Ahh, the 'wonderful' built-in collision detection. Likewise, I've never got it to work properly - only polygon collision running at about 3fps. I've never tried it again, even after a couple of new collision types appeared.
If you really
must use built-in collision, you'll probably need to use polygon collision, or use static boxes or bounding boxes.
Static boxes are good because they're fairly fast, can use a built-in LOS function and are seperate from objects. Problem with them is that they are limited to box shapes, which can't be rotated in any way.
Rotating bounding boxes are good because they're relatively fast and can be rotated to make angles. Problem is, you won't be able to use plains for your scenery anymore.
You'll need to experiment a bit but, like RPGamer, I always program my own mathematic collision code.
"I am a living, thinking entity who was created in the sea of information."