pjc is incorrect is this statement, "For replacement pads, you have basically three choices:
- Asbestos (old school): softest, which means shortest lifespan but least wear on rotors; tend to generate a lot of brake dust, making alloy wheels dirty; least expensive."

Asbestos has been banned for years. So don't react negatively to this. Also, you have to think about whether "old school" means anything. In other words, there must be a reason that Mercedes Benz elects to use a softer brake pad versus a semi-metallic brake pad. I think that reason has to do with what you want the brakes to do in an emergency stop. You want them to stop the car quickly even if the brake pads are cold. Mercedes brake systems are designed for 150 mph autobahns. They are way more than adequate for our road conditions. If semi-metallic pads were so wonderful, they would use them.

The use of the term "better stopping power" in the description of sem-metallic pads is also suspect. It is no doubt true in conditions like racing, or braking down a long mountain road, but this may not be the most important type of stopping you need to do.

So I would say, why second guess the factory? Use one of their brand pads, or use Yellow box Textars or Pagid. There are many many posts on this forum and others about brake pads.

Steve