MINI Maintenance and Repairs

Has anyone had experience with the timing chain replacement on their Mini? I've heard it's a nightmare but want to know if it's really that bad and what to expect. Any horror stories or positive experiences would be appreciated!

I've had my Cooper S for 3 years now and I've learned that regular maintenance is key. I try to follow the recommended schedule as outlined in the owner's manual as closely as possible, but also keep an eye on the car myself between visits to the dealership. I recently replaced the spark plugs and air filter at around 60k miles, which seemed to give a noticeable boost in performance. Has anyone else had similar experiences with routine maintenance? Are there any specific issues or tips you'd like to share for keeping our MINIs running well?

Just performed an oil change on my '07 Cooper S and noticed the manual doesn't specifically mention using synthetic oil. Has anyone else had to consult a separate source or experience similar issues with maintenance guidance in their MINI?