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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  Disappointed - 2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class
  By N/A - September 26 - 10:00 am

  This vehicle has been a huge disappointment to me. It broke down and had to be towed in 20 degree temperatures when it had 1,100 miles. It needed a new gear shifter and the part took five days to find. Then the check engine light came on when it had 5,700 miles and it had a defective charcoal canister (a fuel problem) which had to be replaced. That part took three days to find. Fortunately the vehicle is still under warranty. I am going to be getting rid of it because I cannot trust it and I will never get another Mercedes-Benz again.

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  Nice car, few challenges. - 2006 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class
  By Richie Etwaru - September 25 - 10:23 pm

  I have had the opportunity to own and drive this car for an entire year now. Overall the experience has been enjoyable. I have owned Mercedes and BMWs in the past and while this car is marketed as a combination of a sedan and a coupe, I would submit that it also delivers a combination between a BMW and a Mercedes. The car performs very well, it manages its multiple personality disorder very well and is able stay under the radar as a chameleon transforming from executive luxury during the week in the employee parking lot to sporty/sexy transportation for a Saturday night out in New York City.

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  Driving feel being lost among electronics - 2005 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By jgo - September 25 - 5:03 am

  This is my 3rd MB. Owned an E500 4m for a year, and decided to sell. First the good news, the car was totally reliable and finely finished inside and out, but a few months of driving revealed a series of irritations that added up. Theres throttle lag in this model, and brakes are hard to modulate due to the SBC. The steering power assist at lo speed is non existent, and at any speed the wheel needs constant input to stay on line. The airmatic works well at speed in corners and to isolate cabin, but go over a bump at lo speed and your head will bob. My old E430 4m felt roomier and easier to drive in suburbia and city. This car is engineered to compete with BMW in autobahn conditions, not on Long Island.

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  Dream come true - 2007 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Aaron - September 23 - 11:33 pm

  I have had trucks for most of my life so I knew I had to get an all wheel drive car. This car is tops. I expected a little more power take off from the line, but the ride is so smooth you forget about it quickly. The interior is beautiful, and the trunk is loaded with space. I would have liked a little more radio control on the steering wheel though. And the turning signal switch is a little close to the cruise control switch and I hit it by accident sometimes, but Ill get used to that. Otherwise its the best car I ever had. I just bought the chrome kit for the headlights, exaust pipes, and tailights to top it off. All in all its a beautiful car.

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  LOOOVE IT, AMG FOR LIFE!! - 2004 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By Oleg Dyachuk - September 23 - 7:53 pm

  Love this car, this is my 5th car and first Benz. Bought this car at 97k miles and now I have 110k. Yes I had engine oil leaks coming from the oil filter housing and valve cover and breather covers. I fixed all those myself and it wasnt too bad. I still have to replace the transmission oil pan gasket because of a leak. Had to replace both front outer tie rods but this car has never left me stranded, so much power. I seriously smile everytime I drive it with the foot down. Front doors had a bit of rust on the bottom because the car was from Minnesota but I am in the process of changing both doors right now.

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  I expected the best and I got the best! - 2002 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Moises789 - September 23 - 12:40 pm

  My 2002 Mercedes-Benz E430 is an xcellent overall sedan. It has great performance, great handling, and has been trouble free.

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  My Second First Car - 1998 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Brian - September 23 - 2:30 am

  For my first car my parents bought me a 1990 Mercedes 300E. I loved that car but it was dangerously underpowered and didnt feel like getting in an accident when pulling into traffic. So I upgraded to my E430 Sport. I love this car! Most of my friends think its a 2005 or 2006. The ride is incredibly smooth, The power is amazing and The Climate Control system is awesome. All my friends envy the Bose Sound. I like all the little things Mercedes put in like the vents in the center console and the Rear Power Sunshade. I would recommend this car to anyone. I bet it will go over 300K miles. Mercedes-Benz is the best and I will only buy Mercedes Benz now.

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  Wolf in sheeps clothing - 2002 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By JP - September 22 - 4:40 pm

  I ended up selecting a near-mint 02 C32 over an equally pristine 04 M3 SMG after driving both back-to- back...twice. The C32 is such an interesting car. Its interior space is very functional seating 4 easily and comfortably. Its styling. Just technical enough and different enough to set it apart. And finally, its performance is eye opening if you pay attention - what I mean by that is the super-charged 3.2 is sooooo much smoother than the M powerplant in the M3, that unless you are truly aware of whats going on, you almost take it for granted. I would have given it a 10 in every category except its features are almost overwhelming. The fuel economy scores low - thats my foot.

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  So far...So good - 2002 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By Jimbob - September 22 - 4:00 pm

  Not really that powerful, but economical, despite the premium fuel demand. Avg mpg 17/21. No cost maintenence (warranty). No cost repair (even light bulbs and wiper blades). Ride could be softer. Seats could use lumbar. The heater will roast you and the AC will keep you cool. Sun roof, power rear wing windows...Why? I replaced the brake pads at 20K for ceramic, no wear. If the car is parked for 3 days, the security system drains the battery dies. Video system...Why? Would I buy another? No...initial cost, but then, the 2006 model has been very nicely upgraded!!! ;-)

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  Seduced by Styling - 2011 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class
  By rcf8000 - September 22 - 3:52 pm

  The GL is a mixed bag of the great and not so great. The latter would include the ride quality and road noise, although my car has the 20 inch wheels and runflat tires, which may be worse than the standard 19 inch wheels. I find the seats to be a bit too firm, but then I find most luxury car seats to be too firm. The nav screen is a joke. Its too small, and the lettering is too small. And I cant read it at all when wearing sun glasses. But the guidance to programmed destinations works well. My car has the running boards, which make getting in and out somewhat awkward. They look good though!