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:

• 

  Owning a 99 ML320 - 1999 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By irishpigdog - September 6 - 2:30 am

  I love the sensitivity of the gas pedal and the ease of the steering wheel, but the gas mileage is pretty sad. Handful of electrical panel problems, but nothing major. No engine problems so far from owning it for six years. Good vehicle.

• 

  ML500 I love this car - 2003 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By fbon - September 4 - 10:00 am

  I got my ML500 2 months ago (silver w/ Java interior) and the car is a blast. Best of all the punch of the 288hsp V8 will put a big grin on your face. Coming from a BMW 328, I can honestly say this SUV is truly a sporty utilitarian. Interior is splendid as far as confort. Some design improvement possible. Overall Mercedes Benz did a big effort in 2002 to correct/update most of the shortcomings of earlier versions just as soccer moms were rushing to the the X5s and Accura SUVs. This vehicle is hot!! again believe me. I already saw several black ML500 with Inspiration Edition and their big chrome grill in lots of cool places in NYC. No reliability issue to report so far.

• 

  Too many problems - 2003 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Hotelier - September 4 - 10:00 am

  I have experience all the problems everyone else has plus a hundred more. First was the A/C which fail twice, then I had a problem with the steering, they never where able to align it right and the car steers to the right more than it should (for safety). Then I had a problem with the switch that raises the vehicle, it always gets stuck, then my headrest stopped working, then my cd changer failed it does not work at all (I see this one is a classic),then my speakers are having a short circuit, then when I steer the wheel is making a horrible noise like a tire is loose, I also have the rattling on the engine, etc, etc, etc, etc

• 

  We shall see - 2007 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Sportsman1 - September 2 - 10:06 am

  Have owned E550 for 2 weeks. In shop for last three days. Voice command inoperable ,drivers side airbag inoperable, rattle in dash. Dealer followed MB bulletin, did not correct rattle. Quality still a question after all the QA/QC conferences held by MB. Leased vehicle based on a complete makeover per MB and the deletion of the Bosh electric brakes which cost MB dearly in warranty costs. Wife likes style of car which is better than a 550i BMW. However the adjustable air suspension is not calibrated correctly. Neither the soft, normal, or hard setting provide a satisfying ride. BMW still a better ride and a true drivers car. Sold one of the last 2001 BMW 740i sports to do deal, I hope this was not a big mistake.

• 

  Nice Ride but ------- - 2006 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By BamaBGone - September 2 - 10:00 am

  Overall nice car but breaks all around at 24K seems like poor quality. The car is babied and goes on country drives for the most part. I work from home so a trip to the store 2/wk. Now my wheel bearing is making noise with just 24K.

• 

  Second C - 2010 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By mbinny - August 31 - 4:28 pm

  Yes this is my second C class, the first being a 2005 C280 (The older body style) which I thought was the greatest car ever built giving you best of all worlds; Sporty, Luxury, Stylish, etc... I didnt think the car could get any better and then I test drove the 2010 C300 Lux 4matic and it was love at first sight all over again. The car is completely different but still has that MB feel of solid German egineering. Tight as a drum but smooth and confident in all areas; accel, stop, turn and hwy. I love this car. I look forward to driving it every chance I have.

• 

  OK CAR - 2002 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By VLADIMIR THEODOROF - August 29 - 2:00 am

  IS A HIGH QUALITY COMPONENTS CAR CHEAPLY BUILT. I WOULD OPT FOR 3.2L ENGINE ANY DAY (UNFORTUNATELY WAS NOT AVAILABLE IN 2002)

• 

  Back into a Mercedes again - 2009 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class
  By Bru - August 26 - 10:00 am

  Our last Mercedes was a 1996 C280 which we drove for 13 years, which was replaced by an Acura TSX. After seeing this beauty at the M-B dealer next door to Acura, three days later we traded in our 06 BMW 330ci convertible. After 6 months, we are very happy with the car overall, although in times where so much economic news is bad, you definitely feel the expense of owning a Mercedes. So far, three trips to the repair garage for minor glitches. First service appt. is $238 vs. $59 paid for our first Acura service. This car gets a ton of attention and compliments.

• 

  E350 Key to The Cure special edition - 2007 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Geo Rod - August 25 - 11:25 pm

  So far had the car for a month. Im very happy and satisfied with it so far... this special edition came with lots of extras! got it with 115K and it runs great. Well kept inside and out. Purchased the extended 24 month warranty just in case. The Karman Harmond stereo is amazing. I dont have to do much driving on a daily basis but find myself wishing I did just to enjoy more time behind the wheel. it has been a year now and I still feel the same about my car. It is amazing! I love it! no issues, runs great.

• 

  Not Enough for the Price - 2008 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By spicoli - August 20 - 11:16 am

  We were previously dedicated BMW owners however a lack of incentive programs on the new X5s led me to Mercedes. The vehicle we bought is pathetically equipped. We did buy an entry level model (only $46,000). But even at that price one would assume you would get some of the basics. I am very disappointed in the lack of features. Here is a list of what the vehilce does not have that all of my previous BMWs came with as standard: Xenon headlights Rain sensing windsheild wipers No song/artist title on radio display Power lift gate Child locks on rear doors (believe that one!) Driver power seat memory Rear climate control