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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  Always Will - 2003 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By khanbaba - December 16 - 12:30 am

  Bought my 2003 E320 with 35,000 in August 2007. Also bought an extended warranty through Mercury Insurance out of Oklahoma City for up to 5 additional years or 100,000 miles for $3,000. The warranty paid off. Parkplace Motorcars in Dallas maitained it and I never had to spend any money on it for 5 years other than normal wear and tear. Its been a great car and now has 101,000 miles. Ready to put new Michelin tires now. I intend to keep it unless someone who appreciate a well maintained/documents car and offers me what I cant refuse. My wife drives it like her own baby.

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  1994 Mercedes-Benz SL - The Greatest - 1994 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
  By happy jim - December 15 - 7:33 pm

  I have owned my 1994 Mercedes-Benz SL for three years. If you do the maintenance required every 15,000 miles and change the oil every 3,000 miles all you need to do is put tires and brakes on it. It is the most reliable car that I have ever had. I cant get over the fact that it is ten years old and still turns heads.

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  The best car I ever bought - 2008 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By rose - December 15 - 4:06 am

  Most comfortable little car Ive ever owned. It handles the road very well especially when making turn and sudden stop.

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  Exelent vehcile - 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Russ Blondeck - December 14 - 7:03 pm

  This is simply the best vehicle in the world. Its way more roomy and comfortable than my wifes 5 series. I wouldnt think twice about buying another one.

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  2011 S63 AMG - 2011 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
  By mmc6 - December 14 - 4:26 pm

  Traded in my 2008 S63 AMG for a 2011 S63 AMG, and couldnt be more disappointed, the 2011 is a dog in comparison. The pedal is squishy and sloppy with absolutely no feel under foot. The marriage between the engine and transmission is horrible, it is rough, clunky and far from smooth. Because i had a previous S63 which completely out preformed this 2011, i have a hard time driving this new one, specifically because it brings so much disappointment. This will be a money loosing short lived car for me, dont waste your money, find a clean 2008 youll be much happier.

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  Great car! - 2007 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By gdahl - December 14 - 7:30 am

  My first Mercedes and Im very impressed. Test drove a 2006 E320 CDI last year and the difference between the 2006 and the 2007 model is substantial. The 2007 is much more quiet both inside and out. The torque produced by this engine is amazing. Considered a Lexus GS but this Mercedes just presented a more luxurious profile to me. The dealer I purchased from also installed the 18" 10-twin-spoke rims which really made this car stand out.

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  Think Twice - 1998 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By unhappyMLowner - December 13 - 10:00 am

  Purhased my ML after experience with 2 previous MercBenz. I was immediately disappointed just weeks after purchase, when the first vibrational noise (rattle) develop. Took it back to dealer who tried but could not fix. Six months later, the drivers window switch stopped working. Approx. 9 months later, a selinoid in the tranny had to be replaced. Then, the crank pully let go, damaging the oil pan and other parts of the engine...BOTTOM LINE- about $5500 and dozens of trips to the repair shops, I have had enough.

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  Rocket Ship for 5 Please! - 2004 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
  By rkb - December 13 - 10:00 am

  The S55 with nearly 500 horsepower is as fun to drive as any sports car Ive owned. Its solid, comfortable, well built, good looking and enough room to carry 4 sets of golf bags or plenty of luggage in the trunk.

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  SUV for the Winter - 2003 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By P. Murphy - December 13 - 10:00 am

  Great vehicles, not unstable, very good visual, safe stable ride

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  Fantastic automobile - 2004 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By powstmn - December 13 - 10:00 am

  When I get in my car, I smile uncontrollably. Performance is great, I can go as fast as I would ever want to, the finish and materials are top- notch, it feels like the S-Class, and I cant wait to try out the 4-matic in the Snow. On top of this, I get better mileage than I did with my VW Jetta. I have become a Benz lifer; I cant imagine driving anything else.