What is the best starter for the older diesel cars? Are the TDI units gear reduction. Will they fit the older cars? Mine is on its way downhill and i would be willing to spend the extra to get a new style on. They have to be designed better than they were in 84. Plus gear reduction starters sound cool.

And i Have 15w-40 rotella in there not the best for winter temps.
Gear reduction starters suck out loud, I've never met one I didn't hate. The VW permanent magnet gear reduction units aren't the worst, but the old direct drive ones are superior in every way except maybe weight. I'd get your old one rebuilt.
Ye,i agree,stick to the old school starters,ive used a 83 starter on my mk3 engined mk1 golf,the starter will outlast the bodyshell :lol: ,the reduction gearboxes are plastic and i dont rate them at all :cry:
Bert
I was always under the impression that the mk3 starters were the best... If not I'd go mk2
MKII 78-84
MKII 85-92
MKIII 93-99.5
MKIV 99.5-04
MKV 05-CURRENT
Is this correct?
MKII 78-84
MKII 85-92
MKIII 93-99.5
MKIV 99.5-04
MKV 05-CURRENT
Is this correct?
that's correct, i have an mk2 starter on my mk1 i like it better, and it has a lifetime warranty so if they're not as reliable as the older mk1 ones i don't care cause it only takes 15 minutes to change them out.
The permanent magnet starters were used in the MK2 and MK3s. The only problem of using a MK1 starter in a MK2/MK3 application is that it is missing the extra ear to bolt it to the front engin mount. The MK1 starters are a series winding motor, and are quite durable, however the permanent magnet motors seem to work alright too in my experience. Just don't tap on a permanent magnet motor with a hammer, or you could be in for a few surprises.
Peter