Finding the best Mercedes
For many, the word "Mercedes" conjures up images of class, luxury, quality, performance and sophistication. Today, Mercedes makes pretty much every conceivable body style of passenger car. Of the many styles (CLK, SLK, C, E, S, SL, G-Class, M (formerly ML), CLS, CL, GL, R-Class and SLR/McLaren vehicles), there is a right style for anyone. And for performance enthusiasts, there are always the AMG versions of the above vehicles (exceptions are the C-Class, G-Class and SLR).
The prices below assume standard equipment and exclude the mandatory $775 destination charge, which applies to all Mercedes models with the exception of the SLR, which carries a mandatory $2,750 destination charge. As always, options and option packages are extra and are not included with the suggested prices shown below. The prices and engine models available are not valid outside the USA.
First, here are the traditional body styles, which existed before the Daimler-Chrysler merger:
The CLK-Class: Introduced in 1996 as the two-door coupe version of the C-Class, the 2008 W209 CLK-Class comes with three engines, the V-6 CLK350 with 268 horsepower and 258 ft-lbs, the V-8 CLK550, which has 382 horsepower and 391 ft-lbs, and the CLK63 AMG, packing 475 horsepower and in both the coupe and the convertible, or Cabriolet. The CLK costs $46,200 for the CLK350 Coupe, $54,200 for the CLK350 Cabriolet, $54,900 for the CLK550 Coupe, $62,900 for the CLK550 Cabriolet, and finally $89,200 for the hot-rod CLK63 AMG Cabriolet. Whichever model you choose, you will have ample power for passing and cruising.
The SLK class roadster, which stands for Sporty, Light, and Compact (German: Sportlich, Leicht, Kompact) is a substantially smaller and less expensive version of the SL-Class luxury roadster. Introduced in 1997, the SLK is only available as a convertible, but you can choose from three variants, depending on engine size, the SLK280, the SLK350, and the SLK55 AMG. The SLK280 is the least expensive of the three, with a 3.0-liter V-6 engine developing 228 horsepower and 221 ft-lbs of torque, at a starting price of $43,350. Next is the SLK350, with a 3.5-liter V6 developing 268 horsepower and 258 ft-lbs of torque, starting at $47,400. That is followed by the high-performance SLK55 AMG with a 5.4-liter V8 engine cranking out 355 horsepower and 376 ft-lbs of torque, which will set you back $62,500.
The C-Class: The entry-level Mercedes in the USA comes in the following variants: the C300 Sport, the C300 Luxury, and the C350 Sport. You can get the C300 Sport either with a manual transmission or an optional automatic transmission, and the C300 Luxury and C350 Sport are only available with an automatic. It's the third-smallest of the traditional models, the smallest being the SLK-Class. The C300 sedans have 228 horsepower and 221 ft-lbs of torque and start at $31,200 for the Sport sedan and $32,900 for the Luxury sedan. The more powerful C350, with its 3.5 liter V6, generates 268 horsepower, 258 ft-lbs of torque, and starts at $36,500.
The E-Class: The "E" may stand for excellence and may be considered the quintessential Mercedes, but it if often used as a taxicab or a police interceptor vehicle in Europe. Also known as the mid-size Mercedes, as it is neither too big nor too small. In the USA, the E-Class comes in 4 engine sizes, the E320 Bluetec diesel sedan, the E350 (either as a sedan or 4MATIC wagon), the E550, and the E63 AMG (sedan or wagon). They are powered by engines generating 210, 268, 382, and 507 horsepower, and 400, 258, 391, and 465 ft-lbs of torque respectively. Furthermore, they are priced at $51,900 for the E320, $50,990 for the E350 sedan, $55,700 for the E350 4MATIC Wagon, $59,400 for the E550, $85,000 for the E63 AMG sedan, and $85,800 for the E63 AMG wagon. The E-Class vehicles have many of the features which are standard on the S-Class, but without the very high S-Class price.
The S-Class: A byword for luxury and elegance, the huge S-Class is completely different in appearance from its predecessor, the W220 S-Class. Although it has every luxury you can think of inside, the exterior looks terrible. Unlike other Mercedes models, one would have a difficult time recognizing the S-Class as a Mercedes, due to its unconventional appearance. In the USA, it comes in 4 engine sizes, the S550, the S600, the S63 AMG, and the S65 AMG, generating 382, 510, 518, and 604 horsepower and 391, 612, 465, and 738 ft-lbs of torque respectively. Their suggested retail prices are $86,700, $144,200, $127,000, and $181,800 respectively. The combination of luxury interior and high performance engines makes the S-Class half luxury limousine and half racing car, with the exception being the AMG variants, which are more oriented towards performance than luxury.
The SL-Class: The smallest of the traditional Mercedes models, this expensive roadster traces its roots back to the days of the 300SL Gullwing produced in 1954. The first SL two-seat roadsters were produced for street use in 1957. These convertibles are priced at $94,800 for the 382 horsepower and 391 ft-lb SL550, $128,800 for the 510 horsepower and 531 ft-lb SL55 AMG, $132,000 for the 510 horsepower and 612 ft-lb SL600, and $186,000 for the 604 horsepower and 738 ft-lb SL65 AMG roadster. Regardless of whatever's under the hood of that SL-Class, it's still a luxury high-performance grand tourer.
The G-Class: The "G" stands for "Gelndewagen," German for cross-country vehicle, which is produced in Graz, Austria since 1979, having been developed in conjunction with the Austrian company Steyr-Daimler-Puch. This off-road vehicle, like a German Jeep, is made to perform on rough terrain and steep grades. Expect to pay $86,200 for the G500, with 292hp and 336 ft-lbs and $109,900 for the supercharged G55 AMG, which has 493 hp and 516 ft-lbs under the hood.
Here are the more recently introduced body styles, introduced starting in 1998:
The M-Class: Introduced as the ML-Class in 1998 and built at Mercedes' state-of-the-art factory in Alabama, the SUV was initially powered by a 3.2-liter V6 generating 215 horsepower and 229 ft-lbs of torque. Since then, the ML class has undergone numerous changes in body style and engine availability. The first V-8 model appeared the following year as the ML430, with 268 horsepower and 288 ft-lbs of torque, followed by the ML55 AMG in 2000 with 342 horsepower and 376 ft-lbs of torque. In 2002, the ML430 was replaced by the ML500 with a 5.0-liter V8 which generated 288 horsepower and 325 ft-lbs of torque. The ML320 was replaced by the ML350 in 2004, with its engine cranking out 232 horsepower and 254 ft-lbs of torque. The year 2007 marked the return of the AMG ML's, as well as the debut of the diesel-powered ML320 CDI, generating 215 horsepower and 398 ft-lbs of torque. The current ML's are available as the ML350 with 268 horsepower and 258 ft-lbs of torque for $43,650, the ML320 CDI for $44,540, the ML550, which generates 382 horsepower and 391 ft-lbs, for $52,400, and the high-performance ML63 AMG, with 503 horsepower and 465 ft-lbs, for $86,650.
The CL-Class, introduced in 1998 in its own right, traces its roots to the grand touring coupe version of the Mercedes S-Class. Prior to 1998, these cars carried the SEC-Class badge, and later the S-Class badge. When the CL-Class model was inaugurated, it came in with a markedly different appearance than the preceding S-Class coupe. The current CL-Class comes in three versions, the CL550, costing $103,100, the CL63 AMG, costing $137,000, and the CL600, costing $146,900.
Next is the CLS-Class, introduced in 2006 as a four-door coupe with some resemblance to the E-Class, as it is the coupe equivalent of the E-Class. Yes, it's a four-door coupe, which is very unusual. It comes in two engine sizes, costing $67,600 for the 382-horsepower, 391 ft-lb CLS550 and $93,200 for the CLS63 AMG, which packs 507 horsepower and 465 ft-lbs of torque.
The GL-Class: Initially produced in 2007, it is the first large 7-seater SUV, and it is manufactured in the Mercedes factory in Alabama, with the ML, now called the M-Class. The current GL-Class comes with three engines, the GL320 CDI, with 215 horsepower and 398 ft-lbs and costing $53,000, the GL450, with 335 horsepower and 339 ft-lbs and costing $55,500, and the GL550, with 382 horsepower and 391 ft-lbs and costing $76,795. The GL and G-Class vehicles, although having similar name badges, look completely different from each other, as the G is made for serious off-road driving.
The R-Class: Initially produced in 2006 and manufactured along with the ML and GL-Class vehicles in Alabama, this combination of SUV and MPV, or Multi-Purpose Vehicle most closely resembles a minivan than an off-road vehicle. The current R-Class is available with 4 engines, the R320 CDI, costing $44,000, the E350, costing $43,000, the R500, costing $50,500, and the R63 AMG, costing $87,400. Except for the CDI Diesel version the R-Class vehicles use lots of premium gasoline, and rather quickly. Expect to pay a lot to fill it up.
Finally, there is the SLR McLaren, produced since 2003 in England, with the SLR standing for Sport, Light, and Racing (German: Rennsport). This super-car is powered by a supercharged 5.4-liter V-8 cranking out 617 horsepower and 575 ft-lbs of torque. The suggested retail price of this vehicle is $450,000, excluding the $2,750 destination charge. Obviously, it's very expensive, but you get what you pay for, and the SLR is no exception, as it's a race car built for the street, with all the comforts and features of a luxury street car.
There is a new Mercedes to fit virtually any budget, from the entry-level C-Class to the supercharged SLR super-car.
