If you are VMC, there is little wrong with an "orbit". You have to be situationally aware. My compatriots in Germany regularly extended Flaps to 5 and kept the speed at 240 Kts. This seems like bad airmanship but it works a treat.
The speed brake and gear combo is way less effective on the -800W than say on the -300.
What was the BOAC incident?
Does Flap ware actually occur whislt operating within the Limitations?
