BMW's sport sedan flagship has split into two distinct eras: the beloved and the bloated. The E39 remains the gold standard, timeless design, balanced performance, and a driving character that still feels modern decades later. The G30 (2017-2023) carried that legacy forward with handsome proportions, a brilliant B58 engine in the 540i, and the kind of daily-driver refinement that makes long commutes feel effortless. Then the 2024 G60 arrived, swollen to 7 Series dimensions with cost-cut interior plastics and awkward styling that owners say looks front-wheel-drive. Experts praise its tech and smoothness; enthusiasts mourn the loss of athletic soul. The smart play? A used G30 540i combines steep depreciation with genuine excellence, just budget for BMW maintenance costs that don't depreciate with the sticker price. Skip the current generation unless you prioritize tech over driving character and can stomach the design.
The Jetta splits the difference between appliance and enthusiast tool, sharper to drive than a Corolla, 35-40 MPG real-world, and a GLI that borrows the GTI's 228-horse engine and adaptive dampers. Electrical faults are the tax you pay: door sensors, window regulators, and wiring issues shadow every generation, and this car punishes owners who skip oil changes far faster than a Civic would. Buy if you want a compact that rewards engagement and you keep maintenance records; walk if you need a car that forgives missed services or you can't tolerate the occasional quirky fault.