My 380sl wouldn't  start in P or N a couple of weeks ago, even though
the battery was good and the usual dashboard lights came on when I
turned the key. However, it started right up after i wacked  the
starter. So, after a lot of difficulty getting the top bolt out,  i
managed to replace the starter with a Bosch rebuilt.

That starter worked great until a few days ago when i tried to start
the car, and it exhibited the same symptoms it did with my old
starter. After 2 or 3 tries, however, it started, even though i didn't
hit it this time, and it's been fine ever since.

My question is: should i return the starter, and get another one
before it gets too cold to work outside? Or should i look for another
problem? Since i don't know how reliable Bosch rebuilt starters are, i
can't assess the probability that it's the starter, rather than
something else, especially since wacking the old one started it up.

Thanks very much for any advice on this.