trip the first service work oil change ect. they asked if I wanted to have this upgraded fuel regulator installed no charge I said sure I had no idea I would be there from time of opening until 1:30 in the after noon cause to get to the top of the gas tank they have to take out the back seat and open an access hole in the floor then take of the drivers rear tire and pull out the platic wheel well (tough job). I was more impressed with the car I traded in.

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  Fun to drive - 2002 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By spanky - October 9 - 10:00 am

  So far so good. No major complaints, just a few minor noises. The Black Opal paint shows scratches from the car wash.