exhaust systems for 07 S550?
 

what are our options that arent $3000 bucks?

Exhaust is rather a complex subject What is your objective in the exhaust modifications? all out performance, more exhaust sound, or better looking tips? $3000 exhaust will give you polished stainless steel and bolt on convenience and good looking tips. maybe even a dyno-ed documented hp gains.

You can save some money and go find a good muffler shop.
-For more exhaust sound. Try muffler delete. cost is minimal. a lot of other benz model forum user have done it. Have the muffler shop remove the muffler to see how you like it. it will be louder
-For all out performance you need to run pipes from after the catalytic converter to rear bumper exit. I would run a X-pipe in the middle to help exhaust flow. Add silencers/mufflers to control sound level to your liking. Depending on what silencer and tip options you go with this can cost up to $1000

I really dont want loud at all... just a little throatier when you goose it.

Find a decent exhaust shop...$1000 will get you a nice exhaust installed. The kits you can find are generally polished or bolt up and because it's Mercedes...costs more. If you can find it (if I recall correctly) a used S55 or S65 system bolts up and will give you what you want.