[MRM]

Wayne, I think you should give the newer E-350 or E-550 another look. The 06 and earlier were old people cars, but the 07 and newer are not. The 07 and later E-350 are very nice, dead reliable, and look pretty sharp. Also, the options you get make a huge difference between a dowdy old man's car and something very update but comfortable. I know a court reporter in Palm Beach who is about your wife's age (yes, also stunningly beautiful, but no pics as of yet) who drives one. People think she's a movie star as she exits the car. Get a black one and keep it clean and your wife will have the same experience.

After a several year search that included many of the cars you mention above, and sharing you and your wife's opinion of most of them, my wife eventually narrowed her choice down the the BMW 535 and E-350. Kaisen from this board got us a tremendous deal on an E-350 with leather interior and some extra bells and whistles. Every time we ride in it we exchange a glance and comment that it's the perfect car. I drive an Audi RS6. It is an absolute blast and embarasses M5s. But my next car (in ten years) will probably be an E-550. The S Class is just too big to park comfortably in cramped ramps, the 550 has the power of a five year older AMG. Proven reliability after the mid 2000s. It's a car you can buy and own for a long time and enjoy the luxury of without the compromises most of the interesting but older, quirky cars you are considering.