Can you open up the wall behind the refrigerator to get about 4 more inches?

I thought about doing that, but behind the wall is the living room with outlets, etc. Even if I could, I think that pushing it back into the cabinet would interfere with the hinge side clearance and the door wouldn’t open fully.

You could consider the 36" w Subzero Designer Series which can be fully integrated, has the compressor on the bottom and two freezer drawers instead of one. It is slightly lighter in weight, slightly shallower, and a little less expensive than the Classic Series, which is the only style they made 33 years ago. MSRP about $11,490. I have the 30" version of this, and the MSRP at the time was $10K+, and mine was quoted at a little less than MSRP.

You could look at 36" build in Liebherr. It is slightly shorter at 79" and they are frequently priced at a little less than $9000.

I am talking about panel ready rather than stainless doors.

I don't know of an alternative. I just spent a year analyzing refrigerators to replace a 20 year old freestanding 36" counter depth. I found new refrigerators to have a variety of problems including very thick doors such that they stick out about five inches beyond the cabinet (most) along with print proof stainless finish that peels off (most), flimsy drawers (Bosch) and a variety of other functional and lifespan deficiencies (most if not all). I ended up investing in a SubZero including new cabinetry to accommodate it. In a previous remodel I saved some money and got a built-in KitchenAid instead of SZ. It was problematic. In my experience you get what you pay for.

CR tested the Dacor DRF365300AP ($8500) brandmate which did well enough to earn a recommended rating. The specs call for a 25" deep cabinet so the door would protrude 1" plus the handles. The only picture I could find of the installed refrigerators is here.

The Elica ER36FRB19IPR ($6500) would meet your specifications. It's also sold under several other brands (at higher prices) as you can see on the AJ Madison website.

The Bosch Benchmark B36IT905NP ($8700) also earned a CR recommended rating and has a high predicted reliability.

Thanks. The Bosch is on the shortlist and we’re also looking at a Liebherr. I would still like to get the Sub Zero but most of the other choices are about $5k less expensive. Tough decision.

@Joanne - ask yourself what you are going to do with the $5K you save and how you will feel about that when you have problems or are otherwise dissatisfied with the fridge. Maybe you aren’t planning to stay in the house much longer in which case I might also go with a cheaper option.

The quality of reasonably priced refrigerators in the US since Whirlpool bought out the American competitors Amana and KitchenAid is abysmal. Korean products are unreliable. We need Japanese Hitachi and Mitsubishi products.

You in the integrated segment. Miele Mastercool is another option for you. The price is at SZ level but discountable. IKEA has a fully integrated product made by Electrolux. You would need two and cabinets plus doors.

KitchenAid didn't offer refrigerators until after Whirlpool bought the company in 1986. Maytag bought Amana in 2002. Amana brand came along with the deal when Whirlpool bought Maytag in 2016.

Thanks for all of the good input and suggestions. Appreciate that folks will take the time to help.

We are retired, and will likely want to move to something smaller and with a first floor bedroom within the next 10-15 years, at which time I will be over 80 yrs old. So, while I love high quality, it doesn’t make sense to spend too much. We went with the Bosch Benchmark 36” built in. I spent the rest on a really nice espresso setup, lol. At least I can take it with me if we move.

OT: What espresso machine did you buy? Just curious. i recently bought a Breville express Impress.

La Spaziale mini Vivaldi II and a Turin DF64V grinder along with some nice accessories. I make mostly milk drinks and wanted a double boiler. Love it

Sounds like a well thought out decision. Enjoy!