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[f150bft]

There is a saw for sale in the local adds its a Stihl MS270C. pics shows it to look "newish" Says it starts easy and runs good. It has an 18" bar and they are asking $225 for it. I don't know anything about them. Anybody care to advise me on it? Is it worth the asking price? Is this model a good size saw?
 Thanks

[SKAMPO]

That price doesn't seem bad at all if it's clean and runs good, same saw (MS271) brand new is $399 with the 18" bar. It's a "consumer" model so it wont be the best of the best, but it would make a good medium sized saw. I guess it depends on what your looking to use it for.

[hondaracer2oo4]

It would be a good firewood saw for you. Im sure hell take $175 -$200 and it would be a good deal for that price. Look it over, see how used and abused it is, ask him what he used it for and why hes selling it. I have two Stihl 026s which are pro saws but very small and light, great for firewood. Basically the same size motor as the 270.

[f150bft]

I have an old Homelite Super XL (all metal) that runs real well and has a 20" bar. I think it's a 58cc engine. I thought it was a beast until a buddy went with me to cut a load. He was using a Husqvarna 372 and that damn thing was bad ass. I didn't use it but I watched him with it and man was it mean. Now I do know that it is a 71cc engine and that is a lot larger than my 58cc.....but what a difference it was. It sounded like it was turning 15k RPM where mine sounded more like 4k RPM. To say the least I was impressed.
 What I'm wondering is....... is my old Homelite wore out or is that just the way they were?  Are the newer saws that much faster? Should I talk to this guy about the Stihl? I think from what I have learned so far is that this MS270C is a 50cc engine which is about 8cc smaller with about the same rated HP as my Homelite. I generally think that the older stuff was made better than the new in MOST cases but I'm not sure on this. How do you think it would compare to my saw? Thanks for any and all replies.

[hondaracer2oo4]

If your homelight has not been tuned up in the past few years and you don't know when it last had a compression check I would say it's tired. Not something that couldn't be livened up with a new set of rings and a good old tune up. With that being said going from that old rattle your teeth out of your head homelight to a new Stihl would be like going from a Willys jeep to a new Tahoe.

[f150bft]

I agree that it does vibrate and rattle a lot but it has been a good saw. It really doesn't seem to be worn out to me. The compression has not ever been checked as long as I have had it. It starts fairly quickly and I have taken out the plug and cleaned-regapped it this year. Didn't seem to make any difference. I don't see any smoke while its running except maybe on startup only.

[gregg1056]

 I used one for years.  16 inch bar and chain.
I traded it in for a MS 361, 16 inch bar, 3/8 chain, 8 tooth drive sprocket.
Cuts like a hot saw.
The local Stihl dealer gave me 300 for  the 270 on trade.
I keep my saws clean and it looked like new.
Gregg1056

[wissel12]

Stihl is the only way to go. My 025 is 14 years old still runs like a beast. Only had to replace the oiler system.

But the old AV O31 and 032s are real beast. If you can find one with good compression they are a find.
Much heavier than the new stuff out.

[nstueve]

MS270 and MS280

Both were made with a cable and buffer suspension system that was too soft. The extra flex has torn lots of the intake boots. I've done a couple dozen of them already out of my shop.

And not to piss in anyone's cheerio's here but the power to weight ratio is pretty bad on these saws. I can pick up my dolmar at 12.5lbs (0.2 heavier than 270/280) and it's 64cc and will run a 24in bar. Not to mention I can throw a 84cc big bore kit on it to run a 32in bar if I ever wanted to. Just sayin... If you want a small and light limber I would check out the Redmax series designed and powered by Zenoah/Komatsu out of japan. Some of the absolute best little limbers I've seen stock!