Brake Pad Suggestions?

[Manolito]

The wifemobile ('04 330i) is on its second set of front pads (dealer) and just wore through its original rear pads. The car is driven to work by a fifty-something year-old school teacher. No spirited driving, but she is likely to ride the brake down a downhill grade, and if she ever had brake fade, she would panic.

I would like to have:
1) Less initial bite and a more progressive feel.
2) High resistance to fade at highway speeds
3) Less dust
4) Little or no noise
5) Reasonably rotor friendly.

I am reading a lot of contradictory opinions on the various reviews on the web.
I will change out all four corners unless I give up and stick with the dusty BMW branded pads.
Right now my two top candidates are
Axxis Deluxe Advanced
Akebono EURO Ceramic

Anyone had experience with these, or with other pads that they liked?

Thanks!

[Chet]

I have the Axxis Deluxe Advanced, little or no brake dust but weak in braking power compared to OEM. I'm gonna have to suck it up for now since I already got them on. Got them like for awhile now.

[Manolito]

So since I feel that BMW pads have too much initial grab and not enough feel, would you say that I might like these, or that they are way too much of a change and I need to find something in between?

[Chet]

If you think BMW OEM has too much initial grab then I think these will be good for you.

[UberMeister]

how bout Hawk HPS pads

[Manolito]

I ordered Axxis for front and rear so that braking will be balanced. I will report back in a few weeks.

[Manolito]

I posted pictures of the whole process on another forum and am too lazy to redo it here, so if anyone would like to see it:
2004 Brake Pad Replacement - Pelican Parts Technical BBS

We seated them in per the instructions on the box. They make no noise at all so far. The wife says that they drive just fine, and is looking forward to cleaner rims.

[Manolito]

Feedback on Axis Deluxe Advanced Pads - we did a 600 mile weekend trip to drop off a kid at college.

Coming back I noticed a very slight squeak under light braking when pulling into parking spots a couple of times. Hardly perceptible. Since I did not refinish or replace my rotors, I should not expect perfection.

There is some dust. Two weeks after washing, the wheels are the dirtiest part of the car, but they are much better looking than they would have been with the BMW pads after two weeks.

Pedal pressure is about 25% greater than previously, which is just what I was looking for. There is no surprising 'grab' when you first touch the pedal as there was before. We never really heated them up, so I cannot comment on hot performance.

In summary, I am well pleased so far.

[TheTunerSource]

Ferrodo makes the best brake pads that money can buy!