Mercedes E63 AMG review

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Mercedes-Benz E-Class E63 AMG First Drive

Test date 09 November 2009 Price as tested £73,415

: The familiar 518bhp 6.2-litre V8 is as brilliant as ever

What is it?

This is our first go in a Mercedes E63 AMG on UK roads, and the good news is that it is still a more relaxed, subtle prospect than its rivals.

Start from the outside. If it didn’t say ‘AMG’ on the wings and boot, most would miss the fact that there was a 518bhp 6.2-litre V8 lurking under its skin. Even complete with the skirts and flared wings, there is none of the attention-seeking nature of the XFR or M5.

A seven-speed MCT transmission, now with a wet-clutch rather than torque converter and variable suspension (air springs at the rear and steel at the front) make for plenty of adjustability.

What’s it like?

Turn the key and the rather unsubtle V8 emits a bass rumble that encourages all kinds of very un-executive behaviour. Engine noise is a constant background noise, but you don’t buy an E63 if you don’t enjoy that and it isn’t really obtrusive unless you want it to be.

Otherwise cabin noise remains hushed until you get to motorway speeds, when tyre noise from the 19-inch 285/55 (at the rear) tyres becomes intrusive. This is one of the biggest flaws in the E63’s package after its inflated price.

Still, this is an easy car to live with, not least thanks to the firm, but controlled ride. Comfort mode – the softest of the three suspension settings - lives up to its name.

On British roads the ride is slightly unsettled over repeated small undulations in the road surface, but it’s never uncomfortable and the compromise is one that you accept in a car of this nature.

Select either of the two firmer settings and you will be aware of the car’s suspension working to smother the road’s imperfections. Less body composure is also a factor, but only in the firmest setting on a typical B-road does it become at all disconcerting.

Most importantly the E63 has kept its characteristic dual nature as both cruiser and back-road weapon. It does lack some precision on turn-in, and the light steering encourages smooth, rapid progress rather than really focused driving but it’s an entertaining drive.

Excellent chassis balance and a quick, flexible gearbox makes the E63 much more than simply a muscle car, and yet there is also the appealing lairy edge residing at the other end of the throttle travel.

Should I buy one?

In isolation the E63 is an incredibly compelling and polished car that beats the M5 for usability and the XFR for interior space and quality. But none of these finer elements make justify the extra £10k the Merc will cost over the Jaguar.

Even so, the E63 is just a reasonable list price away from being completely brilliant.