Water pump Hepu or OEM Volkswagen

I'll confirm that too (don't remember if it was iron or steel though). But I was highly skeptical too until I saw it w/ my own eyes. But definitely metal, made by German aftermarket manufacturer Hepu, AND it was cheaper than the OEM one w/ plastic impeller. Also that description on ECS's website must have changed recently because when I bought it, there was no mention of the impeller being metal. But Tom@ECS came on here and confirmed it. Still begs the question though if a metal impeller is really any better than the plastibake one if you change it out w/ the belt at 50-60K. I wouldn't hesitate to switch back to the plastic one if that's what I had on hand.

I got my Hepu pump (all metal) for a little over $40 from Euclid Foreign Auto in Euclid Ohio.

Not Always True I replaced mine after 100k w/ an OEM water pump (plastic). Here I am 2 years later w/ another broken water pump. Now, I'm looking into metal & electric water pump. VW makes a piss poor plastic water pump. I'm very frustrated about having to address this issue again, so soon at $800-$850

They also mentioned that the waterpump is leaking really bad and is shot and needs to be replaced.

I bought my 2001 Jetta with 80k on it. It came with a broken water pump (plastic) plus 6 belt valves and a quarter of the teeth missing from the timing belt. The pump was in about 30 pieces and the damage to the valves was do to the water pump.

My plastic Water pump went at 40k... Im at 56k now and im switching out for a metal one with my timing belt and everything.