Probably your O2 sensor, but your check engine light would go on if it were blown. The O2 sensor only goes into effect when the engine is warmed up, so it makes sense.
As for the pinging and such, I'd say its normal and just the sounds of everything moving.
M30 will sound much deeper than an M50 when revving because of the liter difference in displacement. M50 should sound more "race-like" though, tough to explain, just sounds happier.