MS280 . . . For Those In the Know About Stihl

Wesspur
Treestuff
shop deals on amazon
Advertise with us
Arborist Forum

Help Support Arborist Forum:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.
V

Vernon Tull

ArboristSite Operative
Joined
Apr 3, 2005
Messages
137
Reaction score
6
Location
Alabama
For those you who are Stihl dealers and anyone knowledgable about the Stihl line, I'm wondering about the MS280. Is it true that dealers sell very few MS280s (and even MS270s) ? I've assumed this because the three Stihl dealers that I've visited lately have had no 280s in stock and say that they almost never have one unless it's a special order. They always have three or four of the heavy 290s in stock, but no 280s.

I've casually and quietly been looking for a MS280 for a few months, but even my daily scans of E-Bay reveal that very seldom do 280s and 270s turn up for sale. On E-Bay a fellow could find at any one time high numbers of 029/290 saws for sale or bid, but practially never a 280 or 270.

What's wrong with the 280 that dealers won't stock them? I've even noticed that many of you fellows here on the forum have in the past had mostly negative comments about the 270 & 280 models.
 
I have yet to hear anyone that has one dislike it.

I think the reason why they aren't a good selling saw is because most people either opt for the MS290 (cheaper, larger displacement, but a homeowner saw), MS260 (a tad more expensive, smaller displacement but a pro saw) or the MS361 (more expensive, larger displacement but a pro saw). Pricewise it doesn't fit into their lineup very good imo (similar to the ms650).
 
The 280 is a slow seller because it's priced high'ish... and many dealers don't stock it. Pros skip over it and get the 260 or 361, and homeowners buy the 290/310...

We only stated carying it last December. Appeals to those homeowners looking for a later design than the 290 series, but who don't want to spring for a 361.
 
I believe the main issue with the 270 and 280 is that they don't fit in the traditional Consumer vs. Pro picture, but falls between - not built quite like a pro saw, and too expensive for a consumer saw.

The crankcase is magnesium, but not vertically split.

There is little doubt that they are good saws, but the weight and bulk is too close to the 361, compared to the power.
 
I have always liked the feel of the 270-80 saws but my experiance with them is drooling over them at my dealer, never made a cut with one.
As for the negatives here just place them in the dung heap with every other non-pro Stihl or XP Husky saw:bowdown: LOL

My (good)dealer has both in stock as do most of the half arsed dealers around here. I think the sales problem is just as others have said, people who shop Lowes and Wall Mart for saws are goig to leave that one lay and most likely so would I going instead for a 260 or 361.
 
Better Living Through Electronics. Warning, Eccentric's Tinfoil Hat (ETH) is on....

Another strike against this saw is the "Inteligent Engine Management" system (IEM) that the current production MS280s have. I know I'm a kook, yet I'd also bet that others are hessitant to buy a chainsaw with an electronicaly controlled carb. The HS needle is completely eliminated (yay EPA...). Their literature states that the little magnetic valve in the carb opens and closes 33 times a second! Just the thing for the hostile/dirty enviroment that chainsaws live in. Better have sqeeky clean fuel!



The kook in me believes that someday (soon) the EPA will require saws to have OBD (on board diagnostic) capability like cars. We'll have to bring our saws back to the dealer when the saw doesn't run right so he can hook his computer to it. "That'll be $55.00 plus tax for me to clear that 'loose fuel cap' error code from your computer". Smog checks anyone??? :popcorn:

Then there's the cost. The 'brain' incorporated into the ignition module plus the afforementioned electronic carb of course upped the cost of the saw to near-MS260 levels. Might as well buy an MS260 before they phase it out. Replacement componants will be more $$$ too. Now, if the ignition portion or the fuel management portion of the ignition module fails you will of course have to replace the whole thing. The carb's gonna be pricey to replace too. I don't know whether that carb can be rebuilt easily with a 'kit' (or must be replaced as a unit). Also, I don't know whether the 'magnetic valve' can be replaced independantly of the carb. I hope Lake and/or the other Stihl guys 'in the loop' will enlighten us 'out of the loop' folks. :cheers:
 
Last edited:
ms 270 is junk. mine lasted till 2nd season, then the clutch side bearing
came apart and destroyed engine. previously,took it to dealer complaining
of shaft woble. he said nothing was wrong. next outing it came apart.
 
burnt wood said:
ms 270 is junk. mine lasted till 2nd season, then the clutch side bearing
came apart and destroyed engine. previously,took it to dealer complaining
of shaft woble. he said nothing was wrong. next outing it came apart.
Click to expand...


One bad saw is never a good reason to dismiss a model as junk..........:buttkick: :blob6:
 
Come on over to Mississippi and I will be glad to sell you one. lol, I sell more of the 270's than 280's. The 270 is the same price as the 290 and is a little lighter and slimer. I see Stihl doing away with the 290 and 310 in the future and the 270 280 will fall in line. Out of the many sold here I had to replace 2 coils. No other complaints.
 
Vernon Tull said:
For those you who are Stihl dealers and anyone knowledgable about the Stihl line, I'm wondering about the MS280. Is it true that dealers sell very few MS280s (and even MS270s) ? I've assumed this because the three Stihl dealers that I've visited lately have had no 280s in stock and say that they almost never have one unless it's a special order. They always have three or four of the heavy 290s in stock, but no 280s.

I've casually and quietly been looking for a MS280 for a few months, but even my daily scans of E-Bay reveal that very seldom do 280s and 270s turn up for sale. On E-Bay a fellow could find at any one time high numbers of 029/290 saws for sale or bid, but practially never a 280 or 270.

What's wrong with the 280 that dealers won't stock them? I've even noticed that many of you fellows here on the forum have in the past had mostly negative comments about the 270 & 280 models.
Click to expand...

I have not found anything wrong with the 270/280 series except for the fact that the 290 had been so heavily marketed in the past that it s sales still go strong. I think eventually they will take its place because both are much better saws than the 290 ever will be. We use the 270 for clearing cedar instead of the 290 and it is lighter and faster as well as having a lot of pro features. Being priced close to the 260 also doesnt help it any either.
Believe me they are both great saws.
 
A friend of mine bought 4xMS270 on behalf of his employer some years ago, and led the sawing crew - no issues, and he praised the saws - but then his comparison was an old 024AV and a MS250C - so no wonder he liked them......:greenchainsaw: :greenchainsaw:

When he tried my 353, he said that one was lighter and better, but of course there was no direct comparison........
 

Similar threads

S
Moved from Stihl to Echo 7310, so far, so good
2 3 4
Replies
72
Views
21K
Karrl
Karrl
jweier111
Stihl 026 to MS260 Air Filter Conversion
2 3
Replies
43
Views
12K
TomW
T
NewToStihl
Common Stihl 090G Misbeliefs
Replies
16
Views
4K
Long Bar 60
Long Bar 60
W
Echo vs....
Replies
18
Views
4K
woodfarmer
W
W
Echo vs....
Replies
0
Views
220
woodfarmer
W

Latest posts

Back
Top