Makita's most recent/final models- any known issues?

[SOS Ridgerider]

My 4300 is German, but I believe it was an early model.

That sounds right. The early 4300s were indeed assembled in Germany, and the later ones in China. Can’t remember when the switch was made.

 

[Wilhelm]

They are all Dolmar rebrands, so anything that applies to the Dolmar version would apply to the Makita version. As I remember:

EA4300 : Dolmar 431
EA5000 : Dolmar 510
EA6100 : Dolmar 6100
EA7900 : Dolmar 7910

Correction:
Makita EA4300 = Dolmar PS-420
Makita EA5000 = Dolmar PS-5105
the other two are correct

The newer EA7300/7900 (PS-7310/7910) do no longer have the oil pressure line issue, the hose got changed.

I own all the Makita saws listed by the OP, most in original Dolmar flavor, some as rebranded Makita (teal EA4300, red EA5000) - absolutely no notable issues with any of those units - although the EA4300 is quite new to me, so take my comment with a grain of caution.

 

[Wilhelm]

Are any of these spur drive and if so, how easy to convert? Thank you

ea 4300fr
ea5000pr
ea6100pr

EA4300 (PS-420) has a spur sprocket drum, can be converted to rim sprocket by swapping over the clutch drum from the EA5000 (PS-5105) and a certain distancing washer.

EA5000 & EA6100 feature rim sprocket drums.

 

[EchoShindaiwaMakitaDolmar]

About two hours ago I spoke to an independent Makita-Dolmar dealer who said they've moved away from Dolkita gas chainsaws over the last few years because of so many issues with carbs on 5000 series saws, and on the 64xx-79xx series saws- stated the solution was to replace the carbs with new Zamas from Zama. He said Makita never gave an answer as to the cause of the carb issues.

 

[FergusonTO35]

All the Dolmar dealers here switched to another brand when the line was fully rebranded Makita, which I think is quite telling. Congratulations Makita, you managed to go from a modest dealership presence in Kentucky to almost none at all.