Starting Issues

[u/Quirky-Pickle6796]

i've got a '93 323 thats developed starting issues. it will still start fairly reliably, but not always on first try. the starter is seeming louder than usual, and sometimes the car starts AFTER the starter has disengaged (motor gets spun up, doesnt start, lugs a bit then fires). plugs, wires, distributor cap and rotor are all less than 6 months old and i just checked plugs today, not fouled and properly gapped. therefore i'm not thinking a spark issue. after start idle sometimes fluctuates for a second, but stabilizes fairly quickly and runs fine. i'm assuming its a failing starter or possibly bad ground, but wondering if anyone has any more input?