The engine noise is general. When idling at the stop lights the whole car shakes like a diesel car. When i'm cruising at 70mph, I have to turn the radio up very loud to overcome engine and wind noise. The exhaust does seem much louder than other cars as well but it might be normal for a Volvo.
The car has rubber engine mounts. I got underneath the car once and tried to slide a ruler between the engine and the cross-member but found it difficult so I asked a mechanic to tell me whether the mounts were bad but he said they were okay. I remember I once tried to use a stethescope to diagnose a vacuum leak but the amplification of engine noise was so great that I couldn't actually get close enough. The shift stick also vibrates when in neutral.
I'm not sure what sort of noise it is but people say they always here me arriving in my car before I knock on the door!

Cheers
William