Hi Benny. I'm in the process of doing the same thing my '95 850 Turbo Sedan. I would go with the changer, the following benefits are:

1) 6 disks always are always loaded (don't fumble around with those CDs while your driving, okay.)

2) You still get to use your cassette (Great for books on tapes and old tapes if you still have 'em)

3) Price sounds about the same as switching to SC-816

The current units of the alpine changer that you can use are the CHM-S611 (about $280 mail order). This unit basically replaces the CHM-S601 and only has the older Alpine M-bus interface which is what the SC-811 uses. You can also use the CHA-S614 (about $320 mail order) which has both the M-bus and the new Alpine AI-bus interface. The S614 would only be needed if you plan to install an Alpine head unit at some time since most the new head units are AI-Bus compatible.

I bought the S614 thinking that the SC-811 unit might go out someday, then I could be a compatible head unit to go with the changer. Note that if you use the S614 you will need an additional Alpine adapter (KCA-130B for $10). You will also need and adapter like the PIE VOLALP ($40-$50) adapter to install either one of the changers.

Gordon