Considering a Stihl MS 250 chainsaw
- Thread starter wavinwayne
- Start date
I've had the predecessor to the MS250 since the 90's. It has been stellar and got me out of a few post hurricane messes
back in Florida. It was my only saw back then and I have several others now but I'll never get rid of my 025.
I would buy a new MS250 if I was in the market for one. It's the perfect saw for a homeowner who only has one saw and wants something that's a step up from what you get at the big box stores without paying for a professional saw.
back in Florida. It was my only saw back then and I have several others now but I'll never get rid of my 025.
I would buy a new MS250 if I was in the market for one. It's the perfect saw for a homeowner who only has one saw and wants something that's a step up from what you get at the big box stores without paying for a professional saw.
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Those are good saws, unfortunately the new Stihls are a far cry from what they used to be.
In what way are the new Stihls not as good?Those are good saws, unfortunately the new Stihls are a far cry from what they used to be.
The build quality just isn't there, especially on the plastic homeowner models. When I used to fix a lot of them, I'd see really dumb issues like leaking fuel tanks, fuel lines, oil tanks dumping oil everywhere through the hose, all on brand new saws. When my customers went to get a warranty claim they were always denied and Stihl considered it "owner abuse". Auto-tune saws were a whole different issue. I had one customer who brought his brand new auto-tune saw back 7 times to the dealer before he just insisted they take it back and make it right.
It a color thing.
I think I would rather have the 271 power head with an 18" bar.
not sure, stihl is orange too.
When did Stihl start making chainsaws in China? From having an fs-38 trimmer I don't think I've ever seen a Stihl product that was made in China. I though all of their engines were manufactured here or in Germany.
I've seen some of the lower end homeowner saws and some of the blowers say made in China on them, but they were all newer pieces of equipment. The older Stihls are still decent, but I wouldn't buy any newer ones.
Everything I can find suggests the MS 250 is built in the USA, but even the Stihl page for this model is vague. It says "A majority of Stihl products are made in the USA", but it does not 100% say this saw is.
All of the Stihl that i currently have access to (the 250 is a family members) including a 170 says "Manufactured by Stihl USA with domestic and foreign components"
BTW the 170 is among their cheapest saws and it does 99% of what i need it to do.
BTW 2 Someone mentioned Ez 2 Start - my Kombi motor has that and i would not buy it again.
BTW the 170 is among their cheapest saws and it does 99% of what i need it to do.
BTW 2 Someone mentioned Ez 2 Start - my Kombi motor has that and i would not buy it again.
They have earned every syllable of it.
Yeah. I've asked several lawn crews in the area and the one commercial lawn company that works several local apartments. They all have Stihl, and walker mowers. Apparently the customer service experience is top notch. Eh oh well.
Yes but this a big but most only run pro models not homeowner models.
The commercial companies near me usually switch equipment out every couple years or so, and yes they only buy the pro models. They also buy what equipment brands have dealers close by. We have Scag, Exmark, and Deere dealers close by, so that is usually what they use.
Oddly enough, the commercial company that does the grounds at the university where I work uses all Echo trimmers, particularly the SRM-225, which is the "homeowner" model you can find at home depot because of how light they are.
My dad's ms261c I'm sure is not made in china but my homeowner ms170c is. I don't have any compla other than the fussy starting on it but I may have gotten the hang of it.
Stihl dominates the pro saw market, but husqvarna makes some nice pro saws as well. I have no experience with echo. I try to stay away from that homeowner junk across all brands. The build quality can be questionable.
However an ms250 is a fine saw, and they are easy to work on too. I’ve owned both the 025 and the 250 and they have been great. Ms290,310, and 390 are decent saws too. Heavy and underpowered but reliable.
Anyone who wants a 50cc lightweight saw I always suggest trying to find a husky 346xp, 550xp mark 2 or a Stihl ms261. Not cheap but they are lightweight and will last a lifetime with proper care.
However an ms250 is a fine saw, and they are easy to work on too. I’ve owned both the 025 and the 250 and they have been great. Ms290,310, and 390 are decent saws too. Heavy and underpowered but reliable.
Anyone who wants a 50cc lightweight saw I always suggest trying to find a husky 346xp, 550xp mark 2 or a Stihl ms261. Not cheap but they are lightweight and will last a lifetime with proper care.
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Just a quick correction, Echo is more or less in line with "Prosumer" products. A nice mix of commerical and consumer. If you buy even a low tier echo, it is still of excellent build quality. When you buy the X series line of product they are fully professional products. An example would be the CS-7310.
Like the big three, there is no doubt the low tier stuff is made cheaper and geared towards homeowners, but that is not a reflection of their brand.
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