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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  Love it - 2006 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By lms - January 19 - 8:43 pm

  Improved look of the vehicle over the previous models. The handling is great especially in difficult weather. Inside, enjoy lumbar support, seats, and spacious cargo. Great power with the V8 in our hilly community both freeways and city drives. Finally feeling safe and comfortable during commutes. Excellent car. Needs some cosmetic work inside. Too much plastic but if you choose less options, you get what you pay for.

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  I loved my ML430! - 1999 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By Pette_Shops - January 18 - 10:00 am

  I purchased my ML430 pre-owned(1 other owner) in 2004. The car was well taken care of and the maintenance books showed that the original owner KEPT THE MAINTENANCE UP on schedule!! When I purchased it had 40k miles at 5 years old at the time. I too kept the maintenance up with a VERY good Mercedes Benz dealership and this SUV did not give me 1 problem, until 5 years later at 120k, normal wear and tear and aging. At that point, any car will need replacement maintenance. I really enjoyed my ML 430, this has been a very good car to me and my family. Safe, reliable, beautiful...it aged very well, people were shocked that it was 10 years old last year! I look forward to my next M-Series!

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  Great Ride - 1997 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By EJRooney3 - January 18 - 10:00 am

  I acquired this car about a year ago with 62K. I knew the previous owner and its service history. Immediately had overdue maintenance performed by indy mechanic for about $700 (vs. dealer who wanted $1500). Have since put 12K on car with no new problems, and averaging over 25 mpg in mixed driving. The car is not without issues: LR window motor doesnt work, drivers mirror needs replacement. These are common problems with these cars. Essential to have service complete service history before purchasing one of these cars.

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  2002 Mercedes S430 - 2002 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
  By Janet Carle - January 14 - 2:00 am

  I really like the handling of this car. It has a small turning radius which makes it great easy to park. It has great pick up and passing capabilities. I love the voice recognition.

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  Are We There Yet - 2007 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Sportsman1 - January 13 - 1:13 am

  The 2007 E550 offers many improvements over previous E models: 7 sp trans, 5.5 ltr motor and no electric brakes. I have just completed a trip to LV from OC and MB still needs to work on the air suspension. No setting works well. The AMG E-63 suspension (recalibration of the air suspension and thicker sway bars)which has had great reviews cannot be ordered on the E550, even though the 550 has 382HP? The E550 also comes with R rated M & S tires? The front rotors are cross drilled yet R rated tires? Per the owners manual if speeds over 100mph are anticipated the tires must be over inflated which may cause rough riding around town? If you like the styling drive a 550 BMW.

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  Disappointed - 2001 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By currentsearch - January 12 - 2:00 am

  Waited oh so long for this car. First Mercedes and all that but have to say that I am somewaht disappointed. Stereo reception is poor at best. Seats are really uncomfortable despite my best attempts to configure. The idea of having to pay extra for a CD player is a bit much. At the end of the day, should have gone with a used E or waited until I could afford a new E.

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  c230 - 2002 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By egregory - January 12 - 2:00 am

  loving it so far, this car makes my hour long commute tolerable. on had one minor problem with the sunroof, i think i made the right choice for my first car.

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  Great Design - 1997 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By pete51 - January 7 - 8:24 am

  I purchased this car as a certified pre-owned 12years ago, it was my first Mercedes. Until you have owned one for a period of time, you can not appreciate the brand and what Mercedes about. Over the years, we have made some costly repairs rear seal replacement and transmission replacement, but the car now has 257K on it and when compared to newer cars, I will still take my chances with this car. I have given it to my daughter as a first car, we considered a trade for new more up to date car, only problem we could not find a better safe first time car. Find a knowledgable Mercedes mechanic and enjoy a great car.

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  my german dodge - 2002 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By murrrcds - January 3 - 10:00 am

  This pieceof crap has been in for service 17 times in 25 months. A hoot to drive but the build quality and component parts are just rock bottom. The tuetonic elves have much to learn. This week it was in for 2 days because the parking brake tolerance was so small that as the weather warmed the brakes appied themselves. New rotors and disc were required. All under warrenty mind you but still. I dont want to know the entire service department my name.

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  Favorable - 2005 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Bill D. - January 1 - 10:53 pm

  This is the second "E" class I have owned. The first was an E320 Cab. Both cars are first rate. The only slight disappointment has been the gas mileage. My hope is that this will improve by the end of its first year. This hope is based upon the belief that the car will break-in and get better. Hope this is true. The ride and handling is as expected -- and quite good. I look forward to many years of driving pleasure.