My first set of Akebono pads lasted over 160,000 miles. Replaced the rotors at the same time with Brembos from FCP Groton. I now have 192,000 miles on the rotors and 34,000 miles on my second set of Akebonos. No dust and no measuarable wear on the rotors. I painted all non friction surfaces on the rotors with good old Rustoleom silver paint when they were new and still don't have any rust showing.

The Akebonos don't have as much initial bite as the OEM pads, but total stopping power is the same as you can make the ABS kick in just fine on a panic stop. Never any wet weather or heat fade concerns with them.

2002 X5 3.0 261,000 miles
2004 325i 115,000 miles (also running Akebonos and Brembo)