Akebono has their famous ProACT pads for most American and Asian cars, and their Euro Ultra line for European cars.
But some cars seem to have both pads available for the same application, though it's possible that the Euro line is relatively new, or that Akebono switched some applications from one to the other.
In particular, I'm looking at pads for the Saturn L-series (Opel Vectra), and the Saab 9-3 and 9-5 built off that platform, and the NG900. The FMSI number is D819, but Akebono uses the number 800. That is, the part numbers of the ProACT pads are ACT800, and the Euro pads are EUR800.
Anyway, Akebono lists the Euro pads for this application. Shopping for the EUR800 in a regular parts store (Napa, AAP/CQ, and Pep Boys), they are about $100. Online, places like Amazon, Rock Auto, and Tire Rack have them in the $60 range.
But I saw a listing on eBay for the older ProACT pads, at a price of $30. FAR less than the Euro pads anywhere. They were made on April 18, 2011. The friction rating is FF.
Is there any meaningful difference between the two? Or was is just a rebrand/renaming of the same pads? Because $30 is a great price for Akebono pads!
But some cars seem to have both pads available for the same application, though it's possible that the Euro line is relatively new, or that Akebono switched some applications from one to the other.
In particular, I'm looking at pads for the Saturn L-series (Opel Vectra), and the Saab 9-3 and 9-5 built off that platform, and the NG900. The FMSI number is D819, but Akebono uses the number 800. That is, the part numbers of the ProACT pads are ACT800, and the Euro pads are EUR800.
Anyway, Akebono lists the Euro pads for this application. Shopping for the EUR800 in a regular parts store (Napa, AAP/CQ, and Pep Boys), they are about $100. Online, places like Amazon, Rock Auto, and Tire Rack have them in the $60 range.
But I saw a listing on eBay for the older ProACT pads, at a price of $30. FAR less than the Euro pads anywhere. They were made on April 18, 2011. The friction rating is FF.
Is there any meaningful difference between the two? Or was is just a rebrand/renaming of the same pads? Because $30 is a great price for Akebono pads!