Starter Motor Problems?

[AdelaidePagoda]

Backstory: 230SL 4spd intermittent starting issue, maybe once every 15-20 starts.
Stop at destination, everything working perfectly. Warm motor, want to restart engine to continue journey, turn ignition, one click, nothing. No noise at all. Key back and forth, nothing. Lights everything working, 3 month old almost new battery.
Hood up, tap the top of (original although likely refurbished) starter motor with a long wrench, turn ignition and it starts up. Runs perfectly.
This has been going on for 3 months and I suspect from reading this forum, I need a new (or refurbish this one) starter motor.
My question is, has anyone else had this issue and if so, what was the likely diagnosis and best course of action?
What is the expected lifespan of the starter motor if left untreated?
Is this an intermittent issue and may resolve itself or early signs of the start of a gradual decay?
If the forum agrees that I wneed a new starter motor soon, any advice on a suitable supplier here in Australia?

Any suggestions and advice welcomed.

[ja17]

You have many options. Rebuild your original starter. You can also use a later original pagoda starter which has more horse power. You can also buy a modern version (gear reduction) starter which is smaller but has more horsepower. New and rebuilt units of all of the above should be available. In addition good used units may be available since these starters were used in many Mercedes sedans of the era.

[mdsalemi]

Of course Joe is correct but has unnecessarily complicated the issue for you.

If you have a problem with your starter go to an auto parts store and buy a Bosch factory rebuilt or similar. You may have a core charge. Swap out the bad one for your new one and return the defective one and get your core charge back.

Yes that simple.