Guess this isn't aftermarket parts as such, but here in NZ we are flooded with Chinese bars and chains, one called Tri Link I tried a few years back, the chain stretched very easily and didn't hold an edge long, so wasn't impressed.May have improved since, but, well...one bitten, twice shy for me. But have one called "Longer" here in NZ available through an auction site, that chain is excellent, holds a sharp edge just as well as the Oregon chain, and lasts very well. Bars are pretty crappy, tend to chip off near the sprocket early, despite maximum oiling and cleaning. On an MS440. Okay for the home firewood guy though, considering you can get a 24 inch bar and chain combo for about $80NZ.
Have heard of the chinese fuel filters being total rubbish, falling off the line and not filtering well, same with chinese air filters.
I run Sugi Hara bars and Longer branded chains on the 440 and 661, been really happy with that setup.
On another note I purchased a chinese 4 in 1 pole trimmer/chainsaw/edger/weed whacker for $450, as couldn't justify the $1800 for the Stihl system, well I sold that chinese junk 4 months later (1 month warranty) for $100 and was happy to see the end of it. If people think chines chainsaw are rubbish, they need to try these 4 in 1 pole trimmers. True crap.
Fitted a chinese no name piston and cylinder to a friends 660 a couple of years back, which has held up really well, it still has excellent compression and a ton of grunt, here in NZ a P/C kit for a 660 aftermarket runs about $180, genuine Stihl would no doubt be three times that.
Personally would never buy chinese filters, rubbers, gaskets, bearings or cranks...otherwise for the cost savings (especially here in NZ) their chains, clutches and plastics are great value.
