SD Rust

[chetwesley]

I have a question for SD owners... I am looking at an SD. It has some rust issues, but basically, I am looking for a car that can last me 5 years or so without any major issues. I live in Wisconsin (rust country) and I don't have the time to restore cars to the way they used to look, so that is not the issue for me.

The owner has been so nice as to take pictures of the rusty areas for me (he is a little too far to just "drive on over.") I am not all that familiar with the SD, only the TD, so things look a little different to me. Is the black part along the bottom ridge with the coating over it (underneath the doors, along the middle part of the body) a structural part of the car? On the TD it seems to be because the jack points come out of it, but on here, it looks like the metal there is actually thinner and part of the body. If anyone could clarify that point in general, I would appreciate it.

So could you take a look here and tell me if you see anything DANGEROUS or anything that is going to become a major pain (like water spraying in through the floor, floor falling out, etc) within 5 years.

(edit: link removed out of respect for seller)

Again, I have come to the conclusion for myself that I am looking for a cheap mercedes diesel that rides well and is drivable for a few years, not neccessarily something pretty, so please keep that in mind.