Beedub, where are you doing your oil analysis'? You see lots of guys in the US using blackstone but is there a recommended place to do it in the uk?
As we're talking issues, let's not forget the occasional problems we see with oil starvation to the top end resulting in worn cams and followers!
A rare one compared to the vanos perhaps but a potentially expensive one.
As for the bearings and vanos not being that major, no, i guess they're not if you know what to look for and catch it in time. However if either goes unexpectedly you could be facing a big bill and lets face it, incorrect tolerances, shearing bolts and hubs just shouldn't happen on a premium car/engine.
Still, what are the options....Porsche and their scoring and IMS issues or perhaps a TVR (god I'd love a T350c, but I'd be forever worrying and that would spoil it for me)
Anyway, your car looks nice Simon, hope you can still enjoy it with all these tales of impending doom!
weird as the M3 has almost no issues, well bar people in the US as always. Not seen many Z4Ms having the issue over here, but a couple. Trouble is you never know how the car has been treated, so ragged from cold, track days time and time again, and not being warmed up properly. Incorrect oil from idiot garages. The list is endless, though with everything, it could go wrong. Let's face it, a used S54 is peanuts now anyway so just enjoy it 
complete kudos
