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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  Could be Better - 2002 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By H. Baker - November 28 - 4:50 am

  The looks and lines of the car with the sport package is outstanding! The engine is peppy while not a gas hog. Steering is heavy at times in turns. The turning radius is great in tight spots. The ride has been disappointing for a luxury $50k+ car. Frankly, I have driven cars costing half as much that ride better on rough surfaces. The single wiper is an issue as it never seems to clear the windsshield very well. The ventilation never seems to adjust correctly. It blows cold air in the winter and warm air in the summer.

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  Nice change - 2008 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Greg - November 28 - 1:43 am

  2nd Benz, 4th European. Very pleased. Last car was an Acura TL, which we hated. Shocked at how poorly Acura was constructed, and we sold it after only 13,000 miles. The E350 is so much nicer. No comparison. We were debating between the GS350 and the E350. Wife liked the looks of the E, I liked the drive of both, but the E is hands down better looking. Sure, the GS is more reliable, but given my experience with the TL and Consumer Reports raving about that, who knows what to believe, and my brother in laws E has been flawless, as has been our CLK, which we kept. If the E is anything like our CLK, Im sure we made the right choice. Nice design, solid. Very pleasant.

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  Average for the Price - 2000 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By garybrey - November 26 - 10:00 am

  The best thing about the E320 is the turning radius. The car lacks any excitement inside the cabin. The model has not changed much through 2003 that I can see. It does have a stylish look. The amenities are very scarce such as a very poor drink holder; defective computer which gives out false messages; seats are average condition and the leather is so so. You have to be careful driving over a bump if you have a beverage in the drink holder. If the liquid should spill a bit, it can sort out the shifting linkage which is positioned in front of the holder. I have owned my last Mercedes.

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  V12 Bang for the buck! - 2002 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class
  By 02 CL6 - November 25 - 10:13 am

  After years of lust for the big MB V12 I broke down and replaced my C5 Corvette with an ultra-clean fully optioned (Spt,Dist,Park)30k mi example. The car is heavy which adds to a solid feel all-around, but you wouldnt notice it with power that is immediate and omni-present. I looked at other new/used cars in the class, but none of them could match the looks, price, power, and features. Just ask yourself "where else can I get a V12 $120k car for 1/3 the original price (not Ferrari or Bentley). Mercedes went all out on their flagship model with plenty of wood and leather to match the techno gadets that are loaded with car. The jury is still out on reliability/maintainability.

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  Nice car - 2004 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class
  By johnthelandlord - November 21 - 11:00 pm

  Bought it new in 03, and have it as a second car. A few minor problems like flicker in tail light, sunroof one touch and stuck on ABS light on dash since then but nothing big. One thing that is VERY annoying is the complicated "computer" thats accessed through a series of pressing four buttons in certain sequence on the steering wheel. You can never find what you want easily and you can have an accident while you are fiddling with it while driving!! Setting the clock?? You need a degree in engineering to do it. Having an older BMW the controls were very simple one touch on one single button.

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  Mercedes price, Chrylser quality - 2001 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By gm4511 - November 21 - 10:00 am

  So far weve had to replace two radios, fix squeaks and rattles in the dash, driver sear, and trunk, speedometer broke, digital information screen went out, and 2 power side mirrors quit. Dealer service is terrible. Buy a Lexus.

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  Car Performance - 2005 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Jim Smith - November 17 - 10:20 pm

  Car when running correctly was wonderful, but had it in 11 times for major problems, 0 rings replaced twice, two fuel line leaks, transmission went out, and on and on. Lots of keyless go problems. Mercedes would not extend warranty for me. Dealership was very good in handling these problems, but Mercedes would not stand behind product

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  A diesel MB charmer - 2005 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Steve Glauser - November 13 - 12:06 am

  When 1) Premium gas goes north of $2.30/gal; 2) you change jobs and started commuting 50 mi/day roundtrip on one of Atlantas most congested roads and 3) the tranny in your 2002 Lincoln LSE is replaced at 26k miles, you buy a Benz turbodiesel. The new diesel technology is going to tramp hybrid into the ground IMHO. Its not the road warrior the LS was, but its darn close. Cabin is much better suited to the long commute - better seats, stereo, NVH isolation. Torque spoils you immediately; HP has no meaning when the car locomotive pulls you to an easy 80mph cruise with no sign of power dropoff. I try not to subscribe to societys definition of success, but I feel like Ive arrived in m E320 CDI.

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  1997 E320 - 1997 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By DrewH - November 12 - 2:00 am

  Very nice and still feels updated even at 5 years old. MB put features on this 1997 car that are just now showing up on 2002 Japanese and American vehicles. Ride, power and comfort are a perfect blend between sport and high end luxury. Safety is of upmost importance and all you need is in this car.

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  new mercedes benz - 2002 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By f42oc - November 12 - 2:00 am

  Car is fun to drive; service is great. Fun car