Can't add anything else to the tech replies already posted. Just a safety comment.
I'd rather have my 17 year old in an MB than any SUV on the market. My 91 190e 2.6 met its maker at the hands of my then 17 yr old dughter (her fault) 2 weeks after getting her drivers license. She and her passenger unscathed. Both cars totaled. But the damage to the benz all between the front bumper and the front wheel. The other car's side was crushed in big time.

A 300e is a lot of car for a 17 year old, imho. Boy or girl.
Good luck dad!

There are also problems with the fuel injection and idle control system as these cars age. The major symptom is dieing or stumbling at idle and a hard restart, right after the engine hits operating temperature. Very hard to diagnose and fix. Lots and lots of posts on this.

I loved my 300E 5-speed. but ended up selling it over this issue.

If you have a few more bucks to spend, try a C220. Less power, airbags on both sides, and ABS.

__________________
Chuck Taylor
Falls Church VA
'66 200, '66 230SL, '96 SL500. Sold: '81 380SL, '86 300E, '72 250C, '95 C220, 3 '84 280SL's '90 420SEL, '72 280SE, '73 280C, '78 280SE, '70 280SL, '77 450SL, '85 380SL, '87 560SL, '85 380SL, '72 350SL, '96 S500 Coupe