If you don't like seeing brake dust on your wheels, stick with a ceramic composite pad like the ProActs. I have them with the Centric rotors and you can't tell the factory alloys have any brake dust unless you run a finger through it. Same coefficient of friction as OEM without the mess, even though factory was also supposed to be ceramic, I think, but it's dusting was much worse.
I'm such a fan that I swapped my E46 convertible over to Akebono ceramics ASAP after I'd taken care of the neglected and way overdue maintenance items. Some will disagree, but I couldn't tell a difference in stopping power with the OEM pads (maybe the Akebono's need a little heat in them first). OTOH, the OEM BMW pads practically coated the wheels before you could hit the end of the driveway after washing.
I'm such a fan that I swapped my E46 convertible over to Akebono ceramics ASAP after I'd taken care of the neglected and way overdue maintenance items. Some will disagree, but I couldn't tell a difference in stopping power with the OEM pads (maybe the Akebono's need a little heat in them first). OTOH, the OEM BMW pads practically coated the wheels before you could hit the end of the driveway after washing.
