Okay, I'm back, but I couldn't find any biodiesel! The network of gas stations in the Trier area is very sparse, and the few that you can find don't have biodiesel! V-Power, yes, but biodiesel?!
I'm not really sure if the noise disappears around 1800 RPM, or if it's just that you can't hear it anymore because the engine is making more noise.
I think I'm at the end of my rope; they will probably have to change the engine on January 3rd.
I picked up my car today, with a new engine, and lo and behold, the noise is gone!
They still don't know exactly what it was, but VW will be investigating the engine.