115's are very prone to rust... A rust free example is a very hard find.

Find yourself a nice straight 84 300d, that will do the trick.

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W123 1985 300TD naturally aspirated

WOW

That is a nice 220D especially with the mileage on it!!!!! The condition!! No repairs needed, damn. If he's telling the truth I would go for it, you could easily get 5-6 thousand maybe even more if your decided to turn around and sell it.

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2007 BMW 328XI

I noticed this well preserved 77 300D a few days ago. It has real leather, and isn't perfect. But it's a good solid starting point. The listing includes bottom chassis pics, and you can see that all the undercoat is intact and that it's rust free.

So far, it looks like it's selling for a reasonable price.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260458148894&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWAX%3AIT

There's also a nice one on this website, located in Orlando. The important work has been done.

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1979 240D, 4spd manual, Power Sunroof, manual windows, 147k miles, Pastel gray/Black MB Tex.
1991 300D 2.5 - Smokes like it's on Crack!

As BrandonSLC stated, I would take a hard look at the 240d in Orlando listed on this website in the cars for sale area. It looks like a great car for a first-time MB diesel owner and the 240d's are very simple. The owner seems pretty knowlegeable and honest about what it needs. Sounds like you could get on a bus and ride to Orlando and drive home in your first MB.