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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  E420 Review - 1997 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Gziut - August 30 - 8:13 pm

  I bought this car used, with extra low milage, from an owner in Italy. Although I was never a MB nut, I can see why people love the brand. It is, for a 13 year old car, a step above most cars that are supposedly younger, better etc. and cost the same if not more. While reliability is an issue in the W210s, you cant expect a 13 year old car to be flawless or not experience any mechanical failures from wear and tear. From my research, the W210s are the last of the proper German engineered and assembled MBs (some say the W124s were the last such breed). If you are planning on buying a used W210, especially the E420, take it to an honest MB dealer and get it thoroughly checked. Then enjoy.

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  Good Used SUV - 2001 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By victor - August 29 - 8:20 am

  I have owned this car for 2 years and have experienced some major repairs; however, the big stuff has been covered by warranty first dollar. My biggest gripe has been the fuel mileage - 17 MPG; however, the trade off is a larger vehicle that is comfortable and very safe, as well as stylish. You can get a used ML for as low as $6500, depending on the mileage. If you are into long drives and/or need a larger vehicle, I would recommend. I am looking to down size now as the vehicle meet its purpose with no major compliants.

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  A Great Car for the Money - 2003 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By Todd - August 28 - 7:36 am

  Ive owned my C240 for a little over 4 years. Having previously owned a 1997 Toyota Camry, Ive found Mercedes to be quite reliable, though not as reliable as the Camry. The exterior has worn well, with a good deal of shine still left in the paint (I have no garage). The interior, however, is quite cheaply made and it shows. A later redesign dealt with this issue. I plan to buy another C-Class sedan when the redesigned 2008 model appears.

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  R350 - 2006 Mercedes-Benz R-Class
  By B Factor - August 28 - 1:36 am

  I have owned other Mercedes my last was a ML500.When the lease was over I though of another but then decided on the New R. Looked at the 500 R but when I drove the 350 I found it was just fine the power no need for the bigger engine. I have found it to be a excellent car and the new 350 engine execellent in power and gas milage. It offers all of the SUV I had plus handles like a car. I am glad I made this choice and the lease offer thru my dealer was fine.

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  C350-LL - 2006 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By modern54 - August 27 - 10:20 am

  Overall the vehicle is nice. There does need to be some changes as with any vehicle. It has a nice smooth quiet ride...I am coming from a Nissan 350Z which was LOUD and bumpy. The car feels to me a little stuffy for my age group late 20s. but I think it has more to do with the interior tan anything else. The cars stereo system is a bit weak.

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  Our first Mercedes-Benz - 2008 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class
  By KBKBDB - August 26 - 3:26 am

  So far, so good. We were in the market for a SUV. Test drove the Acura MDX, BMW X5 4.8i, and the GL. We were impressed by all three vehicles but ultimately the GL was the way to go--truly appreciate the usable third row seats.

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  Over 150k and going strong - 1998 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By Eman - August 25 - 7:20 pm

  Reliable SUV, driven hard for 150k miles. Great in snow, mud and rough roads. 22 mpg at 75 mph. Low range has come in handy several times. Some maintenance issues with electronics, suspension and engine mounts.

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  E320 Diesel Rocks - 2005 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Rich Birckbichler - August 25 - 1:06 pm

  Love drive and feel. Get 600 miles + per tank which really saves time at the pump (and cash). Car simply looks classy, even when dirty. Issues w/known quality problems with power window mechanism. Both rear windows became disconnected, the right side twice. Dealer says Mercedes knows, but they have not found fix. Car stalls when gas is pressed to far which is an issue for pulling into traffic. Fog lights have an inherent fault as does the A/C sensor on the outside. Bumber cover for winter heater plug and tow ring falls off and is expensive to replace. However, no other car beats its styling, so faults can be overlooked.

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  High maintenance car, low quality - 2000 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By Stefan - August 23 - 2:23 pm

  Bought the car in Oct 2000 new, loved it for the longest time. But then the little things started, later got bigger and bigger. Like so many else had to get new brake pads every year (~$300), and new rotors every other year (~3,000). Then a pipe in the steering wheel went out on a 2hr trip. The pipe ($2?) was covered by warranty, the $1,500 damage to the steering wheel was obviously not covered. Great. Got it repaired, drive out the dealership, next day power brakes warning light goes on, damaged from some problem, another $1,500. Not with me, my friends. Bought a 2003 Nissan Murano just now, and the ride is so much smoother and more comfortable, no service issues.

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  Pay to Play - 1999 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By pinky - August 23 - 10:00 am

  Really fun to drive. Love the immediate response when I press the gas. Purchased used w/ 63K miles from a mom & pop dealership (Big Mistake!!!) Stay w/ a larger dealership who offers the MB warranty or you will regret it!! In less than 10 months already replaced the drag link ($500) and condenser ($1200) My independant warrranty covers harly anthing costly.