Brent
This is a little selection I have put together for you. Out of all of them it would be a hard pic and it would be up to what you want in the car.
Carsales Comparison
If I was after luxury and bit of crystal chandelier about it, I would go the merc. The Merc is immensly comfortable although I found the seating posistions a bit cosy and not exactly endowed with room to spare. I find my parents C class quite claustrophobic actually (I hate it) and their old 540 was a much better car.
If you are after a car that is comfortable in a very luxurious and tasteful way, more functional than show. I would go the BMW 335i with the 330d in second slot. BMW is well known to be the drivers car out of BMW and Merc, still very well trimmed but they are a much better car to drive. Do not be put off by the 330d, the diesel is a gem of a motor and surprised me how much go those things have.
The old adage is that those that have a chauffeur buy Mercedes, those that like to drive buy BMW. Another good option in this criteria is the Audi A4 but I am not sure that I could buy something with CVT, a lot of manufacturers gave up on that technology due to reliability issues.
If you want luxury, reasonable performance with good driving dynamics and something that isn't a german commodore or falcon, go the Jag XF. Seriously this has to be one of the sexiest sedans out on the market in the last 2 years. They are simply stunning inside and out, without being over the top. This would be my pic here.
Another that is worthy of an honourable mention is the VW Passat CC, well worth considering. They have a very sexy shape, spectacular mechanicals with one of the best transmissions that god put on this earth. Added to that the specs are very good, fit and finish is brilliant and the money saved on the base car allows you to go nuts on the options list.
So, my rating if I was copping the bill, considering I would be after luxury, nice to steer and enough room.
1 Jaguar XF
2 BMW 335i
3 BMW 330d
4 VW Passat CC
5 Audi A4
6 Merc E280
7 Merc C320