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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  Respectable, but not too exciting - 2008 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By dpj1 - September 6 - 3:36 am

  The car drives pretty well, but the stiff suspension can be rough on bad L.A. streets. Acceleration is OK, much better than the C300, but not as great as I would have hoped. What is great is how much better mileage I get than my old car. I pay $500/month (incl. tax) on my lease, but I save over $100/month in fuel. The car is comfortable and generally pretty quiet. It is a good all-around transportation vehicle. Surprisingly ample room for passengers and luggage.

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  Works for me - 2005 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Pitt diver - September 6 - 1:10 am

  I love this car. After owning it for 2.5 years, its been in the shop once, for an oil change. Absolutely nothing has gone wrong. A very fast car with just the right balance between race car performance/handling and luxury tourist. Gas mileage on the highway going 75 mph with A/C on around 27 mpg and city around 16 mpg which is amazing considering the large fast engine.

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  This Car is Great - If you know what to Buy! - 1999 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By John Sakon - September 5 - 6:51 pm

  I purchased my 1999 MB-320 when it was 3 years old with 12,500 miles. I have since driven is 217,000 miles. It is reliable, dependable and I get reasonable gas mileage. Mind you, this is the year when the Germans came to America to fix the MB American plant. The 1998 model was assembled by the Americans and was a total piece of crap. It broke. The 1999 had the same problems up to about April 1999. Then the Germans came in and straightened things out. So if you buy this used, carefully look at the date of manufacture. If it is prior to April, run! If it is after April, you have a good truck. Two problems to watch out for. The check Engine light comes on and the dealer wants $450-$700 to fix. This is a total rip off. The MB Bosch Mass Air Flow Sensor retails for $350. However, a cheap British Car uses the exact same Bosch Mass Air Flow Sensor as the ML and it can be purchased for $150. Twenty minutes with a screw driver and reset the computer and your Check Engine LIght problems are solved. One time I was traveling and the my car dies. Only one occurance. Wait a while and it was fine. Limped to my mechanic (car dies and then drives) and he replaced a $5 ignition part. End of Story. Buying a used ML I would talk to a good MB mechanic and id that part. He will know the culprit off the top of his head. Just replace it immediately. If you treat this car nice, it will treat you nice. Get good tires (Michelin). You can use cheap gas. The computer adjusts. You sacrifice some power, but you will catch everybody at the next light. This care likes to do 80. It hates doing 60. It can do 90 to 100 without any problem. So if you are out west, it is good on those long lonely highways. Take care!

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  Love This Car - 2000 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class
  By appeal2 - September 5 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car with 2500 miles on it back in summer of 2000. I put on another 26000 miles the past two summers. The car is a classic. Mine came loaded with nav, orthopoedic seats, xenons and cd changer. It rides like a dream. The brakes are the best of any car I have ever owned. Stopping from 60-0 seems to take place in about 105 feet. It eats front tires in about 16k miles. Gas mileage comes in about 18-21. Its pretty peppy, 0-60 in 7.4+. Engine has a nice growl when accelerating. Taking down the top is easy but not one touch. Sound system could be better, but is adequate. Doesnt matter when youre doing triple digits with the top down.

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  excellent - 2004 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By Gelu - September 5 - 2:00 am

  The best car Ive ever driven!

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  Still Luv It - 2001 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By Still Luv It - September 5 - 2:00 am

  I have nothing but praise for this vehicle as it is exciting to drive (Sport), has served its purpose (Utility), and has been a good daily commuter (Vehicle). I still get plenty of looks with the Sport package and the service received from the Cincinnati store has been impeccable. It must be said that any and all cars will have minor issues arise throughout its ownership and this ML320 Sport has been no different - although nothing has been horribly wrong (worst was when the window stuck in the down position during a winter drive...Roadside Assistance took care of it within 25 minutes).

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  Gas Hog - 2003 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By Madman - September 5 - 2:00 am

  The gas mileage on this vehicle has been awful. The sticker states it gets 15 city 18 hwy. I have yet to get 13 on the highway and I am lucky to get 11 around town. It is a noisy vehicle and really needs steering wheel audio controls. My GMC Yukon is overall a much better vehicle. The third row is even smaller than expected. It is pretty much useless.

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  C320 4matic sport sedan - 2004 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By Ejlasalle - September 5 - 2:00 am

  Excellent performance, excellent value, dependability, comfort, responsive. The vision is excellent, making it an all around wonderful experience.

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  excellent - 2004 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By couper - September 5 - 2:00 am

  love it,fun to drive,sexy design,super comfortable seats,quality workmanship,fantastic dealer relationship

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  C230 Coupe(OK, Its a hatchback). - 2003 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By Benzbaby - September 5 - 2:00 am

  This is a solid, quiet, fast, sporty, comfy riding, economical, comfortable on long trips, reasonably priced vehicle. The automatic is slower shifting than the manual but is versatile. Brakes are strong & progressive. Lighting systems & controls are sturdy/effective. Very roomy with back seats down. A bit awkward to back up due to lack of clear rear view or side rear views. Tracks well and feels secure and safe. Great car.