Craig,

Everybody has an opinion on brake pads....like people do with car
wax..(!?!)..but let me make just two remarks:

1.  A good number of years back, we had a portion of the braking
material crack off a pad of our sport-class road racing car.  With few
options, we ran to the closest discount store, got a set of
"Performance Friction" pads, and ran them for the closing practice
session and the entire next day.  While not replacements for the Hawks
we were supposed to be running, my brother (driver of said car) was so
impressed with their performance that he advised putting them on the
hauler and our daily drivers -- very progressive feel with no heat fade
and no squeal.  I must have installed a couple dozen over the years,
with nary a complaint -- save for the fact that I think they've made
them slightly less aggressive over the years, and you quickly get used
to a hair less response when dead cold.  I drive like a real jerk when
I can, and I've gotten years out of sets.  Even on contractor's trucks,
I only had the chance to warrantee two pair (lifetime warrantee - worn
to spec) -- the boss's truck and the service truck.

2.  I don't have many beefs about the Chinese rotors (and I'm currently
running a pair), but on German cars that utilize a tapered retention
screw, I've seen them crack at that spot.  With no dimensional
difference, I think we're seeing the reality of a lesser alloy.  In
addition, each set I've seen lately has been sold with a "turned"
surface -- where you have to take an abrasive disc and give it a
non-directional finish.  No big deal if you have the equipment and
don't mind doing so, but it is one extra step.  If you look at the big
name brand, you'll see that they do indeed give the braking surface a
superior finish -- one that you feel immediately at the pedal if you
don't resurface the cheap stuff.

Caveat emptor -- Jon