Reviews of OEM Volkswagen starter motor

The starter in my GTI died and I had to push start it. It worked fine but I had a few lights on the dashboard (ESP and something else I think). The starter was the only thing wrong with the car so I think the lights were related to not turning the key to start it.

MkIV 2.0 auto trans starter. Bolts right up to an 020. Spins the engine faster than the original did. And, it's smaller and lighter, too. I put one in my Scirocco a few years ago, when I replaced the trans & clutch.

Can confirm Mk3 starters work on Mk1s as long as it's a manual Mk1, have had one on for years, have seen it done on several Mk1s.

So I picked up the MK4 unit. It sounds different than the old unit. From what I read it's got gear reduction in it. Car starts fine. Glad to have some new tech in this old car, and it's funny, the MK1 unit has a 1 year warranty while the MK4 unit is lifetime. Put another check in the pro column for the MK4 unit!

How much more effective is the gear reduction starter compared to using a MK3 starter? I'm running a mk3 8v starter in my '80 scirocco and absolutely love it. Much more effective.