Just to recount a story that happened to my pal who has a mk4 TDI . His starter died and he needed his car asap, so he just left it with his corner garage. They could only get a jobber cheap one at $150 or they wanted more than $400 for a Bosch. He told to just put the cheap one in and he'd replace it later when he had time.2 months later and he went out to start the car- big noise, no start. Looked under the hood, only to see oil on the ground- transmission oil!. The starter had exploded, chunks fell inside the bell housing, transmission busted. So in order to save time and money, it ended up costing 2 more days down time, removing and dismantling the trans and welding up the case.
I believe our British friends have a saying for this: "penny-wise, pound-foolish".
Stupid thing is that, he is one of the guys i know who rebuilds pumps, turbos etc, and more than capable to rebuild starters, but he was in a time crunch.
Well, there certainly are times when you just gotta get 'er running.... definitely an audible on the field.