Peter, a Brembo caliper is a much more premium product than a normal 1 (big) pot ultra heavy steel one. Also I wouldn't class them as a high maintenance product (getting the pins out and grease them once per year is not that bad) but yes, they do need more maintenance than a normal caliper.
Brembo is aluminium (better heat dissipation), much lighter and 4 pots as you well know. The initial bite of a normal steel caliper might be absolutely spot on - if not better than the kind of spongy feeling you get with Brembos - but after repeatable stops and abuse the brembo shine over the steel ones. Of course this is why they are fitted on the racers.
Now for someone who does not usually abuse their brakes the above says nothing, but for someone who is about to use the car as intended it plays a significant role.