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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  A Great Machine - 2007 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Fedvet - September 18 - 11:10 pm

  Purchased a CPO E320 Bluetec with 24K miles. Impressed with build quality, drive ability, features. Im 64, 220 lbs, and have plenty of leg, hip and headroom both as a driver and as a passenger (can sit comfortably behind drivers seat which was set to my specs). Took a 1K mile shakedown to NW PA and averaged about 35.5 mpg in mostly highway driving between 70 - 75 mph. Stone quiet, provides a great sense of confidence in ride and handling qualities. Only quibble is the COMMAND radio system, for its apparent sophistication, has no satellite radio standard. I do not miss nav - thats why I use AAA maps!

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  Great time to buy - pricing is excellent - 2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By slaminsam - September 17 - 5:45 pm

  The Mercedes E350 convert is brand new for 2014 - a redesign, and well worth it. The interior is just sick....The Premium 1 Package anlong with the Sport Package are a must have with this car. The AMG wheels, wood and leather steering, Keyless Go options are a must. The Harman/Kardon Logic 7 stereo system, Navi & Rear Camera com[plete the driver experience. Bought it for my wife, and happy wife = happy Life - Sticker @ $68,945 - out the door in September $60,842 - wow

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  Nice looking but mechanical issues - 2006 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class
  By Don Bowzer - September 17 - 11:26 am

  This car looks great and is fun to drive, but spends way too much time in the shop. Had several major mechanical problems including complete transmission replacement and complete cooling system replacement, plus many ongoing and nagging electronic problems. Love car but cant afford repairs.

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  You would expect more from M-B. - 2000 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By Joes ML 320 - September 17 - 10:00 am

  First experience with M-B., and a frustrating one, had to be taken to the shop at least 10 times in the past 2 and half years, and was helped by road side assistance at least 6 times more, excellent treatment everytime at shop, but please....for $40K you would expect more. Shame on you M-B, to have this black sheep among your other exquisite siblings...

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  thumbs up for this baby benz... - 2003 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By adobo grease - September 17 - 10:00 am

  this baby benz (c240/w203) could pack more power but other than that it rides you to sleep. this car is for pure comfort and not made to go fast. i guess its better that way because it does make necks turn as you drive by slowly...

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  definitely a great car buy!!! - 2003 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By bostondmd - September 17 - 10:00 am

  great car and fun to drive. puts a smile on my face everytime i get behind the wheel. excellent blend of luxury and performance for a 6 cyclinder.

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  The Best SUV - 2007 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class
  By Louis Magnani - September 16 - 4:43 pm

  I have had other SUVs Mercedes Benz, BMW, Cadillac, lexus and I love my new GL the Best. I t can tow my boat with no problem and I can go on vations with my family. I love the handling and the drive.

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  New M-B GL450 Review - 2007 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class
  By Gary S. - September 16 - 2:36 am

  I have only owned it a week and love it. It has more room than my previously owned 2006 VW Touareg, which was a good crossover SUV which did not enough room for my three sons, even after one just departed for college. Also, the M-B GL450 is so much nicer then my previous 2000 Lincoln Navigator relative to ride, gas mileage, and just plain sophistication. The M-B Tex interior is well worth forgoing the extra $1650 for leather, too. The only feature that could be improved is the back-up camera showing the actual orientation of the vehicle for parking, etc. My VW Touareg had this at $20K less. All in all, this is not a lot different in features then my wifes 2005 M-B S500. Just Great!

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  Nothing exceed$ like exce$$ - 2007 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
  By D.L. - September 15 - 5:26 am

  Stylish. Average MPG 11. Cheap vinyl visors. Sits low, getting in/out hard. Average quality leather. Terrible navigation. Command system is technology from 80s Radio Shack computers. Outdated 6-cd changer. Unless you keep A/C on auto (which gets loud) awful mildew smell emits from inside car--unevaporated H2O in pump system. Some things dont work from 1st day like cupholder. Porsche & BMW = better handling but SL550 better than SC430. Interior leather & wood & ergonomics are better in Lexus by far! but are better than 911 & 650i. Sound system: 1=sc430, 2=BMW & Infiniti, 3=911 & SL550. Build quality sub-par, very bad. You buy this car for sense of prestige not because its the best- its not

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  I Love My Baby! - 1999 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By Christine - September 15 - 12:43 am

  I have put 25,000 miles on my car in less than a year and have not had one problem. It has been on a 2,000 mile round trip to Key West effortlessly. I have taken it to the Mountains , had my camping gear in the trunk. This car has seen it all. This is my 4th Mercedes and I have nothing but praise for the 3 point star. Solid as a Rock.