I purchased my '71 in June '04 in Sedona, AZ. I drove it home to Memphis, TN. some 1,200 miles. The tires were fairly new, and the car was rarely driven by the previous owner. As a new 113 owner, I drove it alot. In August of '04, while returning home from the office, after driving highway and approx. 70 MPH, I had a blow out on the right rear tire. It blew out on the sidewall. Luckily when the blow out occured, I was already off the highway and only going about 45 MPH. I was able to pull off to the side of the road and change the tire. Of course, I purchased 4 new tires. I believe the ones on the car were dry rotten from the car sitting and not being driven. I used the 113 jack, the wheel choke, and I was happy to have the spare. Oddly, I ended up leaving the wheel choke on the side of the road and drove off. Later in the evening, I ended up going back and luckily it was still there.
Summary, I was glad that I had the spare and all of the other needed tools.
Bob
bpossel (Memphis, TN.)
'71 280SL / '97 E320