Starter motor OEM Volkswagen or Duralast

No need to go OEM on part. Plenty of good refurbs out there. Think I picked up a Duralast at Autozone for $190.

I too have a 87 wagon. However, my experience with Duralast starters was with my 2005 Subaru. Was recently in jam and needed quick replacement then. The duralast was essentially a remanufactured part and seemed ok quality. Has been almost two months since installation and no problems at all.

After every diagnostic I could think of I got a Duralast reman starter from Auzotone and the engine cranked right over first try so looks like a defective reman was the problem. Lesson learned that you can’t always trust bench testing to find issues.

About a day ago my starter completely went out on me... and just today I got finished putting an ABA starter into play. Absolutely love how much better it sounds and it has no problems getting things turning.

I replaced my old iron starter in my 84 GTI with the mk4 starter and what a difference (both spinning and weight!

I got a starter from AutoZone (Duralast - remanufactured from Mexico) and installed it myself. Anyway, I got it free, took careful note as to where all the wires were supposed to go and then set about installing the other starter.

My 09 Civic’s starter took a dump (was definitely due) around 2020. Don’t remember why but I got a Duralast starter at AutoZone knowing the pain in the ass risks. After replacing the starter I regretted it given how Honda made it somewhat difficult to replace but not impossible. A little over two years now the starter is now giving me issues with click no turn & me having to give it a tap or two.

Assuming the diagnosis is correct , My advise is to replace with an OEM STARTER. I have had many issues with autozone starters and alternators (duralast brand…I call it duraNOTlast from my experience), I have done many; and have redone many. You will never get the service time from a autozone starter that you have from the OEM starter.

I just had a similar issue with my 2015. I changed the starter with a duralast part from autozone, still didn't work. Ended up biting the bullet and taking the car to Ford. They explained to me that a genuine ford part was needed as the starter is part of the security system.

Guy at work has installed and replaced two Duralast starters in his truck since 2020, and the 3rd one is starting to have issues.