STHIL MS290 CHAINSAW TIME FOR A TOP-END REBUILD?????

[davesl708]

The ms361 sold new for about $650, not $900. The replacement, the 362 is around $750, I think.

Ok, I know people can ask what ever price they want for items on Ebay but used MS361 were between $395 tot $950. A MS290 new guy was asking $655 for the saw. Used MS290's were between $250 and $355.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

As bad as the scoring was on that cylinder, I suspect lack of oil. That would lead me to believe that the rod bearings might be bad too and a crank rebuild would be needed.

 

[s219]

When comparing a Stihl pro saw to a mid-grade or homeowner-grade saw, you have to look at power, weight, and size/handling. So in reality, the Stihl 261 (pro saw) is what people choose over a 290 (mid-grade). The 261 is smaller, lighter, meaner, and will out-cut a 290 all day long. It makes the 290 seem fat and lazy.

Not all Stihl pro saws are great, in fact the 362 is one of the dogs in Stihl's pro lineup. The competition has better saws in that size class.

 

[davesl708]

When comparing a Stihl pro saw to a mid-grade or homeowner-grade saw, you have to look at power, weight, and size/handling. So in reality, the Stihl 261 (pro saw) is what people choose over a 290 (mid-grade). The 261 is smaller, lighter, meaner, and will out-cut a 290 all day long. It makes the 290 seem fat and lazy.

Not all Stihl pro saws are great, in fact the 362 is one of the dogs in Stihl's pro lineup. The competition has better saws in that size class.

Looking at Stihl's comparison charts the major difference between the MS290 and MS261 is .2 bhp. They both run 16" to 20" bars.
Don't think the cost difference is worth it for cutting trees around the property.

 

[davesl708]

When comparing a Stihl pro saw to a mid-grade or homeowner-grade saw, you have to look at power, weight, and size/handling. So in reality, the Stihl 261 (pro saw) is what people choose over a 290 (mid-grade). The 261 is smaller, lighter, meaner, and will out-cut a 290 all day long. It makes the 290 seem fat and lazy.

Not all Stihl pro saws are great, in fact the 362 is one of the dogs in Stihl's pro lineup. The competition has better saws in that size class.

Looking at Stihl's comparison charts the major difference between the MS290 and MS261 is .2 bhp. They both run 16" to 20" bars.
Don't think the cost difference is worth it for cutting trees around the property.

 

[motownbrowne]

Looking at Stihl's comparison charts the major difference between the MS290 and MS261 is .2 bhp. They both run 16" to 20" bars.
Don't think the cost difference is worth it for cutting trees around the property.

Just depends. Worth it to who? The 261 is about 2 pounds lighter. That's a huge difference that you'll feel every time you use the saw. Also, in a situation like the op's, the 261 is much more easily rebuilt. Lastly, yes the retail prices are pretty different, but I've seen 260s and 290s in similar condition for the same price used. I don't know why people think a farm boss is worth $300 used, when you can buy a 260 for the same price.

 

[s219]

Looking at Stihl's comparison charts the major difference between the MS290 and MS261 is .2 bhp. They both run 16" to 20" bars.
Don't think the cost difference is worth it for cutting trees around the property.

The 261 is much lighter and handles much better. You'll notice the difference right away, and over time (hours, days) it really pays off. And it has a strato cylinder design which revs faster and more responsively, so it's better for limbing and any other cutting where you're on the throttle all the time. What's not to like about a smaller lighter saw that can out-cut a bigger heavier one?

 

[davesl708]

Just depends. Worth it to who? The 261 is about 2 pounds lighter. That's a huge difference that you'll feel every time you use the saw. Also, in a situation like the op's, the 261 is much more easily rebuilt. Lastly, yes the retail prices are pretty different, but I've seen 260s and 290s in similar condition for the same price used. I don't know why people think a farm boss is worth $300 used, when you can buy a 260 for the same price.

That is surprising to me too. I only paid $389 for my MS290 new four years ago. I don't cut wood all day only occasionally. Mostly 2-3 hours cutting up dead fall. The 261 is a production machine so the weight would be an important factor.

I suspect most people buying used machines don't research the models and don't know the 261 is professional grade and the 290 is routine farm/home use.

 

[motownbrowne]

That is surprising to me too. I only paid $389 for my MS290 new four years ago. I don't cut wood all day only occasionally. Mostly 2-3 hours cutting up dead fall. The 261 is a production machine so the weight would be an important factor.

I suspect most people buying used machines don't research the models and don't know the 261 is professional grade and the 290 is routine farm/home use.

Yeah, I think the name Stihl and Farm Boss on it really makes it hold value. Don't get me wrong, it's a fine chainsaw, but for the money there's better ones to be had. That's almost their best quality, you can buy one new, use it for 20 years and sell it for what you paid for it. Not much else you can count on doing that with!

 

[dfkrug]

The ms361 sold new for about $650, not $900. The replacement, the 362 is
around $750, I think.

This is one of the problems with Stihl. Even list prices are not generally published on the internet as the dealer
agreements forbid that, from what I am told. Some Stihl dealers cheat, and will give you an online quotation
anyway. If you walk into your local chainsaw store, and you see an MS361 or 362 on the shelf with a price
tag, you will prob see more like $900, with taxes. What you negotiate is up to you, and Stihl dealers often
negotiate. Some folks don't know that.

When I recommend buying a new saw to someone, I always suggest Husky or Makita because of more price
transparency. (And Makita/Dolmar prices can be as high as Stihl's.)