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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  C230 sport fun - 2007 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By isles89 - August 8 - 7:26 pm

  Car is amazingly fun to drive. I have the 6 speed manual. Never felt a clutch as smooth as this one. Fuel economy is not as good as expected. I get about 25 mpg highway. Snow tires are a must! help out so much.

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  S430 - 2004 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
  By RPF96 - August 6 - 10:00 am

  I purchased this car in September 2004. I had C230 Kompressor Coupe 2002, which was a great car without any problems. After owning my first Benz I knew it would be the only vehicle I would purchase in the future. The car has a fantastic ride, great pick up and some really terrific features. If you are look for a classy car with superior workmanship, then this is the car for you. We had also owned a large sport utility but decided the larger Mercedes would be a better fit for us for ride as well as safety. I think the car is superior. Hands down one of the best rides on the road!

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  My new baby - 2005 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
  By hench - August 6 - 10:00 am

  I have owned my 2005 SL500 for 1 week now. Traded in my 2002 M3 after its 3rd recall. Gave up some performance for a lot more comfort and luxury, not to mention that sweet drop top. I have gotten 10xs the stares and comments in this than I ever did in the M3. So far, I couldnt be happier with the trade. Traffic is so dense these days, I couldnt use all the power the M3 had 90% of the time.

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  Its a winner - 2005 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class
  By NJS - August 6 - 7:56 am

  Super sporty with a ton of power. Very sleek design is definately an eye catcher. Very sophisticated electronics and audio system.

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  Love my CLS - 2006 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class
  By Gilbert - August 5 - 7:46 pm

  I have been driving my CLS for almost 5 months and I really enjoy it. I test drove the BMW 645 and it was a beautiful car, but I liked the Benzs ride better. The control interface is no more complicated than a Japenese car. Almost 8,000 miles on it and no problems at all.

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  UnderRated - 1998 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Phreeze - August 5 - 6:53 pm

  Plain jane exterior hides an exceptionally well crafted and highly reliable machine. Quick tracking, rapid acceleration, sure grip lay beneath a church choir skin. Lacks the flare of its sizzling sisters and brothers; but, delivers the message of a final destination worth visiting. Currently has 125,000; acts like the day it was born. Wolf in geeks clothing, including the pocket protector.

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  This Car Is So Awsome - 2001 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By Chris - August 5 - 5:13 am

  I have had this car for 2 years, ( The Lorinser) and this car has never given me any problems so far. It cruises so "Great" Its a Great Ride Every Time you Get In It. When you put your foot on the peddle,It Has a Awesome Holdshot, Takes off like a plane. Cannot hear the engine very quiet, the Cd changer for (6) The sound is so nice to hear w/Bose speakers, No Mechanical, Engine, Navigation problems, No Leaks, Paint looks Great I added the AMG Package, Crome Wheels,and Grill. This Car looks and I believe If you take car of your car. It will last for a very long time. If you Keep the car checked and up to date you will not have any problems. This car I rate it at a 10Xs 10.MB is the best

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  A car for all reasons - 2006 Mercedes-Benz R-Class
  By jeff - August 4 - 11:50 am

  The day after taking delivery we had 6 inches of wet snow, what snow. The 4 wheel drive was flawless as were the ABS brakes. I also have an S class and the ride of the "R" is at least comparable. What more could you want in a large sedan, SUV, station wagon all wrapped into one vehicle? It may not be the sexiest car on the road, but it is certainly the most functional.

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  So-So - 1996 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By PZ - August 3 - 2:00 am

  I bought a certified pre-owened 1996 C280 with 15K on it in 1998. In some respects I LOVE this car. The ride is phenominal, the interior is solid, and I feel like Im driving a tank.. (which I like). However, I have had a series of annoying problems since I owned the car. The Check Engine and ABS lights goes on and off for no appparent reason, the fuel tank had problems, the windows squeak...and these are the problems I can remember! The car has 70K miles on it, so we are looking to replace it before the extended warranty is up.

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  Great Family Car - 1999 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By mbob - August 3 - 2:00 am

  Best car I ever owned. Comfort, styling, performance, fuel economy, saftey, and reliability all top notch. Price tag well worth it as I will drive this car at least 10 years and overall cost of ownership will ultimately be less than lesser priced and lesser quality cars.