Having just done the front pads on my car, I would caution you about "mashing" the brakes right after installing new pads. A couple of very experienced techs have told me the best way to break in new pads is to make about 10 SMOOTH, EASY stops from 35-40 mph, giving the pads/rotors time to cool down between each stop. If they are not broken in carefully, the new pads will develop burned and hardened areas where the high spots on the rotors make contact with the pads, and will significantly shorten brake pad life and alter the "feel" of the brakes. (I know this from experience, having only gotten 12K miles on a set of front pads once, but getting 25K from the last set.)

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Steve
'93 400E