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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  2007 Some good- some bad - 2007 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
  By Repeat Buyer - May 13 - 7:40 am

  I previously owned a 2005 SL500. The car is indeed more powerful reflecting the increase in horsepower. I actually do not like some of the minor interior changes. For instance, I do not like the change in the hard-top controller handle-switch. The previous switch had a red light incorporated in it to indicate when the up or down function was complete. The current switch no longer has this light indicator, and now you must turn your head around to look. I cannot figure out if the current model has voice control or not, while the 05 model voice control was standard. I do like the bluetooth module allowing use of your personal phone.

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  Very solid vehicle - 1995 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By johnhon - May 5 - 4:26 am

  I bought this car with 117,000 mi and it now has 150,000 mi. This is my first MB after Volvos, Saabs, Fords. These cars are engineered very well but that means that everything that can go wrong or wear out has a sensor attached to it, and it can be frustrating troubleshooting problems. Im a DIYer and if you are looking for a used trouble free car do not buy a MB. This is a very solid car and excellent in the snow and gas mileage is very good. It also rides beautifully. Do not buy an E class after 1995, they went downhill after that year. If you do buy used try to get an independent mechanic because the stealerships are a real hassle. They think if you drive a MB you are rich.

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  "Mid-life" Treat - 1999 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By PHB - May 2 - 10:00 am

  Now I know! My wife and I cant believe how much we enjoy "her" C280. For 30 years weve had 4X4 SUVs, compacts, vans and all the rest, but nothing can compare with this car. I didnt think anyone made a car like this anymore. Im so pleased with the road handling, the attention to detail, and the V6 that just gets up and goes. My wife is thrilled with the comfort and the classic styling, it fits her like a glove. We couldnt have ask for a nicer car. In my mind, even if Im a little biased, this car will go down as a classic MB sedan in years to come.

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  CL500 - 2004 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class
  By ernesto - April 30 - 9:53 am

  First of all the car is nice inside out. Mechanically i expect better from German manufacturers. Why cant they build a car with German quality and Japan reliability? Anything goes wrong with this car minimum $500 to fix.

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  fun time - 2002 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By dubop - April 25 - 2:00 am

  The 230 has been a fun car, good power to overpass others or, to win merging wars at on ramps. radio (non bose) is fair, installing after-market radio can be a bear! tinting of windows should be done by a REAL pro if not, you will make a trip back to the dealer to replace both the am/fm powered ant and the alarm ant.! "b" piller is poor hard to see others on both sides! back seat is good for small kids front seats are not great if your a larger person. sunroof is big and fun.

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  ML320 Good but not Reliable - 2000 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By R Cummings - April 23 - 12:53 pm

  Great car mechanically but electrically unreliable like all Mercedes models since 2000. Poor reliability related to electrical/sensor problems (Robert Bosch?). By 75000 miles repaired: door locks sensors, crankshaft position sensor(engine stops unexpectedly), mass airflow sensor, front window switches (twice),brake pressure sensor, brake switch, rear seat locked down

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  Underrated Great Family Crossover - 2008 Mercedes-Benz R-Class
  By yetialan - April 21 - 10:46 am

  Pro’s: I had an BMW X3 and drove the X5 along with the MDX the MB had the smoothest ride, best safety features (BMW doesn’t have third row curtin airbags), 3 rows of seating and the greatest comfort in the third row. Pricing was excellent got almost 16K off a brand new 08 and low 66 month 2.9% financing. Everything top of the line quality, metal feels thick strong and confident on the road. MB originally wanted to sell these in 06 for 60-80K. This was built to be a great cruiser like the s class. Feels like the s class and the panoramic roof is incredible. Cons: Navi not easy to use

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  What are they thinking? - 2006 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class
  By Mark L. - April 20 - 5:50 am

  This car has no drink holders for soda cans or coffee cups at all. The seatbelts come forward for you to use them only if you start the car with the doors open. The roll bar in my convertible pops up whenever I go over a rumble strip in the road. The car looks great, but would I buy it again? Never. I will go back to the Mercedes sedans. Poor design of interior features and just no thought into what americans deem nice in their cars.

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  Bonnies CLK - 2002 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class
  By BONNIE - April 19 - 9:26 pm

  Car seems to have tire or rim issues. Tires do not hold air on AMG type low profile rims.Top button and window buttons have issues. Ride is rough on long trips. Very hot with black top, seats, and exterior.

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  Disappointed in Chicago - 2001 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By Disappointed Chicago - April 19 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car after driving a Volvo for 5years - the 850Glt. Went for the safety (eight airbags) and class of driving a MB product. I thought I was taking a step up...I was very mistaken. First the seat comfort does not nearly compare to the Volvo. Second the interior room - particularly the backseats - is terrible. Engine performance for price is lackluster. The Volvo850 GLT w/ turbo was the same price (year-on- year) and lacked about 30hbp. One did not feel confident accelerating onto expressways - particulalrly the Eisonhower and Edens in Chicago...The C240 is not worth it - PERIOD.