M-tronic avoid or acquire?

[Andrew15]

So i've decided that i will get a Stihl MS 261 but now i don't know if i should get the 261 C-M with m-tronic or just get it with a classic carb.Any opinions?

 

[Snowd]

I've had the 261c-m for a few years and have had zero issues, it's my go to saw.

 

[Sierra_rider]

I've run both, but I'm a fan of any of the m-tronics.

 

[littletimber]

I have only had my 261cm for about a month. I do enjoy it. I moved from a 290 I had over 10 years, it was a carb saw but never had any issues with it. I, unfortunately, don't have a long use history to provide much advise but it has done well through 5 tanks. If you look on the handle it will have a stick for the M-Tronic version. It sounds like the latest version is 3.0 so I would try to get that if you do.

My adventure here: https://www.arboristsite.com/threads/about-to-purchase-ms261-help.368981/

 

[littletimber]

I should also say my saw physically says MS 261C on the crank case...but it is indeed a MS 261CM. I am not sure when why or for what reason Stihl changed this. I believe by the handle sticker or maybe by the muffler it has the MS261CM designation.

Here it is on the Stihl website:

https://www.stihl.com/ms-261-c-m-chainsaw.aspx#intro

 

[Section VIII]

So i've decided that i will get a Stihl MS 261 but now i don't know if i should get the 261 C-M with m-tronic or just get it with a classic carb.Any opinions?

I've had my 441 m-tronic for just under 10 years now and have had no issues.

 

[Stuke]

Just getting started with a 261c-m and I must say, it runs like a champ! Looking forward to many, many years of reliable (under proper maintenance) use, and hoping it can beat my 25 years with a Craftsman 46cc 20" 358 350200. I've basically rebuilt that one and it is still reliable and usable but I felt it's on borrowed time so the Stihl 261c-m is the new bad boy!

 

[irhunter]

It seems these threads break 80/20 for Mtronic, on this site.

To me, it seems you can't make a serious mistake, going with either. There are a ton of posts here singing the praises of Mtronics.

I am, however, a non-Mtronic guy. Mostly, because there is nothing in a MS261 which I don't understand, and which I can't fix at home, with the tools I own.

I run Mtronic saws at work. They're great. I plan to never own one as a "keeper."

Roy

 

[irhunter]

And, if you think one will pull better than the other:

https://www.arboristsite.com/threads/ms261-vs-ms261-c-m-comparison.243686/

 

[N8Dawg]

I vote carb. Between myself and 3 other family members we have over 20 Stihl pro saws. The only models that are currently not running are m tronic.

 

[sean donato]

There's nothing wrong with m-tronic or auto tune saws. The bugs were worked out years ago, and they are dead simple to fix. Have had one version or the other since 2012 and had very few issues. Actually only 1 issue, which would have been a simple fix if it wasn't for no parts anywhere for anything. (Thanks covid.)

 

[lone wolf]

There's nothing wrong with m-tronic or auto tune saws. The bugs were worked out years ago, and they are dead simple to fix. Have had one version or the other since 2012 and had very few issues. Actually only 1 issue, which would have been a simple fix if it wasn't for no parts anywhere for anything. (Thanks covid.)

I have some older ones with bugs still in them. Sometimes the fuel Solenoid will fix them, sometimes a harness, but I haven't bought a coil yet for some real stubborn repairs. I just have back up saws, so I'm in no rush,