Great analysis Ed. That has been true for years. There is a technology break between 126 and 140 that is significant. 126 has a lot in common with all the post 1959 S class, and even with all post-1961 MB cars (1962 in the NA market) The 140 has more in common with the 1995 and later cars. A similar technology break was made with the 1959 introduction of the 111/112 chassis, and two years later for the 110. Those cars were radically different than the pontons and earlier.
The 126, and its technologically similar products (107/110/111/112/113/114/115/116/123/124/126) are relatively inexpensive to maintain. The 140 tried to be more like the 20 years out of production 600, but in a much smaller chassis. It was a full jump into the world of electronics, and high priced window switches, "bulletproof" glass, etc. with M100 type prices for parts.
The 210 is a transition model, without all the most expensive hang-ons that the 140 got. 210 still shows it linage, with many parts interchangeable with the 124.
Compared to a 140, a 126 is reliable and inexpensive to keep on the road. It was never aimed at the 600 market.
I think there could be several reasons for this; but just my guess. I find most top of the range models don't hold their value as well as the more affordable models. Also, these cars are bought new, by well off people. Most of those people remain well off, so when a new model comes out, they buy it. Once these cars are sold, it's often to people who want one, but are unwilling to pay the big premium to drive it out of the showroom (can't blame them). They get several years of pretty trouble free driving out of a newish car, but are wise enough to part with them before they become a money pit, and then they go out and replace it with something similar again, but newer. As these cars change hands, the running costs go up, naturally, as the car is getting older. The cars are getting cheaper, and so these cars are now finding their way into hands for even less money, but with greater running costs. (they start looking like a deal too good to pass up if you're a car guy) Throw in a bit of a squeeze with the economy, ever rising fuel prices, and a few replacement parts that cost WHAT???? that you have to justify to the wife, and once again, these cars are on the market, but now for cheap, with some miles, and deferred maintenance, with the promise to cost as much as the car is worth, to fix those little switches that don't work, and other little things that should have been changed as part of regular maintenance, but weren't. I find this is kind of the route big BMWs take too. These cars were designed to be owned by rich guys, and maintained with an open chequebook. I'm glad this happens in ways, as it allows car guys like us to buy a V12 if we want. We just have to be smart when making a choice, and leave a good chunk of cash off to the side to keep it serviced as it deserves to be. I think they are really great cars! :-) Ed 300E
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