Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG running costs are, in a word, huge. High fuel consumption – especially if the car’s performance is used to the full – and the expensive consumables such as tyres mean this car will be expensive to run. Servicing at franchised dealerships will not be cheap nor will road tax or insurance costs (it’s an insurance group 46E out of 50).

Not the car to demonstrate your green credentials. However, compared to the previous version of this performance car, Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG emissions have dropped significantly from 341g/km to 295g/km. Following the facelift in 2013 this dropped further to 230g/km, with AMG S models emitting 242g/km in saloon format or 246g/km in estate guise.

Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG reliability should pose to many problems. The new generation of E-Class has a better reputation for build quality than the previous one. That should translate well into strong reliability as long as the car is serviced on time. AMG engines have a reputation for durability and the previous electrical gremlins that afflicted the earlier AMG E-Class version has been resolved now.