Autopilot coupled approaches are awesome when flying single pilot IFR. And if not to you, it likely will be to the next guy who's thinking of buying your airplane. And the difference between a fully capable IFR autopilot and a VFR enroute autopilot is worth a lot more than that. But at $5K+$700 for the STC, then installation (servos + head unit), I'll bet you're within a grand of the cost of upgrading the STEC.
If the Mooney doesn't have an autopilot or only a wing leveler, then you're stuck with a full servo replacement/install and the TT autopilot is certainly an upgrade. And if you're flying low IFR, an autopilot that will fly a fully coupled approach to minimums is a very valuable safety feature. The STEC3100 at $10K + minimal installation (head unit only) is by all reports, a top of the line autopilot comparable to the GFC600 with full IFR approach capability. So thinking of the resale, I'd be very hesitant to go backwards with autopilot capability.
But they are an exceptionally good traveling airplane and IFR platform is an important part of that capability. Are you sure of the double cost? All in? Apples to apples re functionalities? Including installing servos in the case of TT?
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