Hey gang, it's looking like I'll have to stay stock, but before pulling the plug on an exhaust (at least for the time being... while I can attend a large meet), would like a bit more input from current/previous owners (with no other modifications please, as they change noise levels).
First, the main reason to replace my stock muffler is it looks like crap. Sound inside the cabin is PERFECT. Outside, mild but acceptable. The looks is what's killing me, but not enough to sacrifice a quiet cabin on trips. Therefore, I was looking for a system that looks nice but it's as quiet as stock inside the cabin, and obviously more aggressive outside. Both the Dinan and Eisenmann are out of consideration because I don't like how they look, plus are overly expensive for what they offer (IMO). Only contenders left as of now are Remus Sport and possibly AA.
The Remus Sport was my choice, but a forum member who used to own it just confirmed what I was afraid of: without resonance chambers, they'd drone somewhere in the rev range. He reported noise between 3K and 3.5K rpm annoying enough that required a downshift (note the M3 is already screaming on the highway in 6th gear IMO). That qualifies as 'drone' to me, and it's right at my cruising range, so unacceptable. Unfortunately everybody has its own definition of drone, but want to hear more comments.
Here's what I want. I initially was asking for a system as quiet as stock, but am going to widen that a little, to possibly include other mild systems like AA, Corsa, etc. My 2 requirements are: it has to have resonance chambers (stock has them for a reason), look nice (I'll determine that, I guess
), and cabin has to be quiet like stock above 2,500 or so (less than 3K for sure).
Note that the exhaust can be a bit louder than stock, but as long as it's not louder than wind/road/tire noise, it'd still be as quiet as stock 
. Wish I could determine that for myself, but will have to rely on your comments to make a decision.
And finally, if I stay stock, I'd like to consider painting the mufler black. That'd probably make it less of an eyesore, but don't want the paint peeling off in a few months. Has anybody done that? Thanks in advance for your help gang. All comments welcome.