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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  Nice - 2006 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By Don - December 1 - 10:03 pm

  I cant say enough good things about the car. It gets very good gas mileage (31 MPG on highway with 6 speed manual trans), its comfortable, looks good and handles well. People come up often and say "what a great looking car youve got." Ive added the iPod interface which is VERY nice (MB was the first auto mfg to integrate this feature). Your iPod sits in the glove box and you control it from the steering wheel. I also purchased Winter tires that make winter driving much easier to deal with.

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  Its no BMW, but excellent car - 2007 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Ed - November 30 - 10:23 am

  Coming from an 06 330i. This car is feels like its built like a tank. It has such a heavy feeling my wife feels really secure with. I think it feels too heavy, and a bit too soft, but not like a Lexus at least. You can feel the road below you, just with a filter whereas the BMW lets you feel everything. The engine is quite good, lots of torque in low RPMs. Fuel economy is not as good as a BMW, but respectable. Dealer installed Continental ContiSport3 tires. Wish they used something else -- they are really loud. And the navigation really is terrible -- only can direct you to a number range on any given street. Welcome to the 21st century, Mercedes!!

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  Highly Disappointed - 2002 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By Claudia Valle - November 30 - 2:16 am

  I would not recommend this vehicle to anyone looking for a reliable automobile. This car has lost more interior pieces than I have been able to keep up with. The electrical components of this car leaves a lot to be desired. I had to replace the alternator at 52,000 miles - the first time in my lifetime as a car owner that I have had to change an alternator this soon. This vehicle has really tarnished my image of the Mercedes Benz brand. When you pay this much for a small sedan, you expect reliability, quality, and decent peace of mind. Wish I would have opted for the Lexus instead.

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  Powerhouse on wheels - 2007 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
  By Jacob - November 29 - 12:33 am

  I have owned 3 different models of the S class since the 1999 one, and this one by far tops all of them. This reminds me of the 1999 tank S class, except nimbler and more sophisticated, with all its electronics. The power delivery is excellent for a car its size and the interior is pure bliss. The new S class is once again the ultimate luxury sedan.

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  best SUV - 2000 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By dlinc - November 28 - 10:00 am

  THIS SUV IS 4 WHEEL DRIVE AND RIDES LIKE A LUXURY CAR. EXCELLENT SERVICE. WHEN YOU BUY IT WITH MAINTENANCE YOU ONLY PUT GAS IN IT. DEALER DOES ALL THE REST FOR FREE. WHEN THIS STARTS LESS THAN $40K, BEST VALUE IN TOWN. OURS HAS HAD NO PROBLEMS. DRIVING IT FOR THE 3RD YEAR NOW. PURCHASED NEW.

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  ML500 - 2004 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By Vinny Chan - November 28 - 10:00 am

  love this car, like it better if it is cheaper, more affordable to use. Eats a lot of gas.

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  many bugs - 2001 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By albik - November 28 - 10:00 am

  many problems, with the car and the dealer All sort of light burning; eletronic steering wheel adjustment breaking; suspension completely replaced, airbag problem light going on. Changed the remote key opener at least three times, and to cap it all off, the brakes had to be changed after 14,000. In total this car spent 1 month in the shop. Part of the problem lies with the dealer. Over a month to get an appointment and 1 week to get the car back.

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  ML 350 - 2003 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By User123 - November 28 - 10:00 am

  This is a very well crafted vehicle with many added safety features that many other SUVs do not enjoy. A more powerful engine than its predecessor ML320. I do have to say that it is time for a new body style. I have owned my 2003 ML350 for 3 months now so not much else to comment. Everything is great.

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  Love the 2003 ML 350 - 2003 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By Cldntsleep - November 28 - 10:00 am

  Its a luxury SUV and very classy and easy to drive/maneuver. There are no blind spots, you have the option of obtaining a 3rd row, sports package, running boards, Bose sound system, tinted windows, and much more.

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  Disappointed - 2003 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By AnneT - November 28 - 10:00 am

  Love the look and drive of my E320 sports package. First MB however very disappointed with the quality of car. Had to bring car in shop after 1st week because radio/cd went dead. Took 3 hrs to fix. Waited whole time! Glove compartment rattles, had problems with A/C turning on about 5+ times, seatbelt in drivers side lockes up sometimes when push seat memory button to re- adjust seat. Alignment already bad with only 4300 miles. Not looking forward to bringing it in the shop to get all this fixed. Bought MB verses BMW b/c heard BMW had problems. What a disappointment. Had Honda Accord before this car and had noooo problems!