Dieter Zetsche, the CEO of Mercedes-Benz owner Daimler AG, is offering Benz buyers in Germany some of the best deals in years in connection with the World Cup.

Zetsche is slashing prices on German Mercedes, such as $2,493 off the sleek SLK Roadster, according to BusinessWeek. In addition, those who lease get a special bonus if Germany takes home the cup – a near $400 rebate. Germany’s current odds are 14-1.

The World Cup tie-in sales are part of Zetsche’s initiative to revitalize the brand. In Germany, Mercedes are perceived as a car for older consumers. Zetsche’s strategy involves associating the brand with soccer and F1 stars, both huge spectator sports in Europe, to give it a more youthful image.

Those looking for a Mercedes-Benz in America might be disappointed to learn that the savings won’t be passed on to American consumers. Mercedes can be especially pricy cars if bought new.

However, that doesn’t mean potential car buyers can’t be driving off the lot in Mercedes without breaking the bank. If they shop for used Mercedes rather than new, drivers can get a great car at an affordable rate.

Mercedes-Benz recently unveiled the all-new 2011 E-Class convertible, which might help generate more interest in used Mercedes models in New Jersey.

The German automaker’s new vehicle is the talk of the industry due to its unique drop-top technology designed to keep passengers safe from swirling winds, according to U.S. News and World Report.

The 2011 E-Class convertible comes standard with the Aircap system, which is a tiny spoiler that sits on the windshield’s frame so that wind is deflected over the cabin.

Autoblog.com said that the system “limits the amount of wind intrusion into the passenger compartment up to speeds of 100 mph, keeping your perfectly coifed hair in check and making conversations easier when storming the autobahn.”

The only drawback of the Aircap technology is that it raises the convertibles drag, which might affect fuel economy.

Meanwhile, the 2003 E-Class Mercedes-Benz models are some of the more powerful luxury sedans in their class.

The E-320 has a 224-horsepower 3.2-liter V6 engine and goes from 0 to 60 mph in 7.5 seconds. Contrastingly, the E500 has a 5.0-liter V8 engine and can go from 0 to 60 in less than 6 seconds.

That kind of power should generate more attention for used Mercedes-Benz models in New Jersey.

Mercedes-Benz (MB) and Apple have come together to develop an iPhone application that could make finding used C230s in New York easier.

MB recently announced mbrace, a new system that connects drivers to their Mercs using their iPhones, according the New York Times. The system will include all sorts of features, like an application that will allow owners to unlock their cars using their mobiles.

Another application included in the system will help MB enthusiasts find their local dealerships, reports the new source. C230 lovers, for example, can receive directions to the closest MB locations on their iPhones and go check out the sales floor or have their vehicle serviced.

The 2005 C230 Kompressor features a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine equipped with a supercharger compressor, according to Automotive.com. This Merc’s motor gets about 23 miles per gallon (MPG) in the city, 32 MPG on the highway and produces nearly 190 horsepower.

The mbrace system could both improve the driving experience for existing MB owners and help interested parties find used C230s in New York and elsewhere.

Used Mercedes in New York might start attracting more attention after former model Cindy Crawford and her husband Rande Gerber were recently photographed getting out of their S-Class.

Crawford, her husband and their two children were spotted exiting their Benz just a few days ago, according to CelebrityCarsBlog.com. The family rides in an S-Class, a model that dates back all the way to the 1950s.

Because cars made by Mercedes-Benz (MB) retain their value, a pre-owned Merc is still relatively expensive. A base model 2007 S-Class will generally sell for about $53,000, according to Edmunds.com.

Although the $50,000 price range might seem high for a car that’s two-years-old, the S-Class offers some attractive features. This MB’s 5.5-liter V8 produces over 380 horsepower. But perhaps a more impressive piece of equipment is this car’s Brake Assist Plus system that senses impending collisions and will automatically increase stopping power when needed.

Mercedes-Benz vehicles are some of the most beautiful examples of German engineering and with Cindy Crawford at the wheel they only look better. Used S-Classes in New York might enjoy a boost in sales thanks to Crawford’s family outing.

Interest in used CLKs in New York could grow thanks to an auto auction that recently took place in London.

The third annual Automobiles of London was on October 28 and its top sale was a 2006 Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR Roadster, which went for £616,000 (about $1,013,000), according to RMAuctions.com. The CLK could enjoy some positive exposure as a result of the event.

The CLK has been around for almost 13 years now, and since its release in 1996, this Benz has only been redesigned once. The second version was first manufactured in 2003 and came in both a coupe and cabriolet body type, according to Automotive.com.

The midrange model CLK is powered by a massive 5-liter V8 that produces over 300 horsepower, says the auto website. A smaller V6 is also available, as is 5.4-liter 8-cylinder if you get the top-of-the-line CLK AMG cabriolet, which cost $87,000 brand new.

Buyers who feel an automatic transmission spoils the driving experience might be disappointed to hear the CLK only came with a manual gearbox in Europe, but if it’s any consolation, a touch shift system can be found in certain models. These basically work like a manual transmission, but there is no clutch pedal.

Thanks to the London auction, German car enthusiasts might start looking for used CLKs in New York instead of other models. This Benz could be great for anyone who likes the roar of a V8 and the convenience of an automatic.