The short answer is that you should be concerned about it because getting it wrong is an expensive business and a car may not look such good value if you have to drop a couple of grand to replace a knackered engine. BMW may help if the car has an fsh but getting goodwill gestures seems to be a bit hit and miss.
There have been quite a few threads over the past couple of months that go into lots of detail about it and it would be worth your while wading through them, but the attached web link is a very good summary. There are some checks you can make up front but these may not catch cars with wear that has started but is not too far advanced yet. Just because it has hit 100k doesn't meant that it won't rear its head, its primarily a product of how much high sulpher fuel its been exposed to and at what point in its life. Equally its not certain you will experience it, my 523 has close to 80k and its as tight as a ducks ar5e, not needing a top up between services.
Cars after week 10 production of 1998 have a steel bore block and will not experience the problem, but you need to check the built plate in the engine bay to be sure of when it was built. Also, many affected cars have had their engine replaced and if so then great. BMW Customer service car help identify if it has been replaced if you can get the chassis number (should be visible through the windscreen without needing to open the bonnet if you are browsing on a forecourt).
http://www.lestac.co.uk/bmw/nikasil.htm
Nikasil issue. Is it a big deal now?
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