Mercedes-AMG E63 review – BMW M5 rival is better than ever - MPG and running costs

If you look at the E63 as a practical five-seat saloon or vast estate car, then it is not a cheap car to run. Think of it as a rapid, viciously accelerating missile of a car, which it is, then it’s amazingly cost effective.

Officially, the big AMG, in both regular and S forms, can achieve 31mpg on a combined cycle. The estate versions, which are 105kg heavier, aren’t quite as economical, and they achieve 30.1mpg. Those figures might not be spectacularly economical, but they’re not dissimilar to that of a brand new diesel-powered 187bhp Mitsubishi Shogun, car that absolutely couldn’t make use of a Drift Mode even it had one.

> Read the full test between the Mercedes-AMG E63 S and Porsche Panamera Turbo

While on the subject of Drift Mode, if you’re going to partake in the sort of sideways shenanigans it encourages, you’re going to wear out the rear tyres rather quickly. A pair of 20-inch 295 section 30 profile Michelin Pilot 4 S tyres for the back wheels will set you back around £540. The 265/35 20 fronts are cheaper, around £488 a pair, but it’s unlikely you’ll need those quite as frequently.