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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  Best Family Van Ever - 2010 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter
  By Dave D - August 21 - 5:03 pm

  We purchased our standard height, 144 WB Sprinter to accomodate our family of 8. Let me just say this is an outstanding vehicle. We purchased it based on the SAFETY and comfort features that MB offers. Also, there is a good 2-3 feet behind the 3rd row, which provides ample space for stollers, and groceries, and suitcases without having to remove the 3rd row. Driving is very comfortable and my petite wife doesnt feel lost behind the wheel on the road. It feels like you are driving a car and you get no hint of the size of the van...until you go to park it. The 144WB is big without being too big and still fits in a parking space, although you take ever last inch of it. A great, great van.

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  Mercedes E 500 4matic - 2004 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Ahad - August 19 - 3:06 pm

  The car is perfect. The car just goes once you put your foot on the gas. The GPS is amazing. The directions it gives you are way better than BMWs GPS system. Other features I like are distronic, its really helpful on a long drive.I also like the push button starter altough you could get mixed-up when changing the gears. Also the solar panels are great for hot days because when you leave the car outside for a long time the solar panel would use its energy to keep the car cool.

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  Great Car! - 2003 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class
  By chaosminer - August 17 - 10:00 am

  This car is my first Mercedes -- I was checking into purchasing an SLK and was told of the waiting list.... I was about to leave the dealership when I noticed that a new car had been wheeled into the showroom. I liked the way it looked, test drove it and bought it a few minutes later. It has sufficient acceleration at highway speeds, it has style, and it is easy to drive. After spending a year driving this car daily, my wifes Lexus feels like a collection of parts travelling in roughly the same direction.

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  Fun at a great price - 2003 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By Never Grow Up - August 17 - 10:00 am

  I love my little Mercedes. It is so distinctive to look at and very fun to drive. It never lets me down. When I press the pedal down - off we go. I was a little leary about buying a starter level Mercedes - the thought of paying for just the name. mBut that wasnt so. What is so is the dealerships treats me like royalty, whether is spent $27K or $270K. THey and Mercedes have made a believer out of me. I dont think Id ever go back to a non-Mercedes vehicle. Buy it with confidence and Enjoy!

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  mid life convertable - 2003 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
  By jack1560 - August 17 - 10:00 am

  i have made it. driving this car shows i know automobles. i have owned bmw, Ferrari and many many cars. The car handles like it is on a rail. With the top down and the roll bar up i can still maintain a conversation with my passenger without yelling. I like driving the car by myself and just get into the driving and shifting.

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  The C240 is Best In Class - 2001 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By JSO - August 16 - 11:00 pm

  The MB C240 is by far the best car in its class. It combines the latest saftey features with leading edge styling, it raises the bar for the competition while paying homage the rich history of its marque. There is no other car in the $32-$38 price range that offers the luxury, safety, performance and status of the MB C.

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  2007 Mercedes ML-350 - 2007 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By mnmark12 - August 15 - 11:46 pm

  Recently purchased ML350. Did extensive test driving with Volvo Sport, BMW MX5, Lexus GX470, and others. The more I drive this vehicle the more I like it. Too new to say much about reliablity. Interior is a nice refined look and feel. Everything is easily within reach, not difficult to understand/use. Bought P2, sport, heat, and lighting packages, ipod integration. Love all of it. I do wish it had better acceleration, but for a 6 cylinder it isnt bad. Volvo sport is faster and corners better, but ride is stiffer, could hear muffler more, and the back seat was tighter (surprisingly) than the ML. Like BMWs (have 740i), but X5 ride was also stiff and its the 1st yr of the model

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  I wish they still made this car!!! - 1995 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
  By The Best Car Ever! - August 15 - 10:00 am

  We have owned our S320 LWB MBZ for 15 years this car has been solid reliable and great on fuel( strait 6cyl is a bit underpowered until u gear down and get the tranny involved). SINCE warranty,we have replaced;wiring harness, and the AC was not blowing out the vents that someone else mentioned but it was NOT 4K to fix.New head liner and the radio antenna and just recently struts($900) and catalytic converter, front suspension from wear and tear but I dont think u can fault the car for that. Also some window switches and now the left rear door window motor is out. Rear AC vent and some makeup mirror hinges have broken. This car still rides like a dream and has so many quality features!!

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  Wonderful Ride - 2005 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Ohio Driver - August 14 - 8:00 pm

  Recently purchased the E500 at several thousand under dealer invoice. This car is fantastic. It has great power, comfort, and with the adjustable suspension, a great ride for any occasion. The dynamic seats are a feature Ill never be without again. The mileage is good considering the power and my heavy foot. Better than 27 mpg highway and 22 overall per the onboard computer. Navigation makes driving in new places a breeze. Takes the guess work out of knowing where you are. The transmission is smooth, but the brakes are a bit touchy. Takes a while to get used to them. My other car is a C320 and it now feels slugish by comparison.

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  Excellent car to buy - 2001 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By haris - August 14 - 6:40 pm

  I bought the vehicle 1 1/2 years ago and I am loving it. I got a great deal on it and so far didnt have to put any money into it except maintnence/oil changes