My F10 came with ceramic pads (a silent switchover by the factory when the F series was released). Yep - much cleaner. But I found the bite and progressive increases brake torque lacking compared to the old school OEM dusty compounds. When my F10 needed brakes I went out of my way to find "old OE" dusty semi-metallics and did not want "new OE" ceramics. It wasn't night and day, but bite and progressive brake feel is improved. Both compounds stop the car, neither was unsafe, but if a moderate stop suddenly becomes an emergency stop when push comes to shove I have found the semi-metallics give more confidence (greater increase in brake torque for a given increase in pedal pressure) and work better. On my bed-in run I said "Now THAT's more like it" to myself. Unfortunately the wheels are dirty after a drive around the block.
For what it's worth, F30 M Performance and M Sport brake packages specifically spec "old OE" semi-metallic compounds, so does the F10 M5. What does that tell you? BMW does a better job outlining the various compound options on the 3 series. On the non-M 5 series I think you're just not supposed to take note, or have any fun driving.
So - do YOU like driving dynamics and the odd spirited run, or do you use your E90 to get from point A to point B and like clean wheels? Even though my E90 pre-LCI 328i had the smallest brakes of any of the German cars I've had, it had almost the best feel and performance (second only to a 4-piston fixed caliper Porsche set up). I noticed a decrease in braking performance and an dramatic increase in cleanliness going to ceramic. Whether it's right for you depends on what kind of driver you are - many might not even notice the difference at all.