The VW one made for the Golf/MQB platform is a perfect fit, better for aero, & locates to the front chassis rails...the ECS on originally didn't so could still be smacked up into the plastic oil pan...they later made a cross bar to support the front.....after I pointed out their design flaws....
My 5yr old VW one is fine...nice & quiet when stuff (gravel/wildlife) hits it unlike aluminum ...
Ah didn’t know that. Tbh I got mine off the donor GTI I bought and Midland VW swapped it over when they did the intercooler swap.
Don’t notice too much noise tbf from anything that might be thrown up so all good and at least there’s some extra protection.