Hi Terry,
Totally understand what you're saying about Mercedes vs. Jaguar!
I recently retired at 62 after years and years of various company cars (was a shock to have to tax and insure a car for the first time in decades!). Was originally considering a C Class, but had always had a hankering for an XF. Tried both, in various guises, but the XF won hands-down!
I think the word we're looking for is 'soul'. MB cars are efficient and tidy, but I've yet to find one with the grin factor of my XF.
I know the XF is a few years old (2011) but to get the same fun from a Mercedes (or Audi, BMW, et al) would have blown my budget.
Hope you enjoy yours as much as I am mine!
Cheers,
Jon