What's the life expectancy of a starter motor for a 940? The brief rattle that mine makes right after a cold start is, according to my independent mechanic, not fixable unless I replace the starter. It's a pricey part, I guess, $250 or so (#5003564). Former p/n was 3523301. It's been rattling for a second or two, only after cold starts, for about a month.

My car is a 1994 945 turbo with 92,000 miles.

My questions are whether it is likely to croak right away, or if I can live with it until I can get a deal on a new part, or whether a used one is a good idea or a bad idea. Do they die after a number of starts, miles, years or at random?

Thanks!