Advantages of silicon hoses

[Priglet]

The top hose on my 300 tdi decided the M5 was a good place to spring a leak so now needs replacement. I'm intending to replace all the radiator hoses at the same time as I suspect they're all the same age and in a fairly similar condition.

Is there any advantage to using silicon hoses rather than standard ones on a vehicle with no engine enhancements?

Thanks in advance for your help.

[ian_s]

they look shiny, but thats about it
i doubt they will last any longer than a good quality rubber hose

[Saffy]

The silicone hoses  are usually replacement on the intercooler side of things where they are supposedly more tolerant to chemical attack, do not expand or collapse like the standard rubber and are a sightly longer so can fit more easily the mis-positioned aftermarket intercooler inlet/outlets. Myself I have kept original top and elbow intercooler hoses and just replaced the bottom intercooler hose with silicone as it had the greater required length. As long as the standard hoses are in good health then there is no real need other than bling factor.

All I can think of if you are replacing coolant hoses with silicone versions is that they should last longer than the rubber counterparts in that they should not age so dramatically. But standard hoses are pretty good and pretty cheap and easy to change out.

[Priglet]

Thanks for your input, I can save a few quid now and buy some diesel.