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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  Just got one - 2002 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By HITERP - July 31 - 2:00 am

  Looked at buying a used 00 or 01. GLAD we went with an 02. FAR nicer vehicle. Smoother, quieter, many nicer features (climate control, vents and controls for the rear seat passengers, etc...). The vehicle is very easy to drive. I would recommend it for someone who likes the additional room an SUV provides in the rear, but doesnt want to drive a huge vehicle.

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  Upgrade from 2000 ML320 - 2006 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By twinsnbenz - July 29 - 11:06 am

  I recently bought this car used, with 29500 miles. I traded in a 2000 ML320 with 78000 miles, which I loved and never had a problem with. This newer model is beautiful, solid, and fun to drive. I dont like all the changes to where things are located, however - the window buttons, cup holders, gas filler, and gear shift have all been moved. I also prefer more traditional knobs to all the pushbuttons.

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  GLK Transmission Problem - 2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class
  By carshopper73 - July 29 - 1:23 am

  I have a 2010 Mercedes GLK with 17,000 miles. I just had to get the transmission replaced. At first they told me it was the wheel bearings. Then the next day they called me and said it was not the wheel bearings but instead they needed to replace the transmission. I went online and saw other owners with the same problem! I was thinking about buying the car after my lease is up but I just changed my mind. Not sure what other problems are lurking.

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  Good truck - 2003 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By indeed - July 26 - 10:00 am

  The M-Class is now reaching five years old. As Edmunds.com has said, it was a great handling truck back then-- but now everything is car-based and the M is being left behind. As a truck, great. As a crossover, forget it.

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  Worst nighmare please read! - 2003 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By NEVERagainBenz - July 25 - 9:10 pm

  Bought the 03 Mercedes c230k sport sedan from dealership used with just over 50,000 miles. Had problems after two weeks and never quit. Engine dying, chugging, losing power 4 different times in less than a year, all suspension replaced, two rims bent, rough ride severe right pulling, sunroof broke, rear defroster didnt work, multiple check engine lights, transmission stuck or thumped occasionally, many sensors replaced. And theres still more! Had the car less than a year and went from 50-60k miles and dozens of problems and thousands and thousands in repairs. Will never get a Mercedes again! If you are thinking of getting this car please dont do it! I now have a Toyota and couldnt be happier.

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  Driving and tech showcase - 2002 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class
  By rccon - July 22 - 4:43 am

  Unbelievable combination of performance, build quality, and style. Unlike other German cars, this one really has flair and more just a grudging acknowledgment that style needs to be there as well. Coming out of Jaguars, this has been the only MB in quite a while that could actually be termed sensuous. Performance is truly iron fist in velvet glove - unassuming, but very big performance envelope when called upon.

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  Good MB but short on comfort - 2013 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By dankocke - July 21 - 3:01 am

  The good: recent 1600 mile trip to MSY over thanksgiving netted 27.5 mpg overall. 650 mile hwy trips with slight tail wind netted 28 - 30 mpg at 80mph. Here in STL around town and commuting to work I average 26 mpg. So not bad for all wheel drive. The infotainment system is great, even the cheaper one like I have with the cheap nav. Its all u will need. Now for the bad: dash rattles a bit over rough roads. The sport ride is too stiff (Im 35). The front seats are terrible... It was hell driving 10 hrs. I bought it because I wanted a MB but I probably should have gotten something else more comfortable. It is a great car but just not right for me. Ill keep 1 yr no more.

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  Reviews are all over the map! - 2002 Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class
  By E Versace - July 18 - 6:36 am

  I purchased this car used in 2006. It had about 41000 miles on it.It was a great car and the first owner really took care of it. I didnt purchase the extended warranty. The first year I drove it was great. Doesnt matter if youre young or old, people will turn their heads to see who is driving this car. I picked this car for the sleek yet muscular body style that the newer models do not have. My best friend went online after I got this car and purchased a certified MB CLK 430 as well, but he failed to realize that the heated seats and halogen headlights werent standard. The power of the 430 is amazing and often found myself flooring the gas pedal to feel the G force push lay me back.

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  Stay away - 2007 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By crap e63 - July 16 - 10:03 am

  Car now has 10,000 miles. Has been at the shop 5 times. 3 check engine lights. I get same brake problem that everyone else has a problem with. Engine knocks and was told this is my problem due to California does not sell 93 octane gas. Rough starting in the morning. I have contact the dealer manager he tells me dont bother until the car has 12,000 miles. Mercedes direct says you have to get these issues resolved with the dealer. Has spent a total of 28 days at the dealer. Buy a M5.

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  Steering wobble but great car - 2007 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
  By Pool - July 13 - 4:43 pm

  First week: Brakes squeal, wobble in steering wheel at 65 mph, mirrors wont adjust downward in reverse and Parktronic starts blaring in traffic. Dealer fixes brakes, Parktronic, replaces four tires, re-aligns. Second week: Steering still wobbles - dealer says balance is off - must have thrown a weight. Third week: Steering still wobbles. Dealer spends 4 days working on problem. Day due to be delivered, dealer says Mercedes issues service bulletin re: problem with bushings and control arms in front (this sounds like suspension which is what I have been telling them from day 1). Replaced control arms and bushings. Now passenger seat quits adjusting to turns, et. Drives perfect now.