am putting in the third..that's right third starter in my 95 Maxima.
First died at 37k, this one stopped at 85k

Is this a common thing to fail? Never had a starter go before.

Also, I asked the dealer if I could keep the old one; he said they would charge me because they send the starters back to be re-manufactured.

Is this true or BS

the starter was 295 and the labor was about 2 hrs

 

The original starter was prone to problems (grease drying out), but the replacement starter should have resolved it.

I've got 83+k miles on my 95 and it's still going off the original starter, though the 'donkey whine' sound is now present during cold weather because of the dried-up grease.

I suspect your problem is somewhere else, possibly mechanical?

You don't grind your starter right?

 

The starters in the '95-'96 models are proned to be faulty. Nissan had a problem with these because of the number of gear teeth for these years (8). I believe they increased the number to 10 in the later years ('97 and up). Actually, I'm on my 3rd one now on my '95.

 

true. they take it to repair and sell it again. no way you can buy a brand new starter, it's just too damn expensive and the remanufactured starters are not really bad anyway. but maybe that's why your "new" starter fail you again. I think $200 for a remanufactured starter plus giving your old starter is a total rip off. considered they repair and sell it again.

you not the only one that changed the starter 2 times. I had my starter replaced 3 times on my 240sx, the 2nd one die at 97k and the 3rd one die at 98k. only 1000 miles, WTF!!! good thing is that the starter had the warrenty for 1 year. why there is a warrenty? cuz it's not reliable so they give warrenty!! haha....

 

Please explain "donkey whine" sound. When my 97 with 107k is cold, starting the engine offers a strange sound (donkey whine??). The sound last for about .3 to 1 second. Is this the "donkey" in action???

 

yeah, should be. take a look at the following:
http://www.motorvate.ca/auto/maxima/starter/starter.htm

 

That's the donkey in action

Search for: donkey whine

You'll be surprised to find results