Brake pads Akebono or Ferodo

The Akebono did perform well and showed minimal brake dust.

I bought Akebono pads and Centric rotors on Amazon. Best combination in my opinion. Akebono Pro ACT pads are ceramic and last a very long time with hardly any dust and super quiet. Made in the USA too.

Akebono Euro Ceramics all around and they're fantastic.

I did my rear brakes with them and have no complaints. Stops fine, no noise, little brake dust.

Ds2500 are at least oem dust level from what I've heard but better performance and they do squeak a bit.

Replaced my pads and rotors about a year ago. Went with some steel slotted rotors and Ferodo DS2500 pads, for a total of probably less than $1000 all around. The Ferodo pads are much more linear/progressive in feel, whereas in my opinion the OEM pads had way too much initial bite and were too grabby, which is less than ideal when you're trying to be smooth. Additionally, the ferodo pads hold out far longer on the track before fading, while still handling adequately for daily driving (including in the winter).

I'm using Ferodo DS2500. Good pad for both road and track duty.

Made a few sensible tweaks to this car immediately, at like 300 miles (nothing heavy), one of which was Akebono pads. Third VW I've had these on; they're great -- about as close to zero dust as I think you can get, seem to work a bit better and last a bit longer than the OEM pieces.

I am very happy with Ferodo's DS2500 pads. I also prefer not to swap pads and just run one set that works for both street and track. I participate in autoX and HPDE events - mostly the latter this year. The Ferodo pads have great initial bite when cold, perform well when hot, and seem to be easy on rotors

My stock rear brakes never made any noise. Recently replaced rotors and pads - went with Akebono Euro Ceramic - and now have the same "clunk" you describe. Usually only first thing in the morning when I back out of my driveway and then roll forward and brake.