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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  this car is got eletrical prolem - 2002 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Danny Le - August 18 - 2:00 am

  maybe its just my car. this car is got 2 many computer stuff and wires. my CD changer can never be fixed amd i tried 3 times. this car is pure luxury and performance, but the germans need to put efforts on the wirings.

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  Joes opinion - 2004 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By The Joe Smith - August 18 - 2:00 am

  Love this vehicle, all advantages of SUV and it drives like a car, smooth and quiet.

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  best suv ever - 2003 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By mer her - August 18 - 2:00 am

  this was the best suv ever tested

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  Expected More - 2004 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Johnny Ca$h - August 18 - 2:00 am

  The ride is much harsher than you would expect from a car with adjustable air suspension. The engine makes a lot of noise somewhat like a diesel.The engine should run smoother considering it has two spark plugs per cylinder.

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  Review of 2004 C240 Sedan - 2004 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By dietmar - August 18 - 2:00 am

  This car is really fun to drive. Sofar it has had zero (0) defects. The styling is contemporary. This model is cheaper than most SUVs and the treatment from the dealer and Mercedes- Benz is fantastic. Since there is a possibility of expensive repairs, I bought the extended warranty.

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  Do not buy a Benz - 2001 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By GK - August 18 - 12:26 am

  I bought this vehicle from a corporate car dealer with original warranty still on vehicle. In the past 1 year I have been at the mercedes dealership more than 10 times. CD changer went out, instrument panel display went out, a/c noise, front suspension bushings replaced, exhaust pipes 2 of them replaced, and many more small problems. The loaner car guy knows me by name now, I have been there so many times. My Acura 3.2tls is a much better car. I will never-ever buy a Mercedes again. Too many problems and always in the shop.

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  My 2002 CL55 - 2002 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class
  By IAF - August 16 - 10:00 am

  I have owed numerous other high end luxury and sports cars such as the SL Mercedes, Porche 911 . This is the finest blend of luxury and performance that I have experienced. The extraordinary attention to details is noteworthy. Although I have only owed the car for 6 months, I cant remember being quite as impressed with my other vehicles.

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  They Keep Getting Better and Better.... - 2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By abacomike - August 16 - 2:00 am

  Traded in my 2010 E350 Sport for a 2011 E350 Sport, new one is black with almond/black interior, fold down rear seats, premium 1 pkg and tire/wheel pkg. Rides as good as the 2010. Nice improvement with LED daytime running lights. Navigation outstanding w/voice command system. Ride and handling is superb. This one is quieter on the road due to Continental Tires vs. Pirelli Tires on my 2010. Build quality is astounding. Fit and finish are great. Paint is flawless, rare in a black car. Addition of one button for front and rear fog lights, big improvement. Fuel economy is about the same as I experienced with the 2010. Got car because of a great deal, didnt need it, but what a DEAL!

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  The new E Class has it all - 2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Anonymous - August 16 - 2:00 am

  Great beauty from the get go. The overall looks are amazing. No one can say that its just another mid sized car! It definitely has its personality. Drive is fun but you must learn to use the paddle shifters to gain optimal performance, dont expect it out of the box. Overall the drive is smooth, but a few strange sounds have come in the past couple of months when I have backed it out of my drive way making me thank God that I still have warranty.

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  Great balance of comfort and performance - 2008 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By Eric - August 16 - 1:46 am

  After test driving all the usual suspects in this category (BMW 3, Audi A4, Lexus IS350), I found this vehicle to have the best balance of style, comfort and performance (not to mention best brand value and brand recognition). After 4,000 miles, I have to say I love this vehicle. It brings a smile every time I sit in it. And it still smells like brand new!