Wouldn't worry too much about the dipstick level, its perfectly normal to use a bit of oil over the space of 7000 ks (thanks to bore squirter's etc,) I was once told the high and low on a dipstick typically equates to about 700ml of oil, these engines take 5.7 to fill, so theres plenty left in the sump.
As far as blown engines, I only know of a handful in Aus that have gone, most of which had a common element, dont take msf as gospel, some of the "OMG it was completely stock" posts have a lot of deleted and hidden information (ahh mod powers), fully bolted engines, stupidly high boost, crazy lean afr's and oil with the consistency of water will do that for you. I have even read of guys using leaf blowers to blow oil through all their stock engine parts, before refitting them to their cars to claim engine warranty.
The turbo seal issue, wasn't so much the quality of the seal, it was the machining of the housing, and its a lottery, it is usually highlighted with mods, and loads of cars that have been left stock wouldn't know the difference.
If you are going to mod, just be sensible about it.
Nearly all men can stand adversity. But if you want to test a man's character - give him power.
Abraham Lincoln