Timing belt kit help

[ozzzy2]

Hi all. Just looking at a water pump and timing belt kit for my 04 MK5 2.0L petrol comfortline. Local dealer quoted me over $170 just for the water pump. I can get a compete set (Gates) off ebay from the USA for less than that with shipping.
Kit number TCKWP296. There is also an option for either plastic or metal impeller. Someone who brought theirs off Amazon recently stated that the plastic ones are good because they move more water/coolant (cant really see how) and of course dont rust. Has anyone here had any experience or suggestions with these please? Cheers

[Golf Loon]

Get a metal impeller. Plastic melts and breaks off long before the metal will rust.

[Fatherless One]

Good to know, I'm up for my major soon.

[Bug_racer]

The plastic has been hardened on the later water pumps after a series of failures early on . I find that both the plastic and metal impellers are fine these days , its usually the pressure relief valve or the actual seal that leaks .

[phaeton]

Interestingly reading Volkswagen Driver AutoMetrix Publications publication many of the aftermarket VW Group specialists recommend the genuine article and the plastic over the metal impeller due to possible block damage - although no cases of block damage has occured due to the soft metals used for the impeller.

I used a plastic based impeller after reading the articles I read on Mum's Golf, the manufacturer spends millions on these items so why mess with them? Since replacing c/belt and w/pump on my Mother's vehicle which used an aftermarket Valeo brand water pump, I have since decided all parts purchases bar engine oil will be genuine parts only from general experiences.

Disclaimer: The above post is my opinion, I am not a mechanic nor do I claim to be, Volkswagen Driver is a UK publication which I have subscribed for over 10 years, I trust the experience of these reviews and debates hence why I buy the magazine.

[Diesel_vert]

the manufacturer spends millions on these items so why mess with them?

Because, despite the millions spent on R&D (or sometimes, lack thereof), the manufacturer can still get it wrong.

But on the whole, I would agree with your sentiments regarding magazine articles published by those on the ground, so to speak.

[phaeton]

Because, despite the millions spent on R&D (or sometimes, lack thereof), the manufacturer can still get it wrong.

But on the whole, I would agree with your sentiments regarding magazine articles published by those on the ground, so to speak.

Very true I agree.