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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  S 500 not a lexus but a great car - 2001 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
  By srosa - February 5 - 11:44 pm

  I bought my car with 50k on it. It now has 75k so I fell I know the car pretty good. I had to replace the air suspension($350) if you do it yourself. Also the radiator fan motor(bought fan onling) and a fuse for the left side of the car electronics(not happy about that). Also some rust at seams of the body. If you are unable to do some work yourself and dont like car repair bills by a lexus or bmw. This car is nice to ride in, very comfortable. A bmw is a nice car to drive. Great pick up for a big car. Timeless look.

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  Great car but mine cuts out too! - 2002 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By Benzilla - February 5 - 10:00 am

  Have had car 3 months. Had BMW and Porsche in past. Both had electrical problems. Car has been great to date. Fun to drive and feels safe. Figured perhaps with a Benz, may have better luck with mechanical problems. WRONG! For some unknown reason the car has cut out twice while going down the road @ 45 MPH! (looks like a few other have had the same problem?) Car now going to shop to see what the problem is. I sure hope we dont end up in the same boat as the other 2 German cars!

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  Best Choice - 2002 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By SanDiegoC230K - February 5 - 10:00 am

  I never associated MB with value, but thats what the C230K gives. It is incredibly fun to drive, and lots of looks from other people as I drive by. The Kompressor growl going up hills is great. The C230K can easily accomodate 4 adults (its bigger inside than it looks). The panoramic sunroof makes an ordinary sunroof look downright inadequate. The C7 wheel package is a steal, and makes the car look even better. Like others, I was considering an Acura RSX hoping to save some bucks. The C230K is worth every penny of the price difference, and more. Drive the two cars and you will know immediately which one you want.

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  Chryslerization of Mercedes-Benz - 2003 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Chryslerized-Benz - February 5 - 10:00 am

  Year 2003. Death of a classic brand. The tradgedy finally happened. The new Mercedes-Benz E-Class has gone to cheap, gimmicky Americanized, low-class trash. From the fake chrome plastic knobs that clutter the entire dashboard and console, to the Chrysler "star" patterned wheels. Ever since the merger, we have sat and worried and wondered when the famous, world class brand would begin to show the signs of being diluted and infected. The wait is over. My next car will come from BMW and I pray to the car-maker gods to please allow this one remaining quality brand to remain independent and uninfected.

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  Love My New Mercedes-Benz - 2009 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By ribbletts - February 5 - 5:43 am

  I just bought my new 2009 Mercedes- Benz E 350 on July 31st. I absolutely love my new car. My past Mercedes included a 1999 C 230 and a 2006 C 230 and my dream has always been to own an E Class. Back in 2003 when Mercedes changed the body style I thought it was the most beautiful car I’d ever seen. I still feel that way about it. The car just has great lines and the interior is absolutely gorgeous. The handling and horsepower is just amazing. The fit and finish is exactly what you would expect from Mercedes- Benz. The quality and workmanship is way beyond what you get in an American or Japanese car. The deal I got on the 2009 was incredible. Ask me and I’ll tell you about it.

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  Love it! - 2017 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Gail Baity - February 5 - 2:27 am

  Its a great car!

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  A great step up - 2006 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
  By john - February 4 - 10:36 pm

  I held off on all Mercedes until I saw the 2003 SL500, which I bought and enjoyed immensely. My only complaint was that I felt that for this level of car, and for its weight, it was a little underpowered. I test drove the new SL550, which substantially improved the engine power problem with the improved torque and horsepower. I had the opportunity, however, to purchase a new 2006 SL65, and the difference is again night and day. I love the instant power without any significant turbo lag, and yet the elegant and sophisticated luxury package in which this beast is housed. Though much more subtle in appearance than some comparables, the car demands ones attention. Performance is superb.

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  2014 Mecedes E350 Sport - 2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Armando Vega - February 4 - 8:54 pm

  I bought this car for my wife and she loves it. That says it all.

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  Buy One - 1995 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
  By Coolpillow - February 3 - 8:53 pm

  This is a great car to buy pre-owned. New ones are $85,000 or more, save $60,000 and buy a 95.

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  Steering Wheel locked - 2008 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By Harry - February 3 - 2:16 pm

  This model will give you sudden steering wheel lock without notices nor alerts. Easy cost you $1,600 to prepare only at dealership.