My Polo is a petrol one but it sounds like a diesel like a van, so is there anyway to change the sound by maybe changing the exhaust?

is the exhaust leaking?? start the car up and cover the tail pipe and if there is a hole the fumes will get out throw it and you will hear it..

Also what engine is it? The 1.2 3 pots never sounded good!

My guess, running on 3 Cylinders!

How long has it sounded like it?

Exhaust could be blowing, or it could be something more internal, bottom end, piston slap etc.

It is normal for the 1.4 8V engines especially when your just starting them and they're still cold.

Not sure what engine you have, or which Polo for that matter.

Edited 18 October, 200916 yr by indy231

If its a 1.4 8v, mines doing the same. Sounds like a diesel when its cold. I think mine has a hole in the exhaust, it's quiet up to 3000rpm, then gets pretty loud, can hear it over the radio and road noise at 75ish.

Its a 1.4 8v, you can hear it from outside the car but when your inside and have music on you cant really hear it..

If its a 1.4 8v, mines doing the same. Sounds like a diesel when its cold. I think mine has a hole in the exhaust, it's quiet up to 3000rpm, then gets pretty loud, can hear it over the radio and road noise at 75ish.

Yeah I think I'm in the same situation as this.. when it says EPC on the dashboard it means the engine is cold