Other than it's overcomplicated, and trying to solve a problem that almost never exists, but it is what it is. If you read up a few messages in this thread, I was advised to ditch the rubber coated shims which was a genuine "duh" moment on my part, and the brake pedal feels like it ought to. I suspect there is a little more give in the system from having two more rubber lines than others, but otherwise it feels like any other euro car with ATE calipers in that respect.
I've run Volvo and now Mintex front pads, and Texter rears. Other than some noise that seems to be a "Volvo thing" they all work well. Textar are OEM on other euro cars, Mintex have proven to be decent in most applications, I was looking for something with a little more bite than the soft Volvo pads, and they are doing it thus far.

On the subject of the suspension, I'm 500 miles past when I first posted this or so, and I've noticed the car rolls and feels more squishy sometimes than others.
It's odd and I can't elaborate yet really, but it's there. It respond better to outright panic maneuvers than it does to "performance" maneuvers if that makes sense. It's still too soft and too wallowy overall, but it's better than an 86 Lincoln. I have ordered poly end link bushings to try and get the front sway bar to react slightly faster to cornering forces, and poly torque rod bushings and panhard rod bushes. The TAB's look alright as near as I can tell, and I have docs on them having been replaced once awhile back, but something is noisy on occasion in the rear, and either it's the tires or I swear the rear of the car wants to participate in steering some on occasion. I know it's a solid axle and all but it just does not seem right.

Updates after the parts are in and some more seat time.

I came within six inches of getting nailed by a semi today that rolled a ways into an intersection I was passing through, 35mph zone thankfully and a violent yank to the left saved the pass side of the car. I'd have been bummed...