Stihl MS 500i - An Honest One Year Review

[@tonywelch7786]

You are right, the filtration should not have to be improved on an high end professional expensive saw. Come on Stihl, provide the upgrade

[@rubentrujillo2013]

I agree. Why would someone spend so much for an under engineered saw? I believe Stihl can do it right but will cut development budget dollars because they know fans will buy no matter what is offered and overpriced at that!

[@jackkonnof4106]

I was getting ready to buy one of these for firewood but that airfilter issue really pisses me off. If I pay 1600 for a saw I expect it to work not self destruct. I think I will keep using my smaller saw for awhile and wait for them to correct this or I will go buy a husky since I'm not loyal to any brand. Thank you for an honest review I really appreciate it.

[@christhomson5669]

Thanks. I've been running a 661 for 3 years now. Today I just bought a 500i. Your right the filtration on the 661 is inadequate. I cut strips of fine cloth and wrapped it around the air filter,with the little bit of overhang left on the rag folded down the cover goes on tight enough that at times the only way to lock it in is with a screw driver. So it was definitely tight. It was a band aid solution I came up when I was in the bush with not a lot of other options available far from perfect I know but it didn't affect performance as long as I changed the rag strips a couple of times in an 8 hr day,and I stopped finding sawdust behind my air filter and in the throttle body🙄 Now that I know I'm going to have the same problem on my new 500i I will take your advice and come up with a more permanent solution. Thanks

[@gunterbecker8528]

❤ thanks for your time and honest advice, appreciated, well done

[@FredFlintstone21]

Well that answered my question! Jason Egan kit working great! Im glad because thats what i ordered!

[@russrtspooling7702]

I run my 500i with the west coast suspension kit with the egan straight shot muffler and the egan air filter kit. I firmly think the 28" light bar is the best bar you can get for it. Its perfect for speed and just enough length for the big stuff.

[@Orefamilylawncare]

Between the suspension kit and the filter on such a pricey saw id be a bit upset if i had to do that just to be happy with it 🤔

[@joshlower1]

Yeah if im gonna pay 1600 bucks for a saw i better not have to do shit to it

[@MichaelLeMay-gc1os]

2 years late to the show... would you still recommend the 461 over 500i? I am a small owner operator and I have my nice climbing saw but now that I have some cash flow I am looking to upgrade my 372xp clone that got me started. (love that saw and its made me a ton of money but also exited to have my first pro saw that might be a bit more reliable) I have an 880 clone that has also been great for me for when I need 36 or 48 inch bars. Found a really clean 461 for $800 but also been looking at new 572xp, 462 and 500i. 10% stihl sale Thursday so I'm hoping to decide by then! I find a lot of mixed reviews for the 461 and that's what makes me a bit hesitant. I'm mostly about function, I have no brand loyalty and at least w my experience its all been about the model, taking care of your things and some luck. That being said I'd love any insight from someone who really knows saws in and out for my tree service style of use case!

[@julianalderson3938]

Bro the 500 been around while now. 2 fullas i know had em years still go. Thanks

[@Flashblade]

Can you do a how-to video on how to install the Feller's kit?

[@hotpotatoz]

How do u keep ur saw so clean lol . I look after mine but urs looks brand new still !

[@user-bu2en3cl6s]

I don't buy Stihl saws anymore so I no longer have to worry.

[@bearbait2221]

@9:57 its that a tool holder? for the spark plug wrench? I have only seen them in vids

[@SteveSnowman]

Nice, thanks. - N Idaho -

[@daig1984]

Looks brand new

[@dcvariousvids8082]

I suppose it depends how big your tree are. But I reckon if it’s just for firewood, it’s overkill. Think the best bar for a standard 500i is a 25” bar. If you want to use a 32” or longer, you need to use semi skip or full skip chain on a lightweight bar.

[@mikeskidmore6754]

I hope my Huskys will last me for the rest of my life as these saws have more than doubled in price.

[@waterbourne9282]

For a top saw in a top brand there are some significant design flaws there which you would not be expecting or wanting to be paying for. I upgraded my 50cc saw a year or so ago. Despite having had and been impressed with Stihl gear for a couple of decades, after a fair amount of thought and investigation I went away from the brand for the saw. I also set out to replace my Stihl Combi set. I did replace all of the pieces like for like assuming I get the same as what I had, but when I received them I found that a couple of them had been de-spec'd- shorter hedge trimmer bar (ie more passes for same area- less efficient) with crappy painted covers, and lighter pruning saw chain. I've read that gearboxes on the attachments have been failing and I can only assuming the reduced the load rather than beef up the gearboxes. Having since seen the superior commercial quality looking Husqi equivalent ones I'll be having a very close look and think next time. Come on Stihl, do it properly.

[@julianalderson3938]

Ive got a 400. Love it. But chain break is meltin not workin. Otherwise been really good.

[@Thomas_Malone]

How is it on fuel consumption and run time? I am thinking of getting one for fire wood. Thanks for the video and upgrade ideas.

[@bryceluster8591]

It's a thirsty pig. You'll find yourself mid cut, needing to re fuel.

[@johnragan9959]

Run a sharp chain , you won’t have fine dust in your filters as with any saw

[@kellyburkett3898]

That saw looks brand new. How do you get it or keep it so clean?

[@Justinbpierson]

Blow if off with compressed air and do a quick wipe down at the end of the day.

[@thegrayhillbilly]

The forward angle of the wrap is to move tour hand and the balance point of the saw forward for use of lobger bars. From reviews ive read, the biggest problem with the filter is thw foam washer getting damaged or compressed. Some say run a 2nd one doubled up and keep spares on hand.

[@cmb7481]

Both the saws look brand new.? How is that. I take good care of my gear but man...... the "old style" saw is brand new too....... Thanks for the info but that seams a bit unrealistic. I hope this isn't just pushing after market parts!

[@cmb7481]

Blocking chips with your hand???? Ok - that's going to far

[@PhillipDrumz]

Would you buy it again?

[@Justinbpierson]

Nope

[@julianlaustsen1991]

stihl shoulda fixed this airfilter bullshit long time ago... when u pay 16-1700bucks on a saw it should be fucking working like intended....

[@Robin_Polarstern]

I will Never understanding a STIHL Guy 😅 Buying a very expensive saw and put more money into to change everything. Husqvarna Guy take his saw out of the box and is happy 😂