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 DESIGNED AND BUILT E 350 SPORT SEDAN TO DATE - 2014 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By abacomike - April 27 - 8:47 pm

  I just purchased my 2014 Mercedes Sport Sedan. The new design of the front grille-work, rear quarter panels and rear end are a marked improvement over the 2010-2013 models. The vehicle handles and corners beautifully and the ride seems more solid and smoother than previous models, all of which I have owned. The newly designed dashboard, instrument cluster and NAV screen are truly rich and stunning. They have included ECON start/stop for improved city fuel economy. It cuts the engine when the car comes to a complete stop and your foot is on the brake. Once you remove your foot from the brake, the engine automatically restarts. This feature can be disabled, if desired, by button.

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  Best Car Ever - 2006 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By J - April 27 - 1:23 pm

  I love this car! Its attractive, has great handling and is also innovative and convenient. The interior design allows for great comfort for both the driver and passengers. The navigation system comes in handy as well. Its an ideal car for a family or just one person. Its not too big and not too small. Its perfect. Id highly recommend purchasing this automobile if youre in the market for a reasonably priced SUV.

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  2008 CLK550 Coupe - 2008 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class
  By JP - April 27 - 3:53 am

  Just a great car! Performance is amazing, handling is excellent without sacrificing too much ride quality, and the brakes are phenomenal. I bought the car 4 months ago and am averaging 18mpg, pretty good for 5.5l V8. Bizarrely this is better mileage than I got from my 2005 C320. My only complaint is that sometimes the transmission gets confused, especially if flooring the throttle at around 20-25mph. There is a noticeable lag before things start happening. Also watch it in the rain, it will spin the rear tyres at 70mph under full acceleration.

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  Over rated - 2005 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By RWM - April 26 - 4:50 am

  I purchased the C230 Sport Coupe to replace a 2000 Mitsu Eclipse. Big mistake. The Benz has a pretty face, but is a dog to drive. With a slow- shifting transmission and poor cornering,the fun-to-drive factor is on a par with an inexpensive Japanese or Korean car. Quality is a concern also, with problems with the SRS system; alignment; rattles etc. Last week I cut my losses and traded for a 2005 Honda S2000, which is getting about the same mileage. With the car being over-rated and over-priced, I wouldnt recommend a Benz to anyone at this point!

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  Reliable MB - 2004 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By keifer - April 25 - 11:50 pm

  I bought this new for my wife back in 2004. The car has been very reliable, and has maintained its quality feel throughout the years of ownership. Only issue with this vehicle was a disappointing need to service some suspension components. Dealer said it was due to wear and age. At the time, the car only had 45,000 miles, but was 5 years old ... guess I question parts that wear just because of age versus miles. Ready for a new car, and MB will be in the consideration (although the price has gotten a bit past the competition). Overall, still quite happy with the vehicle.

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  Continuous Costly Maintenance - 2011 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class
  By Ken - April 24 - 10:47 am

  Here is a list of repairs on our GL350, 2011: 1. Fuel system changed, fuel rail, high pressure fuel pump, all 6 fuel injectors $600 each in part, total cost > $5000. 2. AdBlue preheater, $1300 part, total $2100 3. Pending issues, oil cooler seal leak, estimate $2800, part and labor 4. Pending issues, cold start rattling noise; most likely due to timing chain stretch MUST buy extended warranty if you still want this car. Highly recommend to wait until next business management change at corporate level to bring back their quality products. Currently, its way below acceptable standard of practicing good business.

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  Lookinjg for Number 2 - 1998 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By Hillbilly in Tenn - April 24 - 2:00 am

  Well, I just rolled my wifes down a hill a month ago and were looking for the next one. I rolled one time on a 40- 50 ft railroad embankment and drove it out on its own power the next day. I was completely unharmed. I will continue driving the exact same 320 in "as-is" condition around town as a testiment to the safety of this vehicle

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  good to keep - 1999 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By pjtmcdonald@comcast. - April 24 - 2:00 am

  it is a great and safe to drive car

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  My E 500 - 2004 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By MatthewJohnson - April 24 - 2:00 am

  I just bought it--and love it.

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  Love, love, love this car - 2007 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By Melanie T - April 22 - 2:00 pm

  Even for the least inexpensive model Mercedes, this car packs a lot of power and appeal. My family, who swears by the Mercedes name, are all fans of my little white sport sedan. Although many see the styling as dated, I believe Mercedes has retained its signature good looks and performance. Great handling, monster sound, and impressive acceleration. Im not an expert obviously, but even the biggest car enthusiast I know recommends this car. Im in love!