I have a 2003 9-5 Aero with 203k+ miles. The valve cover was recently off while my mechanic (local independent Saab specialist) was working on an oil leak. He remarked at how clean and sludge-free everything looked. The oil leak turned out to be due to over pressurizing on account of one of the PCV hoses deteriorating and clogging up.
I've done 5k OCIs since the car was new, usually with Mobil 1 5W-40 TDT, but also Rotella 5W-40 and Syntec 5W-40 from time to time. I typically use PureOne filters of the regular size. I have also done AutoRX cleanings at 50k, 115k, and 165k. This has worked for me.
I am not entirely convinced of the cleaning properties of any particular oils, and I'm not sure what a handful of short OCIs would accomplish other than giving you an opportunity to cut up filters for inspection. If it wasn't starving from the build up on the pickup screen before, why would it start now that it's been cleaned up? I also don't think fooling around with the exhaust system is necessary - FWIW my car's exhaust is entirely original aside from the short flex pipe.
My vote would be to pick your preferred engine cleaning additive (AutoRX, LC20, Kreen, etc) and use according to the directions for a couple cleaning cycles. As noted I've used AutoRX in the past, not for any particular problem but as preventative maintenance on this sludge-prone engine. As I was not in a rush I went with AutoRX due to it's purported slow/safer cleaning action as alluded to by one of the other posters. I used 10W-40 conventional with shorter OCIs of 3k for the cleaning and rinse cycles.
jeff
