Why is the brake dust on MBs darker
 

and more plentiful than other cars?

I just bought some 'brake dust repellant'....90% chance it's snake oil.

Likely because MB uses softer pads OE so increase brake feel and preformance. This means more dust which has the appearance of being darker.

It's actually because the brake dust is darker in color. The OEM brake pad formulation of all german cars has a higher synthetic graphite content than other makes, that is why you get blacker wheels on BMW, Mercedes, Audi, etc than other cars.

Will using a lighter pad harm performance? Does anyone make one?

Do a search, you'll find almost as much info on the subject as you will oil and coolant threads.

If you want a good performing pad with less dust, look into a set of Porterfield pads.

All German cars tend to do it, just wash the front wheel more often.

Good advice. Just wash when disk is cold; will warp when hot.

Brake pad dust in our 2002 Volvo V70 is as plentiful as in my Benzes, past and current, just as plentiful and even "stickier."

It takes my wheel 2 days for the brake dust to start showing!

there exists an FMVSS that sets a maximum pedal pressure requirement to bring a vehicle to a stop without its engine running (loss of vacuum assist). Therefore, cars sent to NAmerica tend to have softer pads to meet this standard.

FWIW, I have found lo-dusting or dustless pads to be an excellent alternative to "OE" pads.

Not the case, not at all. I've been using the Michelin product for 6 months or so...it certainly does work. The wheels still get dirty but it takes MUCH longer.

Yep, I just wash my wheels every 1-2 days. What can you do, if you want your car perfectly clean you just have to wash them!:D

I switched to PBR (Axxis) Deluxe pads, and the dust is greatly reduced. I also tried Awesome cleaner, from the Dollar store. It cleans the old stuff off amazingly well and it costs about a buck a bottle.

Do these aftermarket pads perform as well? Do they cause increased rotor wear?