^I have Pagid pads now (PO replaced with OEM rotors and Pagid pads) and the dust isn't terrible, but could be better on the front wheels.

Was thinking about getting Centric coated rotors, and either Cool Carbon or a set of pads from Dave Z @ Zeckhausen, I believe I recalled that he recommended the Centric Posi-Quiet pads, they look like a decent OEM replacement pad. Wondering if anyone has tried them

Good choice on rotors!

I've used he akebonos on my BMWs in the past and I felt they were good pads and they do bite nicely once warmed up. Cold the oems bite harder. The reason I went with the carbotechs was to get better stopping power but without the dust and they do deliver. They run a Hybrid ceramic on the carbotech 1521. Very effective with cold bite and great once warmed up.

It may require a higher pedal force to achieve the same deceleration with ceramics, but I assure you that you can energize the ABS with them just like you can with the OEMs. And I find the hot braking performance more consistent with ceramics.

2002 X5 3.0 288,700 miles
2004 325i 123,000 miles

ok so this is my review of Centric High Carbon Alloy rotors and Cool Carbon pads.
Location: Canada on relatively maintained flat roads.
Weather: where cold can be extreme (but not so much when I just put them on this weekend)
Driving Habits: daily driver in stop and go city traffic for 90% of usage

thoughts: after 3 bedding in processes I'm still NOT a fan. yes they may produce less brake dust but personally I feel as if my vehicle is NOT stopping as fast/confidently as OE pads/rotors have and do. I WILL NOT buy these pads or rotors again and will be going back to OE pads/rotors.
the pads make me feel as they are NOT grabbing when I push my foot on brake pedal and I definitely miss the initial bite (stopping power) the OE pads/rotors have. it feels as if the pads have to heat up before actually considering the vehicle (and thats not good for city streets driving to me). So over the last day I've had to put foot on brake pedal gently as I still am driving to keep pads warm ESPECIALLY when I know I'm coming to a slow down/stop area.
if I could afford it I'd buy all new OE gear tomorrow and do this brake swap back to OE ASAP as I certainly do not feel as safe with these pads. And I know people will complain the OE make so much brake dust, but whats more important, instant stopping power (especially in emergency braking) or taking a few more minutes to wash your wheels? I'll wash the wheel thanks.

^Mike did you also do a brake flush at the time of install?

I'm sure the rotors are fine (Centric high carbon blanks) - sorry to hear you seem to be the first that isn't a fan of the Cool Carbon pads. I was considering them and appreciate the feedback - I may have to go with the pads Dave Z recommended (also made by Centric)

Hard to imagine someone being surprised by the difference in initial bite when the topic was discussed in detail.

Search for the Cool Carbon thread.

Here.......http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...rake-pads.html

So, anyone here uses "conventional" stuff like ATE, Pagid, Jurid?

I have use ATE and they work as designed....Good!

The ATE/OE pads do work good AS DESIGNED.

Unfortunately, that design required an abrasive compound that would "resurface" rusty brake rotors on vehicles that sit outside for weeks on end.

BMW would never put a rotor friendly pad compound on a production vehicle, the end result would be thousands of brake jobs on BMWs dime due to pulsing brakes.