What's a good way to lesson the "grabby" nature of the brakes?
 

Of any car I've owned, these brakes grab noticably when first engaged, sometimes even when pushed softly. What's the best way to make them behave better? I know nothing about brake systems.

Thanks!

The BMW pads on the R56 are in their own right good brake pads. You're probably used to the garbage they put on other passenger cars that don't nearly have the bite the OEM R56 brake pads have. From your signature, it looks like you are new to the MINI brand. After a while, you'll get used to the feel of the brakes and love it, maybe even want a pad with even more bite! Trust me.

Well that's a positive take on it, indeed! I think they are great brakes, but they feel a little hypersensitive to me.

I bought a set of Carbotech pads. Not put them on yet, but the recommendation was to help with modulation. I was going to do Hawk HPS as I loved them on my RSX, but it was suggested they don't work as well as the CT.
I totally disagree with them being "good" vs garbage. If you need to hit the brakes quickly, but lightly, they are grabby and very hard to modulate. Fine under hard braking.

After I get my car back from the 15K checkup on Monday, I wil put them on.

Yes, tvrgeek, I agree with you; there's a lot of jerking going on with the brakes right now under light braking. Let us know how the new brake pads feel.

Learn to drive? No, you will get used to them.

That is the moral of the story. Pedal finesse is learned over time. If my wife is comfortable with my on-highway braking then the OEM pads must not be that bad :)

While I agree that extra finesse is necessary with these brakes, I have driven cars like the BMW 335is, Porsche 911 Turbo, and others (not owned, just driven). These cars did not have the extra grabby nature of my MINI under light braking. I can and do adjust for it but would personally prefer what TVRGEEK is referring to. It's just personal preference and an individual car thing, methinks.

The OEM MINI brakes do have something of an on/off feel. My wife's VW has the same thing. You will get used to it.

After about a year I changed over to CarboTech Bobcat pads -- not because of the feel, I got used to that -- but because I started tracking the car. They have the feel that it sounds like you prefer. Contact Dustin at http://www.autoxcooper.com/

Now, when I drive the wife's VW, the first 2 or 3 times I brake I practically fly through the windshield!

Sure, you can get used to it; but why? Why not go for pads that give better modulation and less dust while you are at it?
I do not understand many of the Mini owners accepting things that should be better in the 21st century. We accept a lot of short comings from our classic or hand built cars, but there is no reason to accept this on a new mass production car. ( I did not have grabby brakes on any of my old cars actually)

Dealer checkup on Monday, then I'll put in my pads.

I switched my 2010 Clubman S pads after 7000 miles, I just got tired of the brake dust. Wasn't much concerned about the grabby-ness.

I changed them to EBC Redstuff pads from Way Motor Works.

#1 FAR less brake dust and easier to clean
#2 I immediately noticed they were not as grabby
#3 I also noticed that they flat out stop on a dime!!

Very smooth, but do their job when you need them to.

I highly recommend them. I have heard good things about the carbotech and Hawk.

I agree.

Thanks for the suggestions, everyone. Do new break pads void any other part of the warranty beside the brake pads themselves?