I’m a huge fan of estate cars (station wagons if you’re reading in the USA). I love the idea of a machine that handles like a car but has all the space to carry everything I need to go from point A to point B, with a few side trips in between to add more luggage.
And I’m a bigger fan of sports cars that go like a bat out of hell when you get the chance, but can be just as happy pottering sedately along when the occasion arises. You can therefore understand that my ultimate driving machine would be a cross between both these ideas – something like an Audi RS6 estate, or like what I spotted driving along today, the Mercedes E63S estate. Not only does it look good (to me anyway, I appreciate that looks are a personal preference), it sounds amazing and goes like a scalded cat. I drove an ancestor of this, the E55 saloon, when I was buying the Audi S8, and I always regret not buying the E55 instead of the S8. Definitely one of the ones that got away.
Highlights
This version of the E Class estate was announced in 2017 and the hot versions are available in E63 guise and E63S guise, with the S boosting the numbers from a paltry 563bhp in the E63 to a frankly ludicrous 603 bhp. The same 4.0 twin turbo V8 engine that powers this load lugger is also available in the Mercedes AMG GT, Mercedes C63, Aston Martin DB11 and the upcoming Aston Martin Vantage replacement. So, an engine with a good pedigree then. The E63S is also in use on the F1 circuits as the official medical car too … that really tells you all you need to know.
The Extras that put the ‘S’ in E63S
Apart from the extra bhp I mentioned above, the ‘S’ variant has a few other additions over the more sedate version. We get larger 20″ wheels instead of 19″, active engine mounts, an electronic differential instead of the standard mechanical diff in the base E63, bigger front brakes (390mm instead of 360mm) and an extra drive mode called Race mode. However, the most obvious extra we get are AMG performance seats, which basically are better bolstered and adjust in many different directions. Apparently, though, if you’re a large build, fitting in these might be an issue …
It’s a pity that the ceramic brake discs, at 402mm in size, are optional. With the sort of performance available here, brake fade might become an issue. However, I would expect the handling to be absolutely amazing with the adaptive dampers and air suspension fitted to the higher powered version.
Mercedes E63S Estate – Vital Statistics
| Power | 450 kW (603 bhp) @ 5750rpm | |
| Torque | 850 Nm (627 lb/ft) @ 2500rpm | |
| 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) | 3.3 seconds | |
| Maximum speed | 300 km/h (186 mph) electronically limited | |
| Fuel consumption (average) | 11.9 l/100km (23.7 mpg) | |
| Fuel type, tank capacity | Petrol, 66 litres | |
| Weight | 2070 kg | |
| **** | **** | |
| Engine | M177 (Handcrafted engine), Two twin scroll BorgWarner turbos positioned between the cylinder heads (known as a Hot-V configuration), DOHC, Wet sump, Cylinder deactivation, Bosch piezo-electric direct fuel injection | |
| Displacement | 3982 cc | |
| Cylinders and valves | V8, 32v | |
| Transmission | AMG Speedshift 9 speed automatic (MCT9), Tiptronic, dual clutch system | |
| Drivetrain | 4MATIC All wheel drive |
Mercedes E63S recalls
| The fixing screws for the turbocharger oil return line and the crankcase breather pipe may have been interchanged. Due to a screw being too long, the pre-tensioning force of the screw connection may be insufficient and oil could leak from the turbocharger oil return line. As a result, oil could come into contact with hot components, increasing the risk of fire. The Mercedes-Benz E-Class models with four-cylinder petrol engines affected by this recall were manufactured between 5 December 2018 and 10 January 2019. Mercedes-Benz recall code: 0993021 Source: A12/1130/19 |
| The rear spoiler might not have been attached in accordance with requirements. As a result, the rear spoiler could become completely detached from the vehicle at high speeds, posing a risk to the following traffic. The Mercedes-Benz E-Class T-models affected by this recall were manufactured between 29 September 2016 and 23 May 2019. Mercedes Recall code: 7792001 Source: A12/1753/19 |
| Certain screw connections attaching the wiring harness to the fuse box may not have been fitted correctly. As a result, there could be excessive contact resistance at these connection points, increasing the risk of fire. The Mercedes-Benz E-Class coupé/cabriolet vehicles with 48V onboard electrical systems affected by this recall were manufactured between 15 March and 28 May 2018. Mercedes-Benz recall code: 5491802 Source: A12/1035/19 |
| The rear door spoiler may not be secured enough due to an incorrect adhesive bond. As a result, the spoiler may become detached in motion, posing a risk to following traffic. The Mercedes-Benz E-Class models affected by this recall were produced between 6 June 2018 and 2 July 2018. Mercedes-Benz recall code: 8892103 Source: A12/0728/19 |
| The sensors in some seatbelt locks may not have been adequately manufactured. Consequently, they might not detect a correctly fastened seatbelt and thus not activate the pre-tensioner systems (electric and pyrotechnic). In the event of an accident, these might not work leading to a limited restraint capacity and increasing the risk of injury to the occupants. The Mercedes-Benz E-Class models affected by this recall were produced between June 2018 and August 2018. Company recall code: 9190301 and 9190302 Source: A12/0268/19 |
| A defective sensor installed within the electrical power steering system may lead to deactivation of the power steering assistance. As a consequence, there is an increased risk of accidents. The Mercedes-Benz E-Class models affected by this recall were produced between 9. 7. 2018 – 13. 8. 2018. Company recall code: 4693002 Source: A12/0220/19 |
| The bolts of the rear spoiler may have been insufficiently tightened. At higher speeds, the rear spoiler could consequently detach from the vehicle. This could cause a risk of injury for other road users. Mercedes-Benz E-Class Estate built between 1. 10. 2018 – 12. 11. 2018 are affected by this recall. Mercedes-Benz recall code: 8892101 Source: A12/0146/18 |
| The steering wheel may not be correctly connected with the steering gearbox. This could lead to loss of steering of the vehicle increasing the risk of accident. Mercedes-Benz E-Class built between 14. 5. 2018 – 25. 5. 2018 are affected by this recall. Company recall code: 4692101 Source: A12/0135/18 |
| The software of the communication module for the emergency call system (eCall) is faulty. As a result, it may be impossible to establish a speech connection with the Mercedes-Benz emergency call centre or to transmit vehicle data. Mercedes-Benz CLA, GLA, SLC, A-Class, AMG GT, C-Class, E-Class, S-Class, SL, B-Class, GLC, CLS and G-Class built between 2016 and 2018 are affected by this recall. Company recall code: 5499637 Source: A12/0065/18 |
| The operation of the active bonnet may be faulty because of a wrong positioning of the sensor hose in the front bumper. In the event of a collision with a pedestrian, the pedestrian would not be detected and the active bonnet would not be triggered. This could increase the potential risk of injury for the pedestrian. The vehicles concerned were manufactured between 11. 10. 2016 – 11. 1. 2018. Company recall code: 8891135 Source: A12/1608/18 |
| The calibration of the occupant classification system for the passenger seat does not work correctly. If a child seat is installed on the passenger seat, the airbag might not be deactivated and be deployed in the event of an accident. The recall affects vehicles manufactured between April 2017 and June 2018. Recall code: 9192046 Source: A12/1447/18 |
| The lower engine compartment cover lacks the necessary left-hand gap for the exhaust system. As a result, the exhaust system temperatures resulting from operation at full load could lead to the cover catching fire. The recall affects vehicles manufactured during March 2018. Source: A12/1382/18 |
| The navigation software may be faulty, storing the wrong location of the vehicle. As a result, when the emergency call system (eCall) is used, the location communicated to the emergency centre might not correspond to the actual vehicle location. In such cases, emergency services could not be directed to the vehicle. The recall affects vehicles manufactured between February 2017 and January 2018. Source: A12/1193/18 |
| The seat-backs may not be fully secured on the right-hand side of the front seats. In the event of an accident, any unsecured objects on the rear seats of the vehicle may not be restrained, thereby increasing the risk of injury to passengers in the front seats. The recall affects vehicles produced between April 2017 and August 2017. Source: A12/0957/18 |
| The casing material of the gas generator of the driver airbag may be defective. In the event that the airbag is deployed, the airbag may not protect the driver and detached parts might enter the passenger compartment causing injury to the vehicle occupants. The recall affects vehicles produced between 17. 1. 2018 – 14. 3. 2018. Source: A12/0852/18 |
| The welding of the backrests of the driver’s and front passenger’s seats may be defective. In the event of an accident, the welding could break, increasing the risk of injury to the occupant of the seat in question.The recall affects vehicles produced between 19. 8. 2017 – 14. 2. 2018. Source: A12/0775/18 |
| The seals on the front doors around the window may allow water to enter the inner door area causing damage to the door control unit. As a result, the pinch protection on the electric window regulators could be impaired or there could be a short circuit leading to a fire. The recall affects vehicles produced between April 2017 and October 2017. Source: A12/0754/18 |
| The mixing ratio of the propellant for the seat-belt pre-tensioner igniters may be incorrect. In an accident in which the rear seat-belt pre-tensioners were activated, the igniters might not ignite as intended and the pre-tensioners would not provide the restraint performance required. The recall concerns vehicles produced between August 2016 and May 2017. Source: A12/1259/17 |
| The mixture ratio of the fuel in the inflators of the front-passenger knee, pelvic and side curtain airbags may not be correct. In the event of an accident requiring the deployment of the airbags, this could lead to the airbags not inflating properly. The recall concerns vehicles manufactured between 8. 8. 2016 – 6. 3. 2017. Source: A12/0763/17 |
| The propellant mixing ratio in certain seat-belt pre-tensioner igniters may be incorrect. As a result, in the event of an accident where the front seat-belt pre-tensioners are activated, the pre-tensioners would not provide the restraint performance required if the igniter did not ignite as intended. This could put the occupants at a greater risk of injury. The recall concerns vehicles manufactured between July 2016 and March 2017. Source: A12/0626/17 |
| The left catalytic converter may be too close to the rear engine compartment panel. Under certain operating conditions, this could lead to the engine compartment panel catching fire. The recall affects vehicles produced between June 2016 and September 2016. Source: A12/1667/16 |