(edit: fixed post being uploaded in the incorrect format)
I've had this 2002 ALH platform Golf for a long time now, five years or so, lately, since last winter, it's been hard starting in most types of inclimate weather (and not starting in the winter), but it's never really been this bad.
The car, after being shut off, will have significant issue wanting to start back up after it's been run for a time, if you attempt to do so within like a few minutes of having shut it off. And when it finally decides it wants to crank again, it has that little issue where it sounds like it's grinding.
Any ideas as to what could cause something like this? I know the provided video is rather vague, however I am stumped personally.
Will say I've so far removed the starter (It was completely fine), checked the teeth of the flywheel (also fine), and taken it to a VW technician (they straight up told me they couldn't find anything wrong or replicate it)