I can't answer your question directly, as I've bought two rebuild starters from two different places and had completely different experiences with them. However, you may learn something from my stories.

Number one was a rebuild done locally by a specialty auto electric shop here in town. They apparently used crap Chinese parts, since I had weeks of problems with the solenoid that refuse to do its job. I finally spent $55 to buy a Bosch solenoid from a specialty import parts house, put it in myself, end of problems. Post rebuild operation was completely indistinguishable from how well the starter worked prior to the starter problems that led me to bring it to the local rebuild shop. This was on my 240D.

For starter number two in the 190D, I just went to the specialty import parts shop, verified that they could sell me a Bosch-rebuilt starter, shelled out $225 and took it home. I put it in (with a little advice from the forum), and WOW, there was a difference! Not only was the solenoid problem solved from the get-go, but I swear the new starter cranks the engine significantly faster than the old (at least 25% faster is my guess). It could be better quality parts in the rebuild, could be that they sell a single starter for a range of engines and the 190D's 2.5 liter is at the bottom end, could be any number of reasons, but for my money I will go Bosch from here on out.

Kurt

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- '79 240D - engine swap complete! Engine broken in! 28-31 mpg! Lovin' the ride!
- '86 190D (W201-126) - 2.5 NA engine, 5 speed, cloth interior, manual climate controls, 33-34 mpg (sold to forum member).