ladies and gents, i need some direction.

problem i have. my wife drives a 2005 1.9tdi atd
90% of the time. crank like 4 or 5 times until it hesitates and starts.
the rare odd times, it would start on the first turn. regardless of weather. example this morning it was rather cold in KZN, started on the first crank.
always a hard start after the car sits for awhile, once it starts, you can switch off and start with ease.
i did a scan a few times previously it would pick up the below
P0304 - misfire cyl.4
engine does have a rough idle. on acceleration its smooth.

a few months back, car died while travelling around 50km/h.
wouldn't start, just cranks no matter how many times. after half n hour, it started.
did a scan and picked up P0322. which i replaced the crank sensor.

brings me back to today.
stuck again just a 200m from home. cut off whilst driving. refused to start. ran a scan while on the road side.
01596 - fresh/recirc. air flap position motor
00778 - steering angle sensor
00532 - airbag supply voltage too low
00934 - left rear window lift motor.

no misfire or any other codes to give me direction. after 10mins. started fine and drove the car 26km no issue.

options to start on a budget...
clean injectors
test glow plugs
test starter
replace cam sensor

Hard starts in that condition most likely leaky injector seals. Park the car facing downward on an incline, it should start easier. If it does, that somewhat confirms injector seals need replacing. Can be checked on vcds group 13.
Rough idling is telling U that there is an issue, U will see high values on group 13.

Also check the Thermostatic T piece on the fuel filter for leaks. Could cause the fuel to drain back to the tank, and diesels don't like air in fuel lines.

Switching off while driving could be cam sensor related. Can also cause hard starts. Can be checked with vcds group 4, block 4 - value should move when adjusting the Vernier gear.

The only way to clean these injectors in KZN is by purging them whilst on the engine. If anybody tells U otherwise, it's ****. Nobody in KZN has proper tools to service these injectors, don't waste Ur time and money trying.
Glow plugs aren't gonna be causing your issues in majority of the kzn climate. It's not even winter yet. They really only work below something like 10 Deg celcius and below.

I don't see how the starter could cause ur issues unless the engine swings as if the battery is dying then maybe U would need new brushes.