Starter?? '90 CoupeQ HELP!

[BASSTREB@aol.com]

I have a 1990 Coupe Quattro.  Over the last few months, the starter has
started to make whining noises as I start the car.  Well, this morning it did
not start at all.  It sound like the battery was dead but everything worked.
 It sounded like it wanted to crank but just did not have enough juice...just
one or two attempts to turn and it stopped.  Could you just be it needed more
juice to crank?  That happened to my mothers BMW the other day.  After 30
mins of charging it was fine. Or is it the starter????  I am hoping not,
becuase it is a cool $350+ to have it replaced.  ANY INSIGHT IS WELCOME.
 THANK YOU VERY VERY MUCH IN ADVANCE.

Basstreb@aol.com