SNS3Guppy, I know there are 'real' pilots around who probably have landed aircraft without any wings attached, flown through flack, and rescue little orphans from burning rooftops on a weekly basis. Won't stop any mortals for yelling mayday the moment their engine surges. I can see the point you make, it is a valid one in the grand scheme of things. But every pilot has to make his own decisions I think, based on the situation at hand, experience, co-operation of ATC etc. etc.
If you have the means available to be on the ground ASAP, and one of those means is a mayday call, then that's what you should use. (And again, of course you do not bust minima for one pax).