I just don't get pleasing auto-exposures with it Anything backlit gets underexposed to hell. (yes even with compensation).
All pre-matrix and non-spot metering cameras require exposure compensation for backlighting. You are obviously not compensating enough, which is not the fault of the camera. Also, metering in manual will not compensate for backlighting either, unless you walk up to the subject to take a close up reading. You need to make yourself more familiar with how the camera meters to get a feel for how much exposure compensation is necessary in a given situation. I almost never use manual exposure with my OM-2n cameras; instead I liberally crank in some exposure compensation for a majority of my shots as this is much quicker than manual exposure. (For example, with most flash shots, I dial in a -1/3 to -2/3 shot exposure depending on the darkness and distance of the background). The OM-2n has a wonderfully easy exposure compensation dial -- it is large and very legible, doesn't require one to depress any tiny buttons, and the fact that it is being used is indicated in the viewfinder.
I also use exposure compensation frequently when using an OM-4T (even on spot metering mode) as the item(s) spotted on may deviate from the 18% gray standard and thus require some compensation. Unfortunately, the exposure compensation dial on the OM-4T is smaller and less legible than on the OM-2n, and can be somewhat difficult to read in low light.