Threw on a mk3 tdi starter I had laying around, spun a little faster, but still not good enough, so I ordered a bushing. Unfortunately nobody local had it, and the ones that could get it, it would be a couple weeks out, so I ordered from parts place.
These don't use the bushing right guys? Sounds like you have a wiring/battery problem.
Those are what I use in my cars now after a member on the forum told me about them and sold me one. Call me crazy as I never looked up specs but they have performed awesome for me. I simply don't get slowdowns with a stock sized battery if I cranked for 10 seconds. I never have to do that though since my cars are tuned.
The tdi manual transmission starters use a bushing. The automatics do not. I have a manual trans starter. I ordered a bushing from the stealership, just waiting for it to come in now. Can't believe nobody in Nebraska has it in stock.
Strange, my 02A starter definitely does not have a bushing. Neither the old one I returned as a core nor the new Bosch reman I got had the bushing style snout.