Brake pads Carbotech or OEM BMW

My dealer charges about $1100 for rear brakes and rotors, and about $1200 for front brakes and rotors, so $2300ish total. I got all pads and rotors done at a local shop for about $1100, and transmission fluid (+ pan and filter) done for $750 at the same shop.

I have a ~375whp WRX about the same weight as your car and am running Carbotech XP10 / G-loc R10 (they're the same pads) and have had no fade.When I installed my front bbk I ran the Stoptech sport pads and they were not enough, swapped to the R10s and had zero brake issues all day.

I installed Carbotech XP10 brake pads in the front, and they seem to work really well. When I drive the car, it will squeal sometimes when I’m not even pressing the brakes - when this happens, I can make it stop with any pressure on the brakes. I like the idea of keeping these brakes in because I like the added stopping power, and I like being ready for the track at all times.

A common brake upgrade to the E34 5 series was to install E38 (7 series) brakes. Only downside is you also have to install larger wheels.

Carbotech 1521 or G-Loc GS1 (same compound). Same stopping power as stock but much more progressive, don't have that really harsh initial bite the stock ones have and make way less dust. 10/10

I recommend Carbotech Pads, and no I'm not affiliated with the company, but for my street pads, I only run them on my vehicles. Drastically reduced brake dust, didn't notice any loss of performance or increase in heat from spirited driving.

I love the Carbotech 1521 pads on my E60 M5. Excellent bite and modulation, never gotten fade when bombing around mountain roads, and significantly less dust than the stock Textar pads. Not zero dust, but I'd say 80% - 90% less.

My understanding is the OEM brakes have well-rounded performance. In spider chart terms, it would look like a round pizza with one slice taken off, and that would be due to dust. They still excel with high performance, solid longevity all at a reasonable cost

BMW OEM pads have done that for decades as far as I can tell. Just get aftermarket pads and you'll get the same performance with less mess.

But seriously, having owned several BMW's and Porsche products (equally bad for brake dust) I've just gotten used to cleaning wheels more often and ignoring dirty wheels when I don't have time or energy to clean them that day.