Last spring, the inevitable happened: I traded my beloved Porsche for a station wagon. For car enthusiasts, this is a familiar tale, a rite of passage. The sports car makes way for the practical family vehicle, capable of hauling kids, pets, and the paraphernalia of modern family life. However, my transition came a little earlier than most. At 23, single, and child-free, I swapped my 911 Turbo for what many would consider a “mommy-mobile.”
But before you judge, let me clarify: my choice of wagon was a 2007 Mercedes E63 AMG. This wasn’t just any station wagon. Packing a monstrous 507 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque, this Mercedes eclipsed even the Ferrari F430 and Lamborghini Gallardo of its era in sheer power. To put it in perspective, this powerhouse wagon dwarfed the capabilities of my own mother’s 1993 Isuzu Rodeo – a vehicle notable mainly for its stick shift and distinct lack of airbags.
The Rodeo, while offering more grunt than a Caribbean moped rental (the kind with questionable hygiene standards), was hardly a performance machine. It could transport children, yes, but perhaps with a side order of potential head injury due to the unforgiving dashboard. The Mercedes, thankfully, offered a more civilized approach to passenger safety and performance.
Adding to its quirky charm, the 2007 Mercedes E63 AMG wagon boasted a rear-facing third-row seat in the cargo area – a classic Mercedes wagon feature. Imagine the scene: leaving an Audi R8 in your rearview mirror while an eight-year-old tuba prodigy waves goodbye from the back. While I don’t condone street racing or regularly transport tuba-playing children, the image encapsulates the unique appeal of this car: a true performance vehicle wrapped in a practical, family-friendly package.
However, not everyone understood the allure. At a party, a self-proclaimed car guy, owner of a Pontiac GTO, scoffed when I mentioned my plans to trade my Porsche for a station wagon. His look of disgust spoke volumes. But I remained undeterred. I’ve always been drawn to the unusual, and the E63 AMG wagon is undeniably unique. During its three-year run on the W211 chassis, a mere 153 units were imported to the US – a stark contrast to the countless Camrys Toyota sells in a matter of hours. In terms of rarity, it rivaled the Ferrari Enzo, though arguably far more versatile.
The hunt for one was an adventure in itself. After months of searching, I finally located my prize in Indiana and drove it back to Atlanta. For eight glorious months and 9,000 miles, I was the proud owner of this automotive oddity, a grin permanently etched on my face.
Exterior Styling of the 2007 Mercedes E63 AMG Wagon
The W211 E-Class wagon, in general, possesses a certain understated handsomeness, akin to William H. Macy – not conventionally attractive, but with a certain appeal. The AMG variant elevates this with its imposing wheels, rear diffuser, and those subtle yet aggressive front bumper inlets – details that excite car enthusiasts like myself, even if they might escape the notice of the average observer.
However, being a detail-oriented car enthusiast, I couldn’t overlook a few exterior quirks. The color of my wagon, a shade Mercedes christened “pewter,” was, shall we say, an acquired taste. Perhaps conceived in a focus group consisting solely of nonagenarians, it was an unusual choice for an AMG model. Yet, this less-than-desirable color likely contributed to its affordability.
Another point of contention was the facelift applied to the 2007-2009 E-Class models. This update introduced a somewhat beak-like front end, reminiscent of the 1997-1999 Acura CL. While Mercedes never officially explained this design choice, one could speculate its aerodynamic advantages, perhaps even suggesting its potential as an Arctic icebreaker given its immense torque.
Interior and Practicality of the 2007 Mercedes E63 AMG
Stepping inside, the interior of the E63 AMG presented a mixed bag compared to its main rival, the BMW E60 M5, which boasted carbon fiber and aluminum accents. The E63 AMG, in contrast, featured what I affectionately term “Mercedes wood.” While technically real wood, it underwent a factory process that somehow rendered it resembling plastic.
Adding to the somber ambiance was the interior color – a rather uninspiring shade of dull gray, likely named something sophisticated by Mercedes to distract from its inherent blandness. Perhaps this color was chosen by a focus group comprised of lifelong Seattle residents, accustomed to perpetual overcast skies.
Despite these minor shortcomings, the E63 wagon’s cabin offered undeniable benefits. The aforementioned rear-facing third-row seat was a constant source of amusement, with friends invariably attempting to squeeze into it, despite their adult-sized legs. While legroom was indeed limited, the overall interior volume was truly impressive. I even managed to move my entire apartment using the E63, including a disassembled queen-size bed. It also proved its family-car credentials by transporting my electric keyboard, officially joining the ranks of parents ferrying musical instruments.
Driving Experience: Unleashing the Power of the 2007 Mercedes E63 AMG
Up to this point, my critique of the E63 wagon might seem somewhat negative. However, to focus on exterior aesthetics and interior trim is to miss the point entirely. The 2007 Mercedes E63 AMG wagon is fundamentally about the monstrous 6.2-liter V8 engine lurking beneath the hood. This powerplant dominates the driving experience, constantly reminding you of its presence whether you’re burying the accelerator or wincing at the gas pump – both equally frequent occurrences.
Acceleration is where this wagon truly shines. No other vehicle allows you to achieve such breathtaking speeds while simultaneously offering a rearview mirror filled with seven headrests and a functional rear wiper. The sheer thrust is addictive.
Intrigued by its performance potential, I took the wagon to a drag strip on a Friday night in rural Georgia – apparently a popular local pastime. The announcer initially poked fun at the “mom wagon,” complete with roof racks, until it clocked a 13.1-second quarter-mile. I suspect a sub-13-second run was within reach, but my limited drag racing experience (dating back to a slow automatic Volvo in high school) held me back.
Handling, while competent, wasn’t the E63’s primary forte. On a spirited mountain drive alongside Lamborghinis, Ferraris, and even a Carrera GT, the wagon held its own, primarily due to its immense power and substantial grip from tires as wide as speed limit signs. However, noticeable body roll was present, even in the “Sport” chassis setting. Nonetheless, for a family wagon, its handling was remarkably impressive – a significant leap beyond the decidedly less dynamic Isuzu Rodeo.
One of the unexpected joys of owning the E63 wagon was the interactions with other drivers. Unlike my previous Lotus, which attracted unwanted attention from casual onlookers, the Mercedes primarily drew attention from genuine car enthusiasts. These encounters were consistently positive and engaging.
Once, I spotted an E55 wagon, a slightly less rare predecessor. This automotive sighting felt akin to two kindred spirits finding each other in an unexpected place. The mutual recognition was enthusiastic, marked by waves and smiles. In contrast, such an encounter in my Lotus might have been met with competitive disdain.
Verdict: The Enduring Appeal of the 2007 Mercedes E63 AMG Wagon
Ultimately, I adored my E63 wagon, but my mechanic likely cherished it even more. Maintaining this performance beast was a costly endeavor, involving thousands of dollars spent on everything from suspension work to a new differential. The final straw came when I discovered the astronomical price of replacement brake rotors.
Four months ago, I reluctantly sold my AMG wagon, complete with freshly installed brake rotors. Despite the significant running costs, I genuinely miss it and still occasionally browse used car listings, hoping to find another. Serendipitously, my old wagon ended up in the hands of a TTAC reader, long before I began writing for this site. Perhaps upon reading this, he might just be inclined to sell it back to me – ideally at the price he paid.
Doug DeMuro operates PlaysWithCars.com. He’s owned an E63 AMG wagon, road-tripped across the US in a Lotus without air conditioning, and posted a six-minute lap time on the Circuit de Monaco in a rented Ford Fiesta. One year after becoming Porsche Cars North America’s youngest manager, he quit to become a writer. His parents are very disappointed.
