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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  More attention to detail - 2004 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class
  By rjholtz001 - May 18 - 2:00 am

  We had the same model in 2001. There have been imporvements to the "cowl shake" in the front end. The cup holder is ridiculous. It is high on the dash and out of the way to reach. There is only one cupholder. The 2001 had two cupholders in the center console (for use by both front and rear passengers. The Command Navigation System is primitive compared to the DVD based systems of Toyota and Lexus. It is difficult to operate and poor technology as well as not being accurate.

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  1999 C280 - 1999 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By c4drm - May 15 - 2:00 am

  This is my families 1st and will likely be our last Mercedes. This car was a peach when purchased used, low miles and in great shape. However it has been nothing short of a complete disapointment. Far too many problems and a rapping when getting repairs. Ive had my Toyota for 8 years and have already spent more on repair costs on the Mercedes in the 2 years Ive had it. And I have had it with this car. If you have one, best of luck.

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  Mercedes C-240 ? This is Mecedes Quality - 2002 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By Going Back To Lexus - May 11 - 10:00 am

  Rear window fell out, Dash went out, Alternator went out, head gaskets went out leaking anti freeze into motor, oil pump and sensor went out, front end squeaks, back sunshade broke, seats lost leather color in less than 6K miles, drivers seat broke " back fell off" need I say more? think I have a true Lemon Here. Working with MB to Buy car back however...not sure what they want to do yet however.

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  Ride Quality??? - 2014 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class
  By Paul - May 9 - 3:37 am

  I test drove a 2014 cls550 4matic with 50k on the clock, I was not impressed by the ride quality at all, I expected the air ride to be more comfortable, I felt every crack in the road and the road noise was bad, the tires were new with plenty of tread, I will stick with my 2014 Audi s5 prestige much smoother ride and less road noise....also the the head room was terrible even in the driver seat and Im 6 foot....my 2 door s5 has much more head room.

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  A dream turned into a nightmare. - 1999 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class
  By "G" - May 4 - 2:00 am

  Ive had my clk for almost 4 years. Was planning to keep it 4 ever but as you will see that was wishful thinking. The durability of the car is not what I would have expected from "Mercedes". They replaced the catalytic converter twice. The rear shade twice. The heated seat coils once and I still get blown fuses. When I spoke to the dealer about having to add oil more often than I should, their response was, the rings should have been replaced by 50K. Also Im starting to have some starter issues. A $46,000 car with options and taxes. I WILL NOT BUY ANOTHER ONE. Good luck to all that have the 99 model.

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  Beautiful piece of junk - 2003 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By gotta_mb_lemon - April 30 - 2:00 am

  Bought a 2003 E320 in October. Loved it at first. Since then its been in the shop 4 times. Three audio system failures, central gateway controller failures (kinda scary in a brake-by- wire car), thermometer and an apparent engineering glitch in the way the door locks in the drivers side door is built. It sticks and wont open sometimes. Mercedes corporate hasnt even bothered to contact us and express their concern. Dont but this car.

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  First Mercedes, not to happy - 2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By Simon - April 11 - 7:25 am

  Good: my average 30 m/g and the record on hwy 44 m/g, led light, sound with package Bad: eco stop/start was fixed by the dealer by replacing main computer, waiting for replacing hinge of the passenger door, start some engine noise on idle, bad driver seats(too tight), bad wipers response and too slow on heavy rain, wind noise, GPS by Garmin(do not buy it)

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  Longing for a Lexus - 2005 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Mistake in Philly - March 31 - 10:03 pm

  I have a 05 E500 sedan and wagon (4- matic) The sedan has been a problem since day one. The wagon has been a joy to own and since it is my wifes I dont get it that often. The sedans brakes have been and continue to be an issue. The electronic brake system needs to be trashed. After numerous trips back to the dealer due to the hydralic pump activating for no reason, the system was finally replaced. The brakes have been squeaking even after 2 "treatments". The wipers "stink on ice". In addition, it is not as quick as my wagon. There is a noticeable lag in acceleration. I am truly disappointed in this car-- especially for the price. Thank God I leased it. Mercedes can have it back.

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  Never again! - 2004 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Eric G - March 29 - 12:16 am

  What a nightmare! Its just so much fun to drive a 6 year old Mercedes with only 52,000 miles that doesnt have an operational radio. There is a widely known issue with the radio with these vehicle (go ahead and Google 2004 e500 radio problems) yet no one at MB cares! The dealers wont go to battle for you even though they acknowledge its a widely known issue. MB Customer Care? Well arent they the most pompous and arrogant individuals on the planet. Go buy something else, there are far better luxury automobiles out there.

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  leaky trans - 2005 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By neepy - March 21 - 10:00 am

  2005 ml 500 sp edition.Transmission leaks after just 2000 miles , dealer replaced valve body, after two weeks , found a pool of trany fluid on the floor, back at dealer, not so sure about reliabilty , should of bought a Porsche pepper.