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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  Nothing but regret!!!! - 2007 Mercedes-Benz R-Class
  By funandfamily - November 27 - 7:18 pm

  used 2007 R350. Did my homework but went against my gut and intelligence and bought a clean used r350 with 51k on it. Had the MB dealer check it out, check the codes..& 200plus to be extra careful. the history was good, so I bought the giant car my wife liked. I even forked out $400 to have the trans serviced to be extra thoughtful. Every two weeks since it goes to the dealer. One expensive thing after another. Power steering unit $1,100.00 Gas vapor purge valve $500.00 plus. Peeling rubber coating on controls... Now HVAC control stuck on full heat... Conclusion. It is not about the model, it is about MBs now third world manufacturing and reliability! ForSale

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  An SUV that keeps falling apart - 1999 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By Hoolala - November 22 - 1:43 pm

  This clunker I own has kept falling apart since 1999. Accordion skylight roof control died within 6 months, head lamp burned out in 9 month, rear cargo bay plastic sidewall cracked up and broken in 1-1/2 years, windows driver side windows control died in 2 years, one headlamp light bulb burned out in 9 months, lamp cover leaking water inside and got cataract-like problem that blocked light seriously, bad chair design that has blocked blood circulation in my right thigh every time I drive, no lumbar support that caused back pain, many mysterious noises all the time while driving, terrible OEM General tires that made the rear part skidded so dangerously every time turned. Super gas guzzler!

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  Sue For the Key Problem I did and won - 1998 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By susan - November 22 - 1:36 am

  Never buy first year of new model. The main problems are only 8 keys allowed to be made. I had 6 keys replaced first year by Mercedes who never told me that once you hit 8 keys the whole locking system must be replaced for $4500. Should have been a recall. I sued in small claims court and won. Windows switch bad in all of them. I have replaced 4 times they only last 3 months. Should have been recall. They knew these problems all along but it was cheaper for them if people sue then do a recall.

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  Unreliable Emission Control System - 2013 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Ken T - November 19 - 6:00 pm

  i have a 2013 E350 BlueTech Sedan. Has been driving this car since new, Vehicle has been serviced regularly at the Mercedes Dealers. At 52000 miles, Tail pipe began to blow smoke. Took it to the Mercedes Dealer at El Cajon, CA First diagnostic, Nox sensors failure. All 3 Not sensors replaced. Problem still exists, so AdBlue Injection valve was replaced, and then AdBlue tank was replaced. How is it possible that 5 components failed at the same time, at 52000 miles. The first 4 items are not covered by warranty. AdBlue tank was covered by Mercedes. They call it "Good Will" although tank is warrant for 7 years or 70,000 miles in the book. Is this the case of "trial & error" method to diagnose the problem, or are these components so unreliable? Replacement of the first 4 items - $2800. Does any one have this problem. Mercedes called me after I returned the survey. I gave Royce (MB) my feedback. Good conversation but I have not heard what their internal investigation reveals, or this is a case of just chit chat. Should I be concerned about what the next breakdown of the emission control system. Does anybody has this problem with the BlueTech emission system?

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  Mercedes does not stand behind product - 2006 Mercedes-Benz R-Class
  By tmerc - October 25 - 12:39 pm

  2006 Mercedes with 63,711 miles and has had all recommended service performed at the suggested mileage, including regular oil changes every 4,000 miles (synthetic oil). Car stalled without warning. Towed to Park Place Mercedes where it was diagnosed that pistons in cylinders 1 and 4 had come apart, requiring a complete engine block replacement. The cost of repair was quoted at $15,000.00. The value of the car, prior to the catastrophic event, as listed on Kelley Blue Book is $17,000.00 private sale. My expectation is that an engine on a well-maintained, vehicle should last beyond 63,711 miles, unless there are issues with quality of parts used, or the quality of the engine construction.

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  Do not buy this car! - 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By LED FOG LAMP LOVER - October 21 - 11:30 pm

  I bought this car in July 2009. Got 6k miles on it. Went in for service and the dealer did a software update. Now the beautiful led fog lamps dont work at night. Dealer (s) nor Mercedes Benz does not have a fix for this problem! One of the major reasons I bought this car is for those great looking led fog lamps. Car looks ugly without them. I wish Mercedes would refund me some $$$. Or fix the problem faster! Or replace the hardware and stop blaming the software!

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  POORLY BUILT CAR - 2003 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
  By HERB - October 3 - 10:49 am

  Just sold my 2003 SL 500 Designo had it for 7 years too many trips to the dealer for repairs a car with only 3300 miles had more problems than it should have had for a supposed quality car.Dealer told me dont keep this car without a warrantee at cost of $6800.00 The car lost to much value when sold.This car is a money pit needs expensive repairs every month. Great looking but not reliable stay away.

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  BIG GERMAN DISAPPOINTMENT - 1997 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By dr.falco - October 2 - 2:00 am

  My 4th benz will be my last. OK styling. Enough power but with a noticeable acceleration lag. Even with all the auto gadgets the seats were not comfortable. A great geezer car but not much else. Trans went out at 60000.

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  Lemon - 2000 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By lododwell - September 22 - 10:00 am

  Since purchasing this car I have been in the shop every to every other month. It is the worst built car I have ever owned. Mercedes should be embarrassed to sell this as a Luxury car. My service file is four inches thick and just about every moving part has at some time failed. I am currently looking to unload the car as soon as possible.

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  bad choice - 2000 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class
  By nana - September 18 - 4:40 pm

  Ive had a number of problems w/ my CLK 320. There was a serious leak underneath the dash; the drivers door bolts have come completely loose and had to be replaced. The tape deck was defective and had to be replaced. The interior design is very poor, with obstructed vision, bizarre controls, etc. Never, ever would I buy another Mercedes.