<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size="2">The biggest killer of engines is engineers</font>
With this, I completely agree. The only engine(s) I have ever lost on a Baron were down to a fundamental maintenance error. (Wrong Piston Ring Fitted)
To avoid any doubt though, my comments related not specifically to counter-weights or RPM, but to the general proposition that large Continentals can be treated harshly without biting back.
CHTs (to name but one factor) need to be watched very carefully if you prefer your Cylinder Heads whole! This is a feature that Contentals are notorious for.
I would also re-emphasise that the Baron 58 can be managed superbly on approach (and at most other stages of flight), without the need to give the engines a hard time.
-2Donkeys