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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  great engine horrid HVAC - 1995 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By radicalpumpboy - February 10 - 12:33 am

  The twin-cam straight six has always been a great engine, and the variable cam version has to rate as one of MBs best engines. It pulls like a V8 and roars when told to do so. The engine is also bullet proof, as is the transmission, brakes, and suspension. All work like new after 112k miles. BUT, the car is best suited to milder climates -- like San Fran -- because the HVAC is total crap. Ive lost heat in the winter and seldom had cold air in the summer, despite spending lots and lots of money on constant repairs. The locks are also a weak spot.

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  Huge improvement! - 2010 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By mh - February 9 - 7:23 pm

  I had a 2006 ML 350 with multiple problems. I was interested in a 2010 GL, but just couldnt justify the 85k sticker price with options. I took a 2010 ML350 for a drive and was very surprised at the improvements. The seats are unbelievable, and while everything looks similar to the 2006 model, there are improvements at every level. The ride was always great, especially on the highway, but the 2010 is even more comfortable. The fit and finish is better than any car I have ever owned (previous MB, BMW, etc...)

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  Bigger is Better - 2008 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class
  By Gerry R. - February 9 - 4:20 pm

  This SUV is rock solid yet handles very well for a full size vehicle. The interior is very comfortable and cabin noise is very minimal. If you need seating for 7 this is the flagship vehicle. Vastly superior to the Audi Q7, Burban, mini-vans or anything else for that matter. If you want people mover, the search is over. I came out of a 2006 GM product that thought the service center was its second home. Mercedes exudes quality and the dealership personnel treat you better. Quality does not cost, quality pays.

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  Disappointed in my first MB - 2007 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By Leanne - February 9 - 10:00 am

  I had always wanted a Mercedes and was very excited when we bought this car brand new last year. Unfortunately, it hasnt been all that I had dreamed of. It is useless in snow/ice -- last year I learned that lesson the hard way with <1" of snow. Our other three vehicles (not MB) were fine with that tiny bit of snow, but not the MB. It also recently stopped dead in the middle of a busy road with me and my little boy in it. It has been at the dealership since last week and they cant get any error codes, so they have no idea whats wrong with it. I am very disappointed in this car and am thinking about selling it because I dont feel safe in it any longer. It only has 7500 miles on it!

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  Wheres the Beef? - 2009 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By 997C2S CAB - February 8 - 6:06 pm

  Ive owned many M-Bs since 1984. This is a very nice car, but after a month, I wish Id gotten the C350. I also have an 06 Porsche Carerra S Cab and just turned in an 07 E350. It has P1,P2,Nav,18s and Panoramic Roof. All that stuff works great, but the seats are not as comfortable as my E350 was. My two major gripes are the brakes and power. I do 70% freeway driving and at 65 mph, this motor has limited passing ability. Punch it and it makes a lot of noise, but takes an hour to get around a big rig, especially on an uphill grade. I guess it depends on what youre used to. Additionally, the car is underbraked. You really feel the brakes straining to bring the car down when needed.

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  Much better than the last model - 2004 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Riven - February 8 - 2:00 am

  After a disasterous 2000 E Class wagon (windshield leak, ox sensor fault, aircon breakdown...), this one seems much better put together and of much higher quality. The dark grey exterior is striking while the interior is much improved. I acutally think the wagon looks better than the sedan. They might have got it right this time.

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  1998 ML-320 may not be worth the money - 1998 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By B. C. Brown - February 6 - 10:00 am

  The most unreliable vehicle I have ever owned has been my 1998 ML-320. This truck has had numerous problems with the electrical system and the engine. The engine was replaced with a new one in January 2002. From December 1999 to January 2002, this truck was in the "shop" about 15 times for various problems. MB North America paid for the new engine, as the manufacturers warranty had just expired. Lucky for me, as I would have never had the means or desire to purchase a new engine for this truck. The best that I can say about this truck is that it hasnt returned for repairs since the new engine was installed.

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  Solid Delivery - 1999 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By Indianwood - February 6 - 10:00 am

  I drive the ML for both city and highway use in the metro -Detroit area. Great in all weather. Havent had any problems with the car compared to various issues that Ive read about in magazine and web-sites. Great value for the money in terms of features and re-sale.

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  When only the best will do - 2003 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
  By Barry D - February 6 - 7:16 am

  These cars are expensive to buy and maintain, but it really is the best car on the road. I traded my 2000 S500 in on the 03 with 4matic. The 4matic tends to drag or hold back compared to my rear drive, but it is great in the rain and snow. The 03 update really changes the look of the car inside and out. Fuel economy is not much better than a Range Rover. Im averaging about 15 mpg, and I do a lot of highway driving. My rear drive got much better fuel economy. My car also has the sport package which also changes the look of the car quite a bit. It was next to impossible finding a 4matic with the sport package in a good color, but they are out there. A great car to buy used, save a ton!

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  Very Pleased with ML 320 - 1999 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By femmesophisticate - February 2 - 2:00 am

  I traded my BRAND NEW JGCL with 16K miles on it due to numerous problems. Got the 99 ML320 for an excellent price with under 42K miles, and I am not looking back. The car handles well, and is excellent in wintery weather/ice. Acceleration is good (especially in highway traffic), and my choc lab LOVES this car - no more lurching off the back seat when I drive off due to excellent stability! Just to be safe, bought an extended warranty for an additional 36k miles - have not had to use it yet, so maybe I wasted my money on that. Overall, an excellent buy. Now, I just have to convince my family to bury me in it when the time comes!