Very happy with Hope from an original C2 and XC4 to M4’s on al our bikes… found that the following combo is best for me:
Phenolic pistons
Synthetic fluid
A thinner and flexible Goodridge hose
EBC Sintered if possible, they have a grove in the pad and work better IMHO than non grooved. (I cut groves in superstar pads for this reason.
205 floating front, 160 floating rear.
I never if possible turn them upside down as they are an “open” system.
Alps, uk, North Africa. Utterly reliable and simple to bleed. No siringes, just the fluid in a bottle and a bit of pipe to fit on the caliper… Even worked with Citroen suspension fluid on one trip to Morocco. M4 use a similar pad shape as Shimano which helps availability too.
End of the day, you pay your money etc etc.