Brake pads Akebono or Hawk Performance

Akebono ceramic pads are pretty fantastic and low dust. EBC has a number of options. Don’t go out and buy some high performance spec pad and expect it to work on your daily driver. Some higher end pads meant for sport use are designed to be used such that they need to be heated up more for full performance. On a street car that’s not getting driven hard enough, the pads never heat up enough and you can get brake pad deposits on your rotors which ends up “feeling” like a warped rotor. TLDR: more expensive and higher performance isn’t always better for your application. Get the pad you need for your application.

I’d used hawk ceramic pads especially since you don’t plan on tracking the car. Low dust and will keep the wheels looking good between washes

I've heard good things about Akebono pads, but I'm curious how they compare to other options (Bosch QuietCast, PowerStop, Raybestos, etc.)

Put on all new pads and rotors after the last guy cheaper out, it’s a huge difference. Almost not brake dust and they have a good pedal feel.

They don't even squeal as much any more

Hawk DTC-60 pads are the best value performance pads I found. Stock blank rotors are fine, I upgraded to a 335i sport caliper set and its been more than sufficient for many track days

Given that and the new ceramic brake pads by Akebono and the car is now very quiet.

I like Akebono ceramics.

I recently did the Hawk 5.0 pads and they are lacking on initial bite. Bit disappointing. Much better for repeated breaking tho, as they warm up.

Yeah, akes are trash when it comes to braking in heat or heat cycling and have horrible fade even with slightly aggressive driving but they really do produce nearly zero dust.