I rate mine highest on the list of what I would own.
Still running my 1975 Stihl 041. Have a new MS361 and it is almost as much fun to run as the old one. Both cut wood very well, run well, have 20" bars, and I have a good Stihl dealer close by.
I've run other brands, and sawn with others that own other brands, and have yet to experience anything that runs better or cuts better, or lasts as long without repair.
Can't say that there are not other brands out there, but Stihl remains in demand, and that wouldn't happen if they didn't run as good as they say. I started with Stihl on a recommendation of a logger, and have been very satisfied.
But, depending on the size and the year, I think there are tempermental Stihl saws that don't run as well as the big pro Stihl saws. All Stihl saws are not created equally. Like all saws, they require a lot of tender care, and for that reason, no one, but me, runs my Stihl saw. NO ONE! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
Hope you find out what is troubling yours.