2018 vs 2019 Yamaha Quietech
 

Anyone know the main differences between 2018 vs 2019 Yamaha Quietech ?
thanks.

If I recall correctly, somewhere in that time frame Yamaha changed from a traditional drum brake to WET brakes built into the differential and as I recall there were significant problems with these, and they are very expensive to repair. Check the brake system and if these are the wet brakes, IMHO stay away.

So a 2018 is safer bet ?

I believe all Quiet Techs have drum brakes. I’m pretty sure the wet brakes were in the 2014 and earlier EFI’s that have what is referred to as the team axles. My 2014 EFI has wet brakes. They are very good and trouble free as long as the transmission fluid is frequently changed with a quality friction modified transmission fluid, which is used to lubricant the wet brakes. If that fluid isn’t changed, then it’s an expensive failure.

My 2017 has traditional drum brakes, as I mentioned I do NOT recall exactly when the wet brakes appeared, so sorry if I have the years mixed up.

OP, do a search on this item I cannot answer your question on 2018 versus 2019.

No difference from 18 to 19....all the same
I'll also jump in on the 07-14 wet brake system....it was a very good system, no issues. Hate to see a good system get thrown under the bus for no reason, I'm not sure where that was a bad system is coming from.

Probably from here:

My manual wants me to replace the transmission fluid every four years. It's getting close so I'll have to think about doing that. However, one thing I won't have to worry about is finding a "quality friction modified transmission fluid" to avoid an expensive failure.

Unless that warning is incorrect and that braking system can handle some missed maintenance intervals.

With the wet brakes, the need to change the transmission fluid is based more on mileage than time. The metallic fragments from using the wet brakes gets suspended in the fluid and decreases its effectiveness over time as the fragments accumulate. I recently changed the transmission fluid in both our Yamahas after two years. The fluid in the cart with drum brakes was totally clean and didn’t need changing at all. The fluid in the cart with wet brakes (which takes over twice the volume of fluid and requires friction modified fluid) was noticeably cloudy and ready to be replaced. Going forward, I’ll change the fluid on the wet brake cart every two years just to be safe. The other cart can easily go several years between changes.

I owned a 2012 with wet brake. Keep it for 30K+ miles. Eventually the brake disc needed to be changed from normal wear. This required the transaxle to be removed and the case split open to gain access. Very expensive repair. Some of my friends with the same system had the half shaft in the trans axle fail. Again very expensive repair if you could get the parts. I would avoid buying an used one of these because of these issues. Yamaha went back to drum brakes when quiet tech came out. The newer carts are also slower which requires less brake because they reduced the HP/performance. I believe 2015 +-1 one year was the first one with drum brakes.

There is no difference between the 18 and 19 Quiettech carts. As said previously the wet brakes are expensive to replace and since Schaffer is no longer in business the parts will get more expensive. Just remember that these are golf carts and we're designed for courses not what we do here.

I have a 2009 Yamaha, with a wet brake, and no mus, no fuss, no issues at all. The owner’s manual says it will last the life of the cart. Thus far it has.

Ohiobuckeye
 

The only thing I can say is the 2019 might be a little more money, we had a 2018 & the 2019’s rode, drove & look the same. I would look at something that had low miles!

I knew it was said there, but coming from what original source? Info being passed along by the un informed is not good. Checking the differential is part of any good service, both on the old cars and the new cars. Its a simple check and easy to tell if it needs changed.
Anyone who has had the brake system changed i would question the accuracy of the diagnosis. Ive heard of places changing the brake system out but they did it for the wrong reason, have even seen carts that they said the brake system had been changed but obviously had not been.

Thanks everyone !!!

The main differences between the 2018 and 2019 Yamaha Quietech are the suspension and brake systems:
2018 Yamaha Quietech: Features the industry's first Independent Rear Suspension on a golf cart.
2019 Yamaha Quietech: Features an automotive-style strut suspension.