Brake pads Textar or Bosch

Depending on the tier of pads Autozone does source from Bosch. The big benefit to Autozone is that you only pay once as they do a lifetime warranty and it covers wear. I have their most expensive pads on my car and have replaced them twice a year for 5 years now.

I've been running Bosch pads for about 12 years now never an issue on any make or model.

Ceramic pads Bosch Quietcast BC1047 or Wagner OEX for longevity, cleaner wheels and reduced stopping distance when warmed up.

I got a nice upgraded pad and rotor kit (all 4) for around $340. If you already have a set of wrenches, you can probably just do the job yourself; so many youtube tutorials. I did a full brake job on my other car for the first time ever so bought all the tools needed (maybe $150 worth) - wrench set, torque wrench, breaker bar, wire brushes, grease, brakleen spray - and still very much under what I would have spent at a mechanic. If you have the space and time, it's really not that bad and can actually be enjoyable with some beer and tunes. Would never go to the dealer for something like that unless I had money to burn.

I've got an alltrack (same brakes as the standard gti) and I've got ate rotors from fcp with bosch quietcast pads from rock auto. I was just looking for stock replacement and they have 10k miles on them so far with no complaints.

Looking at the choices available for yours, good pads that won't break a budget I'd go with Bosch QuietCast.

Keep it stock. VW went to lotsa trouble to pick out the pads for your car. FWIW I still uses OEM Textar pads on my E46 M3 vert.

I replaced mine with Textar epad ceramic pads and Zimmerman rotors and I have been satisfied so far. There is slightly less bite with a ceramic pad vs OEM but also has much less dust.

I have good experience with Textar pads, both epad and normal ones. Currently I have ATE rotors, but they had to be resurfaced because of warping, so no recommendation from me

Textar pads are OEM I believe. My advice is just avoid brembo pads. Mine create so much dust my wheels look awful a day after being cleaned