I haven't used the Centric pads, but I have dealt with Zeckhausen on three brake jobs and trust Dave's judgement. Great service. I typically used Axxis Deluxe.

As you note above, it is certainly possible to change out pads for ones with equal performance (pedal feel, initial bite), longer pad and rotor life, and virtually no dust. The trade off that I made for those improvements was 10% more noise on cold pads. My calipers on the X5, 535, etc, performed very well with aftermarket pads. The 535 got them within a few hundred km of new, as I had the M-Sport wheels that made cleaning a chore. The X5 got them at 30,000 km, and they still had good life left (as did the rotors) at 72,000 km when I sold it.

BMW's choice of pad material has a lot to do with reducing warranty complaints for brake squeal. A noble goal, but I prefer no dust. It isn't a badge of honour. If they didn't add the carbon black in to the pad mix as a filler, you wouldn't even see the dust.

Try them and let us know how they work.

__________________
2007 X3 3.0si, 6 MT, Premium, White

Retired:
2008 535i, 6 MT, M Sport, Premium, Space Grey
2003 X5 3.0 Steptronic, Premium, Titanium Silver
2002 325xi 5 MT, Steel Grey
2004 Z4 3.0 Premium, Sport, SMG, Maldives Blue