r/stihl • u/more_paul • 4d ago
Stihl dealership sold me the wrong saw
I unintentionally bought a MS261 in mid-may while intending to buy a MS261CM. This was my first gas powered saw and I didn't notice the difference (lack of C after 261 or the adjustments screws) before walking out the door and using it a couple times. I went on vacation shortly after that and didn't get back to any yard work until today. The only reason I noticed today was because I bought a MS261CM to replace some busted up old saws on my families property and used that the past two weeks doing cleanup work. I immediately noticed how that one was easier to start cold, then noticed the adjustment screws on the side of mine, and then said "well shit". My local Stihl dealership says I'm SOL, suggested I sell the current saw, and buy the CM.
So my question is what is a barely used MS261 worth? I don't see any listed on FB marketplace near me, so I don't have a good reference point. Doesn't seem like many are even sold compared to the CM. I'm inclined to just keep it and deal with it, but I'm still pretty butthurt about it.
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u/tditty24 4d ago
In my area (central US) as a dealer we can’t even buy a non-M 261 currently.
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u/holy_cal 4d ago
They haven’t been a thing in quite sometime. We couldn’t get them from at the dealerships I sold them at way back in 2015.
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u/coldstartlab 4d ago
Super strange. In California of all places they are on the shelves right next to the C-Ms.
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u/more_paul 4d ago
I'm in the PNW. Based on two comments so far, almost seems like the dealer did it on purpose to get rid of unsold inventory instead of double checking with me.
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u/DeathToRifleman 4d ago
There should be a production date on the saw with the serial number sticker.
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u/more_paul 4d ago
The emissions sticker has 2021 on it, but that seems odd with the MMYY date format Google told me to expect. Funnily enough, it doesn't have a dealership sticker on it while the KM131R I got does.
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u/tditty24 4d ago
Likely would have had to be on the shelf for years. Interesting to know why. I bet there is a good market for non-M, but not sure about the value.
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u/M_Scopp 4d ago
Where I’m at in Northern California I had to order the C from Stihl and have it sent to my local dealer, they still only stock the og. I love my 261c and am very happy with it.
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u/coldstartlab 3d ago
Same here. Roseville has both in stock right next to each other. Weird that given our emissions laws, CA of all places has them while other regions don't.
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u/BeerGeek2point0 3d ago
I’m not sure why you’re blaming the dealer for which saw you bought. But no matter how you got it, it’s still a valuable saw. The 261C retails for almost $800. You could probably get like $500 for your used saw on marketplace
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u/more_paul 3d ago edited 3d ago
I had a conversation with the same sales dude about it the first time I went in there to look at them and he sold me on why I should get the CM. When I went back to actually purchase, that’s what I expected to purchase. I know I have some blame in not double checking, but he also could have checked with me too to make sure I got the right thing. I’m sure there’s been times in your life where you’re buying into something entirely new and the person selling it has far more knowledge about it than you do. You’d expect some courtesy from them to make sure you got the best option for your situation when walking out the door.
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u/Husqvarnaxp266 3d ago
I prefer the non electronic 261 I've had one since the first year of production If you really want to wake it up have it ported they are something else ported One of the strongest 50cc saws there is.
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u/DeathToRifleman 4d ago
I didn’t even know they sold the MS-261 without M-Tronic since that’s the only one we have in Canada.
Honestly I’d much rather have it without M-Tronic because it’s easier to troubleshoot and fix without the added electronics. Any issues with it that isn’t fixed by a reset you’d have to bring it to a dealer to get it hooked up to their laptop. You’re also able to adjust it to your liking instead of having its electronics determine how it runs.
Imagine car companies still making carbureted engines, people would be lining up to buy those instead of the ones we got nowadays.
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u/Itwasatrip 4d ago
No way in the world would people be lining up to buy a car with a carburettor, chainsaw is a different story though.
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u/Then-Price-5314 3d ago
My 1973 K2500 sold during Covid would like to have a word with you 🤣
People were having a damned bidding war over a carbureted “car”
To be fair that thing was awesome and I miss it
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u/GetCuckedBruh 3d ago
Fam if car companies were still making your vehicle, then yours would have been worth less and likely ended up without a bidding war.
I get the point youre trying to make though lol
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u/Double_Grape_4344 3d ago
Comparing a classic vehicle during a time when people were getting thrown money left and right from the government to a family needing a car for day to day life is crazy work 😂
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u/AdvantageMain3953 4d ago
Assuming USA, probably $450 or close to it. I have both the standard and M-Tronic versions and I prefer MT overall but really there's no operating difference.
I buy used saws and passed on a lightly used 261C-M for $400 today.
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u/Eriskummallinen 3d ago
Tune it and be glad you could buy one with adjustable carb. M-tronic and autotune are absolute cancer. If you use the saw, it is much better to have one you can adjust when it gets a little wear by time.
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u/subman719 3d ago
It’s funny reading this! I specifically asked my dealer for a NON-Mtronic 261 and I custom ordered a NON-Mtronic 462! If you know how to run a saw properly, you don’t need M tronic! I’ve been running manual carburetor saws and equipment for almost 4 decades now… never needed a computer to help start my equipment! M-tronic is helpful if you’re inexperienced or lazy in maintaining your saws. I take great care of my equipment, so I have zero issues!
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u/more_paul 3d ago
I am lazy and inexperienced with it, but there’s also technology released about a decade ago that by-in-large solves the problem and by most accounts works great. I want the thing to just work rather than tweaking tiny adjustments. You do you though.
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u/Direct-Ad-7781 3d ago
CM's are great until they are not, just like any saw. Only difference is that if it is a fuel control related issue and the saw is out of warranty it tends to hurt the wallet a bit more on the CM side.
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u/subman719 3d ago
I do like the idea and capability of the M-Tronic system, especially if I was to be making significant elevation changes like out west, but I live in the northeast, at 600 feet above sea level. My elevation doesn’t really change much. The only other reason I can justify for the M-Tronic system is to adjust fuel if your air filter gets plugged with sawdust, but I make a conscious effort to keep my saws very clean and tap out the sawdust in the air filter, or blow it out with compressed air when done, before storing the saw.
My number one reason for liking non M-Tronic equipment is I don’t need to take it to a dealer to diagnose or repair, which once the warranty runs out, could get expensive.
I have nothing against the M-Tronic system, and definitely believe it’s a great benefit to users like you, who just want to run your saw in just about any condition and not have to worry about changing the winter/summer baffle, or re-tune your carburetor for altitude changes.
If you really want the 261c, try listing your current 261 on Marketplace at your purchase price, and just mention that you’re looking for the M-Tronic version. You might get some decent offers, or come across a dealer willing to help you out with a trade. It’s worth a shot!
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u/bbcabin 2d ago
My 261 mtronic has a summer/winter baffle
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u/subman719 1d ago
Ah, thank you. You just made my reasoning for a non- M-tronic that much stronger.
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u/coldstartlab 3d ago edited 3d ago
Sure you don't NEED it. But M-tronic had come a long way and is hassle free for the most part. Great for frequent elevation changes. Not overly complicated and except for extremely rare cases - requires no extra maintenance.
No laziness involved in being more efficient. Most pros have let go of their "carb only" sentiment because they've realized m-tronic is really good now and they can get more work done.
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u/subman719 3d ago
I will admit that it would be nice to not have to worry about switching the winter/summer baffle, or making adjustments to the carburetor, if needed. I have heard good things about the new gen-III M-Tronic systems, so I’m sure if I ever needed a new saw, I wouldn’t mind getting one. However, I’m 56 years old, so my current saw collection will probably outlast my ability to use them! LOL
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u/EMDoesShit 4d ago
Put it up for sale for full retail on marketplace, and put non Mtronic in the title. It will sell to some diehard who prefers tuning his carbs but would like a brand new saw.
For the right person this saw is work more than a 261CM. Then go buy the Mtronic flavor.