Brake pads Akebono or Mintex

I just finished up putting on the front brakes off a 20th AE GTI, calipers, carriers, and lines with A8 rotors. My calipers were rusted to hell. With Akebono pads all around, turned rear rotors and fresh OE fluid, it stops waaaaaaay better than it did!!!

With some research I decided to order Akebono EUR1348. Just for the rear. I think the fronts are ok for now. I know the fronts usually wear out sooner, but I think they were originally replaced by the previous owner - just not the rears.

Upgrade Discs Front Drilled and Slotted hyperventilating of ECS 312mm Geomet Rear Drilled and Slotted Discs ECS Geomet Akebono Brake Pads front and rear

The stock pads on my 3.6 4-motion were made by Pagid and were very sensitive and dusty. I changed out the fronts only to Akebono Euro Ceramics and I like the feel much better. Plus, they don't dust at all.

For brakes I run Scirocco 10.1 fronts with Mintex red pads, MK3 200mm rear drums- i used to have to be careful when I ran 195/50/15's because of accidental lock, but it's much improved with the 205/50/15's (Toyo R1R's- best tire i've had).

Akebono Euro Ceramic has great cold bite, even in cold snowy weather. The downside? It lacks a "linear" feel.

All pads have been bed in right. I have Porterfield R4S on rear and Akebono Cermacis on front.

I've had Centric rotors and Akebono pads on my MINI Cooper S for almost two years now. Since then there has been 40,000 miles, 3 track days, and a season of auto cross. I'd say they perform on par or above with the OEM step. The pads are definitely a step up with less noise and hardly any brake dust.

I replaced the rears with Mintex pads and still I get more dust on the rear wheels, but not as much as the VW stock pads.

I upgraded to Mintex redbox pads and ATE Powerdiscs on the car (Golf GL). After about 1/2 year, the pedal started vibrating - warped discs, I assume. Also, the brakes seem to lock up relatively easily.