I wont claim I am an expert on filters, but I service a few cars and cut apart every filter after its used.
Personally, I settled on Wix filters, also available as Napa Gold. You can get them at reasonable prices at RockAuto.
In regards to Honda filters, A01 is solid stuff, A02 is nearly same as basic Fram, except for better anti drainback valve.
K&N and Mobil 1 are literally the same filter inside. The K&N goofy useless hex on top does nothing to help in removal
of the filter, but I have seen pics of the weld spots rusting.
But aside from that, either one is a solid filter, however more expensive. I only get them on oil special deals.
Fram Ultra is also great filter with solid construction but also more expensive than Wix, not so with two lower level FRAMs.
Whoever said Mann, boy, you can't be more wrong making a blanket statement like that.
Mann has euro filters with are top notch, and I use them all the time for Eurotrash I service, but then they also make basic filters, which are nothing but relabeled purolator garbage. Mann owns purolator.
Purolator is currently my number 1 garbage choice. More often than not, Purolator filter I open up will have rips and collapsed
pleats around the crimp on the paper element. I call them Tearlators.
