Should I buy it???????????????

[79-240d-project]

Found a 82 240D for sale for 300.00(I think). It has a manual transmission, ele. sunroof, a/c. The interior is pretty trashed. Drivers seat is totally shot and is showing exposed springs. The body looks pretty straight, with very little rust. It would need to be rescued quickly or the rust is just going to get a lot worse. All the drains are pine needle clogged and the interior is very damp with the carpet being soaked. I looked under the front and rear carpet pads, some surface rust is showing but not bad. Could not look in the trunk. The odometer is showing 239K and I am unsure if it even works. The motor's status is unknown, I am waiting for a call back from the owner. No battery and some interesting wiring splices going on. Oh ya, a twig is being used to plug the fuel return line on the last injector(ouch)! Over all the engine compartment is pretty clean. Undercarriage of vehicle is pretty good as well.

Now I have a 79 240D, would this be worth the effort as a parts car? The color is light ivory and my 79 is maple yellow. Are the differences in the engine and wiring of a 82 vs 79 going to cause big problems? I am thinking the engine is worth saving to rebuild at my leasure for a eventual replacement for the 79. What about the trans.?

Have I been bitten by the MB bug, am I off my rocker?

Suggestions?