Again, congrats on the car and color!
Your analysis is spot on; your comparison to your S4 very similar to my experience with my E90 M3 which I drove this morning.
If you want 21st century sophistication, look at the M5. I could not agree more.
I dont think I could put mine away for a month, I actually feel guilty that I am ignoring my M3.
Thanks for the flash back on the Merkur - I really wanted one of those when they came out!