The brake pads on our newly acquired R50 produce quite a lot of dust. The wheels are quite dirty, pretty quickly after washing, both front and rear.
Wondering if the OE MINI pads are this way, as I think that's what is on the car. They grab like my race car, so the braking is fantastic, however I'd like something that is a bit more clean operating (and likely longer-lasting).
Any suggestions? What pads in your experience have been a good balance of performance, longevity, and low dust?

 

Yeah. BMW likes their dusty pads. I’m running EBC redstuff, but I only have maybe 20k on them and have nothing else to compare to besides the stock pads.

I will say that the EBCs don't create much dust, and I haven't noticed any difference in performance from stock.

 

Akebono Euro ceramic pads are what you want

 

Sounds interesting.
I spent an exorbitant amount of time and effort refinishing my Mini S-Lites a little over a year ago. I've been running slotted rotors and "who knows what brand" brake pads which has made a mess of all my hard work.
I also thank you for the recommendations.
FCP Eruro doesn't list the Akebono Euro ceramics as fitment/compatible for a 1st Gen. Fitment states beginning '07 - '015 models.
Wondering if it is just an omission?

 

Don’t run EBC yellow pads. They dust really bad and I wipe the brake dust off every couple days. My rims will be a few shades darker after some dragon time.

 

I have used Akebono ceramics on other cars, was hoping that someone had experience with them here on a 1st gen. Will keep them on my short list. Current pads have a ways to go before replacing, unless the wheel cleaning drives me to make an early change.

 

I noticed a big difference in clean wheels with Akebono’s over the OEM pads. I did an R55S (R53 JCW) front brake upgrade with Akebono’s to my R53 so it might not be exactly feedback you’re looking for, but the initial bite is a lot less with the Akebono’s in my opinion. I was initially disappointed with this, but over time I decided I prefer easier modulation over grabby brakes.

 

I've got a bit more than 70K and a bunch more to go on a set of redstuff pads with no complaints. I don't use 'em as much for just slowing down like a lot of folks, I turn that over to cylinder compression most of the time.

 

Ceramic other than Akebono here. Something-something from Rock Auto. Big big difference in dust, still a little but not nearly the soot farm the fronts used to be.

 

Good input, thanks.