Ticking Noise- Spun Bearing?

I just got an '02 M3 for a summer car. Bone stock from a used car dealer. About 80K on the clock, the last thousand were me. It just started this ticking noise, which brought me here, and also sent me to BMW of Mount Laurel, NJ. The noise sounds like the ticking noise I've heard by watching a number of vanos and valve related videos. Ticking that accelerates, but doesn't seem to get louder, with RPM or load. So I brought it into the dealership, and they thought it was the valve lifters, so they did a valve job and some other sh*t that cost about $2,500. Had that fixed it, I wouldn't be posting.



So I picked it up Friday afternoon, and brought it back to them Monday morning, and they're now telling me they think it's either a rod or spun bearing, because they think it's further back than the vanos. I'm under the impression the "service adviser" has no freaking clue what he's talking about. They're saying I need to replace the motor, but they haven't even dropped the oil pan to even finally diagnose the issue. The motor runs fine (for now) and doesn't seem to have any power loss or issues other than this ticking noise. One last clue, the oil light stays on for about 20 Seconds longer than the other indicator lights after every start-up, even just after an oil change at the dealer.



Any other suggestions or solutions others have had to this problem would be much appreciated. I can't imagine you have to replace the motor because of a bad bearing unless it's blown something else, correct? Had it blown something else, I can't imagine the engine performance would seem fine. Again, new to BMW so looking for ideas.



Thanks.