Stihl MS 500i owner opinions

[Matt81]

I am finding myself in need of a saw bigger than my Dolmar 7900 and obviously the 500i is a top contender due to the fantastic power to weight ratio. Used many Stihls but not owned many mainly due to circumstance.

Looking for 500i owners who have used them a lot for some feedback on their experience. Both private or professional ownership experiences are welcome.

Lots of talk about the filter letting in fine dust via the hole where the plastic filter attachment piece is. Also the AV system being weak and too easy to bottom out, especially when cutting with the top of the bar.

Seen many long term reviews where these have not even been mentioned and others that said it was a big deal. I know there are fixes for these issues but i'm not real keen on such an expensive saw that i need to modify myself to get it to work right for professional use.

 

[lone wolf]

I am finding myself in need of a saw bigger than my Dolmar 7900 and obviously the 500i is a top contender due to the fantastic power to weight ratio. Used many Stihls but not owned many mainly due to circumstance.

Looking for 500i owners who have used them a lot for some feedback on their experience. Both private or professional ownership experiences are welcome.

Lots of talk about the filter letting in fine dust via the hole where the plastic filter attachment piece is. Also the AV system being weak and too easy to bottom out, especially when cutting with the top of the bar.

Seen many long term reviews where these have not even been mentioned and others that said it was a big deal. I know there are fixes for these issues but i'm not real keen on such an expensive saw that i need to modify myself to get it to work right for professional use.

The 500I is the same size as your Dolmar 7900. The 500I has better throttle response. I have both, the 500I being lighter is an advantage.

 

[singinwoodwackr]

I am finding myself in need of a saw bigger than my Dolmar 7900 and obviously the 500i is a top contender due to the fantastic power to weight ratio. Used many Stihls but not owned many mainly due to circumstance.

Looking for 500i owners who have used them a lot for some feedback on their experience. Both private or professional ownership experiences are welcome.

Lots of talk about the filter letting in fine dust via the hole where the plastic filter attachment piece is. Also the AV system being weak and too easy to bottom out, especially when cutting with the top of the bar.

Seen many long term reviews where these have not even been mentioned and others that said it was a big deal. I know there are fixes for these issues but i'm not real keen on such an expensive saw that i need to modify myself to get it to work right for professional use.

How long a bar do you plan on?
The AV issue is dependent on that…long bars are too much for the stock suspension to absorb when used all the time. 28” and under don’t seem to be problematic. Mine, have had 2, sold the stock one, kept the ported) wears either a 24 or 28” but I have used a 36” when needed for a few cuts.
If you plan on 32/36 all the time go right to the 661.
The filter issue is an extremely easy fix.
Other than that, the 500 really needs a muffler mod, imo. The issue of overheating that has come up can be nearly eliminated by just opening the damn thing up. A few minutes with a Dremel on the OE exhaust hole is all you need.

That said, a good port job by one of the top guys here or on the other site can put your 7900 right up with a stock 500, imo.
But, then you’d still only have 1 saw and that’s just no fun at all…

 

[Chevboy0167]

Check out the Westcoast Saw new filter for the 500i....

https://westcoastsaw.com/products/500i-661-air-cleaner-system

 

[singinwoodwackr]

Check out the Westcoast Saw new filter for the 500i....

https://westcoastsaw.com/products/500i-661-air-cleaner-system

It is still an oiled filter which many users just don’t want to mess with.
I have a Max flo but have had oiled OE filters on my 066 for many years so am used to the maintenance needed.

Stihl needs to fix their dam filter, imo. All it takes is a little washer and a dab of silicone to keep it in place…done.

 

[huskihl]

You’d want to go at least to a 661 if you want a faster and bigger saw. The 500 and 7900 are within a few ounces of each other and cut almost exactly the same speed. Fan boys tout it as a ripper, awesome, best ever, greatest, baddest fastest saw ever made. But in the end it’s just a fuel injected 79cc saw that runs very similar to any carbureted 79cc saw. I think they’re just trying to justify the cost in their own head. And I’m not a brand loyalist. My two main firewood saws for the last 3 years are a 500i and a 346

 

[LarJea]

All I know as a homeowner is the 500i is the best saw I have ever used. Cutting wood doesn't seem like a chore anymore. So far, I haven't had any problems with fines getting past the filter and the filter cover still feels tight. The AV system has been good to go with a 28" ES light bar. I have cut 8+cords this past year using square filed chain and damn it's fast.

 

[Mad3400]

I've got 2 years on my 500, it has good power and light.

Hard on fuel, more than the 661, but maybe I'm just having more fun...

Torque isn't great, but will pull a 36 Bar in Seasoned Eucalyptus, just need to set the rakers accordingly.

The filter doesn't seem to be as big of an issue as many make it, but for the price it's valid.

Just clean the filter, At Least, after every day of use with compressed air.


Upgraded:

-Suspension
-Muffler Cover
-Air Filter Cover (more opened)


Depending on what you're cutting though, a 661 might be a better option.

Mad3400

 

[singinwoodwackr]

All I know as a homeowner is the 500i is the best saw I have ever used. Cutting wood doesn't seem like a chore anymore. So far, I haven't had any problems with fines getting past the filter and the filter cover still feels tight. The AV system has been good to go with a 28" ES light bar. I have cut 8+cords this past year using square filed chain and damn it's fast.

The lite bars make a huge difference. Over a pound on the 28.

 

[Squareground3691]

I am finding myself in need of a saw bigger than my Dolmar 7900 and obviously the 500i is a top contender due to the fantastic power to weight ratio. Used many Stihls but not owned many mainly due to circumstance.

Looking for 500i owners who have used them a lot for some feedback on their experience. Both private or professional ownership experiences are welcome.

Lots of talk about the filter letting in fine dust via the hole where the plastic filter attachment piece is. Also the AV system being weak and too easy to bottom out, especially when cutting with the top of the bar.

Seen many long term reviews where these have not even been mentioned and others that said it was a big deal. I know there are fixes for these issues but i'm not real keen on such an expensive saw that i need to modify myself to get it to work right for professional use.

Get ur 7900 ported, they become beastly, or go to bigger displacement as mentioned if required,

 

[SAWMIKAZE]

How long a bar do you plan on?
The AV issue is dependent on that…long bars are too much for the stock suspension to absorb when used all the time. 28” and under don’t seem to be problematic. Mine, have had 2, sold the stock one, kept the ported) wears either a 24 or 28” but I have used a 36” when needed for a few cuts.
If you plan on 32/36 all the time go right to the 661.
The filter issue is an extremely easy fix.
Other than that, the 500 really needs a muffler mod, imo. The issue of overheating that has come up can be nearly eliminated by just opening the damn thing up. A few minutes with a Dremel on the OE exhaust hole is all you need.

That said, a good port job by one of the top guys here or on the other site can put your 7900 right up with a stock 500, imo.
But, then you’d still only have 1 saw and that’s just no fun at all…

Oh my..a ported 7900 will TOAST a stock 500...the internet...I swear.

 

[Hermio]

I am finding myself in need of a saw bigger than my Dolmar 7900 and obviously the 500i is a top contender due to the fantastic power to weight ratio. Used many Stihls but not owned many mainly due to circumstance.

Looking for 500i owners who have used them a lot for some feedback on their experience. Both private or professional ownership experiences are welcome.

Lots of talk about the filter letting in fine dust via the hole where the plastic filter attachment piece is. Also the AV system being weak and too easy to bottom out, especially when cutting with the top of the bar.

Seen many long term reviews where these have not even been mentioned and others that said it was a big deal. I know there are fixes for these issues but i'm not real keen on such an expensive saw that i need to modify myself to get it to work right for professional use.

I have had my 500i for 3 years and have cut maybe 18 cords of wood with it plus some TSI work. Not really a long-term test but I am very happy with it. I don't have a problem with the anti-vibe, but I use it with a 20" and 25" bar. I have not had leakage of sawdust past the filter, but I hear that some Vaseline applied to the small gasket will stop it. There is a myth that the 500i is fuel-inefficient. That is probably because it goes through a tank of fuel faster than other saws with similar fuel tank size. But I had an MS441C that would run 45 minutes on a tank. My 500i runs about 35 minutes on a tankful, but cuts more wood in 35 minutes than the 441C did in 45 minutes. So, in terms of fuel used per unit of wood cut, the 500i is actually more efficient. My only complaint is that the saw usually stalls after 2-3 seconds of run time when first getting started. This may happen 2-3 times when cold. I think its computer may be slow to reset. Once it is warmed up, it starts in 1 pull.

 

[Marley5]

The tree service company that I work for part time recently bought the 500i.
It's the fastest cutting saw I've ever used but I certainly can't speak of it's longevity.

As an old retired guy who has way to many saws...... couldn't justify the cost.

 

[StihlsawuserMS361]

My .02. I've had my 500I over two years now. 25" bar/chain. I cautiously broke it in, using Stihl ultra oil, e free 93 fuel. I was ready to toss it only one time. That being when doing some light bucking, 8-10 " ash, it decided not to return to curb idle, but running fast enough to move the chain at a decent speed. I kept using it, about a half hour later it settled in.
As far as "fines", which I've been educated here, I usually clean the filter after each use. I inquired to Stihl about such, there comment was "not a concern". I think I may try the previously mentioned new WC saw filter.
Mine doesn't start as easy as I think it should, more so equivalent to my 361. Stalls at least once, usually a half dozen pulls before it starts and runs.
Fuel consumption, as others stated, may seem high, but I think with its speed, it evens out with wood cut.
I've been toying with a muffler mod, but cautious . Anyone offer suggestions, shy of a bark box or the like?
Would I buy another, if this one died? I'm not sure?