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:

• 

  2000 Mercedes Benz - 2000 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By greggmitchell - June 24 - 2:00 am

  Levels of service by Mercedes Benz has been outstanding. Problems have been few but included seat heaters, drivers side window switch.

• 

  I love my car - 2003 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class
  By ken greenfield - June 20 - 9:24 am

  But, after 3 years and the extended warranty about to expire, Im thinking its time to sell it. With the bumper to bumper used car warranty I had many things fixed for the $50 deductible. But this car has a horrible reputation for reliability, so??? But I love my car, so I am really torn!

• 

  Fun to drive, when not in the shop - 2001 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
  By TimL - June 16 - 8:53 am

  I preordered the car in Dec. 2000. The car is wonderful to drive. Its comfortable, fast, and sporty enough to whip through the corners. Yes, the car could use some more power for my tastes, but it has plenty for normal use. The car gets good gas mileage considering engine size/weight. Main problem is quality. The car is being fixed every 2-3 months. Engine, transmission, electronics, brakes, AC, radio, CD changer, paint flaking off and lights. The dealer has been very receptive and everything has been fixed for free, but I am tired of the problems. My warranty is running out and I think I am going to sell it. If you are looking to buy a used MB avoid this model like the plague.

• 

  A best buy - 2003 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
  By The Young Looker - June 15 - 8:33 pm

  Definetely a real good deal when buying used ( low mileage ). Besides the cars still a real good looker, the 2003 430 can provide exceptional comfort, nothing a car of its age can. Performance is not significant, however is not underpowered. Those who desires performance might go with the 500 or the twin turbocharged 600. Watch for drivers side electronic seat, it might be disfunctional due to aging. Others, are exceptional

• 

  Love it! - 2000 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By Smithtenn - June 7 - 10:00 am

  This is our third ML. Have two now. Great for traveling. We feel much safer in this vehicle than any we have owned. Navigation system is excellent. Now have over 75000 miles on this one and 50000 miles on wifes 2001.

• 

  2007 E550 P02 + Toys - 2007 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By mechedjun - June 5 - 10:15 am

  The suspension is supple and the ride is very quiet. The drive isnt exactly fun but it is engaging with solid feel and feedback. The exterior is elegant and gets nothing but compliments. However, the interior lacks the same prestige feel and the electronics are prone to failure. The electronics that do not break, are hard to use and annoying by design (navigation for example). So far weve replaced or repaired steering knuckle, rear sunshade, panoramic sunroof, windscreen seal, and other interior (except for knuckle) parts. Do not buy this car without extended warranty if you plan to keep it past 50K. I personally expected a bit more reliability from MB.

• 

  Excellent Car - 2006 Mercedes-Benz R-Class
  By Hybro - June 2 - 7:30 pm

  This Is an amazing car and we just love our Mercedes Benz R500. You wont believe how comfy it is.

• 

  Multiple repairs on my E320 - 1999 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
  By Tim - May 31 - 4:20 am

  Ownership experience has cost thousands more than the purchase price. I would not buy this car or another Mercedes Benz if I could have a do over. AC has been replaced twice. Control modules have been replaced. Sun roof had a terrible leak with multiple repair attempts. The sun roof would open on its own. The windows would go down on their own. The car alarm would even go off in my enclosed garage.

• 

  Hey, its a Mercedes!!! - 2001 Mercedes-Benz M-Class
  By mrrx - May 30 - 2:00 am

  Ive had some issues. My power switch panel went out at 4000 miles, the car rattles a bit, and it drinks gas, like its going out of style. But, you know what, I still love the car and besides, its a Mercedes. Is it the best vehicle Ive owned, obviously not, but I know that if any of us had a choice of a vehicle to be in, in an accident, most of us would opt for this vehicle. We all take a chance when we buy a car, Ive had 2 lemons in my life time, including a 2000 Honda Accord and a 2001 Diamante. All Im trying to say is that, overall, the ML320 is not bad at all, especially when you consider the safety, luxury and confidence a Mercedes provides.

• 

  Lemon - 2006 Mercedes-Benz R-Class
  By Matt - May 28 - 5:03 am

  We leased the car in Feb. We have had nothing but problems. The lifters in the engine had to be replaced because the engine knocked.They didnt fix it and they wanted to replace the blocks. The transmission wouldnt shift right. They had to replace the fuel lines which took forever becuase they came from Germany. They finally are taking the car back. I dont think all Mercedes vehicles are bad but you get lemons in anything. We bought this one because our last Mercedes S400 was totalled in a flood after we owned it for a month. We must be destined not to own a Mercedes . Still liked the styling of the car, the comfort and versitility.