Mods forum here:
http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/forumdisplay.php?f=219
Popular Mods
http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=155786
Another forum for SH4 mods.
http://www.silenthuntermods.com/foru....php?board=5.0
Those are the places I'll look at for mods. Since you haven't mentioned a specific mod or description of the mod there isn't much chance anyone here can guess what you're looking for. Those links should get you going.
As for the OPs question I like SH4 a huge part for the graphics. I like the eye candy (except for a few minor things). I think the game runs smooth and I can get up and playing in a couple minutes without waiting for load times. Never had an issue with saves either. Game has only crashed (so far) when I screwed up a mod order so it was pretty much my fault. My 2cents.