Following is the reply I got when posting my questions on the Matthew's forum. The respondant says only certain years have the cam "spring back" issue......

It is not a hard job other than access issues.
The marks are faintly scribed unless someone has marked them before.
Once engine is turned where marks align with notches on underside of top plastic cover and the crank gear marks are on either side of pointer on oil pump housing, the gears will not fight you on a 2005. CVVT turbo engines for the first 3 years had springs that would fight you if you don't go past and then back engine up to mark alignment position. 2002 and later do not have the springs so don't fret that.
USE PAINT OR WHITE-OUT AND PLACE YOUR OWN MARKS! If you do this then your confidence will be far greater. You will know if YOUR marks are aligned when you're done. The factory marks on cams are often not perfectly aligned and when you're done you will have doubts. "hmmm, was that mark 1/2 tooth to left or right of that pointer notch when I started?"
When finished but before cover or serp belt is fitted, turn engine two revs and bring up the marks against notches and re-check. Then re-check tension. Often the belt will not have the same tension all way round and when you turn engine and equalize tension on belt the auto tensioner pointer will slip back from where you left it. Adjust if needed.