Replacement saw for a Stihl 011-AVT ??? Questions about NEW MS-241.

[Spearo]

I have a Stihl 011-AVT (rear handle) that still runs well in cold weather.
Now that spring is here again, it's not as reliable as I need. Its never liked summer heat!
I have worked on it and so has the better local saw shop.
It's as old as I am. The saw has its quirks ...as do I !

But, that 011-AVT cuts REALLY well.
Originally joined this site to keep this little saw running.
I have pretty much bought my local shops out of their spare parts for it. Felt like a kid in a candy store, when one saw shop found spare throttle cables!

I want a new saw to replace it.
40-ish 'cc' with a 14-in bar, pulling 3/8 lo-pro PS or PS3 chain.
I have several larger saws but use the 011-AVT mostly, on oak and birch, for on the ground limbing.
All of my outdoor power equipment is Stihl.

Stihl MS 201 (rear handle), I can get one for $670 (cash) at my local saw shop. Good shop.
--I really do not want to spend that much, for what will be, my smallest saw.
--Saw is less than 40-cc.

Echo CS-361P (rear handle). For about half the price of the MS-201, sounds like a strong competitor to it.
--None of my local dealers carry it. The better, local Echo dealer will order it as part of the Spring sale: $340.
--My last Echo 2-stroke sounded like a jar full of marbles, following its final run. Snapped rod. It did last 9-years.
--Saw is less than 40-cc.

Stihl MS-241C:
--Found two of them yesterday. Brand new, on the shelf, with a Stihl sticker showing manufacture Feb-2017.
--The dealer whom has them, does not have a mechanic that I trust. (Given the equipment I have seen come out of that shop recently!)
--M-Tronic sounds like something I want in New England, where we have big daily temperature swings.
----Do all of the MS-241's have M-Tronic?
--Discontinued in 2019.
--$520 with my choice of bar and chain.

I'm leaning toward the MS-241.
Is there anything I should be concerned about, now that its 3-years old yet, brand new??
I have no clue what the differences are between a 2017 and a 2019 MS-241?

So, what to do?
Would appreciate your thoughts on the 2017 MS-241.
Will it need a full carb-clean on this BRAND New saw?

...and if you have hands-on ownership time with any of the above
saws mentioned: Please, sell me on a new saw.

Spearo

 

[jackjcc]

241 gets my vote every time. Have owned one for 5 years and it’s fantastic. They do come in non mtronic as well. There should be no issues with the saw sitting on a shelf in good conditions, hopefully it was never fueled.


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[Tobystihl]

It's a big thumbs up from me on the Ms241 cracking little lightweight saw with plenty of power, I wouldn't part with mine!

 

[DND 9000]

They do come in non mtronic as well.

The MS 241 was and is only availible as M-Tronic version. There was never a version without m-tronic from Stihl. It`s right that the MS 241 is discontinued in the US from Stihl and NLA, except existing stock at some dealers.

 

[Deleted member 150358]

Echo CS-361P (rear handle). For about half the price of the MS-201, sounds like a strong competitor to it.

I have a couple other saws but I use the 011avt a lot! I recently got a 261c I love. But something about the goofy 011avt handle makes it so maneuverable in the brush. Safer then a top handle better reach!

The 201 e-cm looks as close as ya can get. But if I had to replace my 011 today that echo 361p is probably where I would start.

 

[jackjcc]

The MS 241 was and is only availible as M-Tronic version. There was never a version without m-tronic from Stihl. It`s right that the MS 241 is discontinued in the US from Stihl and NLA, except existing stock at some dealers.

This is correct I was wrong, thanks for pointing it out.


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