To upgrade wii from 3.3 to 4.2 (or current) before or not?

If someone were to get started trying homebrew now (after following the scene for some time, not a total newb), what is the best system menu to start out at? I never upgraded my wii except for the very first time I used it over a year ago. It is still "3.3u." I was worried they might include too many anti-homebrew patches. Then I got busy and never installed the HBC until hopefully soon. I have twilight princess so I could do twilight hack as long as I don't update my system menu. However, is it better to upgrade my wii first (to 4.2 I assume still) and use bannerbomb? Would I not be able to play some newer games or have some bugfixes if I stay down at 3.3u?
On the other hand, is there more of a risk if I upgrade to 4.2 first or am I relatively safe since it is an older wii with the original boot0 etc...?
Is there a difference if I install HBC through bannerbomb/twilight on my 3.3u menu first, then upgrade to 4.2? Does that make it any "safer"?

Sorry for having to bug you all but I've read a lot of the different guides but I'm still not 100% clear on what the best option is.

Thanks all.

It really doesnt matter whether you update before or after installing homebrew.