Silicone Hoses

[doctorx]

i have the IE kit, and it has worked great for me. All clearances spot on. Not sure why the controversy. I used the ebay, but half of the hoses didnt fit.

[digger]

If anything the stiffer silicone hoses can stress the end tanks out if you don’t run stiffer engine / trans mounts.

i'm not sure there is much difference to stiffness once its full of water

[nando]

yeah, maybe they're fine, even probably. But is there a benefit or difference you will ever notice? OE hoses are inexpensive, high quality, and last nearly forever. Actually, I think some of the hoses in my E30 are still original (I've definitely replaced many of them, but not all). It's not clear to me that the replacement of every hose was actually needed. The question to me is - if the original hoses last 25-30 years - what's the actual benefit of expensive silicon hoses? Not to mention cheap Chinese knock offs - which, just, no...

I guess if OE hoses ever go NLA, we'll be glad aftermarket companies are willing to supply us with parts! It's sad to think about, but honestly - I'll be in my 70's. I hope I'll still love the thrill of my E30, but will I really still care about it then? Who knows. Right now, I enjoy it every time I drive it - even if I'm just taking the kids to school (you should see the stares of every other parent, lol).

[doctorx]

yeah, maybe they're fine, even probably. But is there a benefit or difference you will ever notice? OE hoses are inexpensive, high quality, and last nearly forever. Actually, I think some of the hoses in my E30 are still original (I've definitely replaced many of them, but not all). It's not clear to me that the replacement of every hose was actually needed. The question to me is - if the original hoses last 25-30 years - what's the actual benefit of expensive silicon hoses? Not to mention cheap Chinese knock offs - which, just, no...

I guess if OE hoses ever go NLA, we'll be glad aftermarket companies are willing to supply us with parts! It's sad to think about, but honestly - I'll be in my 70's. I hope I'll still love the thrill of my E30, but will I really still care about it then? Who knows. Right now, I enjoy it every time I drive it - even if I'm just taking the kids to school (you should see the stares of every other parent, lol).

Rubber hoses dont last forever... where the hell did that come from? They are good for about 3-5 years if you take care of them. I dont care if you have a 30 year old car or 3 year old one. I have had to replace hoses on anything that was 3 years old to one that is on its 5th set since i owned it (92 Sonoma). trusting a rubber anything 25-30 years is a good way to strand yourself along side the road or worse overheat and cause real damage. These things are not expensive. The cost difference between a set of rubber and ie silicone were less that $20. I got them for looks and performance.

[nando]

well, "forever" is relative, but certainly they last a long time. 3-5 years? are you new to E30s? I definitely have some original hoses on my car that are still just fine (nearly 31 years old). Even the ones I've replaced, that was already 15 years ago.

My 2006 330i has all original everything, except the serpentine belt and waterpump. if they only lasted 3 years, I'd probably know by now, lol.

[digger]

yeah rubber lasts ages in the e30 as it doesn't run as hot as modern engines, but certainly not forever but multiples more than 3.

there is also a difference between OEM and OE and i'd say the quality difference is probably getting wider.

case in point the BMW specced OE fuel hoses last several times longer than aftermarket stuff you get from auto parts stores and name brand aftermarket stuff. there is rubber and there is rubber and that doesn't even include the hose construction.

[doctorx]

well, "forever" is relative, but certainly they last a long time. 3-5 years? are you new to E30s? I definitely have some original hoses on my car that are still just fine (nearly 31 years old). Even the ones I've replaced, that was already 15 years ago.

My 2006 330i has all original everything, except the serpentine belt and waterpump. if they only lasted 3 years, I'd probably know by now, lol.

Relatively new... i only had the car for 2 years. However, I can tell you that rubber does not last that long. It also can depend on where you live. it is bad advice and stupid to say stuff like this when hoses are relatively cheap insurance. My oil can last 10000 to 15k too, but that is kinda pushing it. Tires can last 10 years or more, but they start breaking down 3-5 years. Now if you never drive your e30 and it is a trailer queen, sure... it can last 15 years or more. sheeze.

[doctorx]

yeah rubber lasts ages in the e30 as it doesn't run as hot as modern engines, but certainly not forever but multiples more than 3.

there is also a difference between OEM and OE and i'd say the quality difference is probably getting wider.

case in point the BMW specced OE fuel hoses last several times longer than aftermarket stuff you get from auto parts stores and name brand aftermarket stuff. there is rubber and there is rubber and that doesn't even include the hose construction.

You really believe this? Only a handful of companies even make hoses and rubber. They are all rebranded crap. Uh... Original Equipment Manufacturer and Original Equipment??? OE stuff is made by OEM.... oh boy.

[nando]

Relatively new... i only had the car for 2 years. However, I can tell you that rubber does not last that long. It also can depend on where you live. it is bad advice and stupid to say stuff like this when hoses are relatively cheap insurance. My oil can last 10000 to 15k too, but that is kinda pushing it. Tires can last 10 years or more, but they start breaking down 3-5 years. Now if you never drive your e30 and it is a trailer queen, sure... it can last 15 years or more. sheeze.

Lol. My E30 has 300,000 miles on it.. I've driven it plenty. Nope, totally don't last! Except they do.

And yes, there are definitely many parts where the OE BMW part (of which many they manufactured directly, not just contracted out) are superior to aftermarket.

I don't really get your argument. You're telling us that BMW hoses will last 3-5 years because you had a POS car with with issues, but plenty of us have a *lot* of experience with E30s who can prove otherwise. If you want to replace your rubber/oil/etc on some sort of aircraft maintenance schedule, be my guest - but it's not going to make the car last any longer.

[digger]

You really believe this? Only a handful of companies even make hoses and rubber. They are all rebranded crap. Uh... Original Equipment Manufacturer and Original Equipment??? OE stuff is made by OEM.... oh boy.

Yes, the oem stuff is not what it was a decade ago as cost cutting in offshore manufacturing sites is rife. It does depend on the brand though are still some good ones but not as many as there was. Claiming they are the same but rebranded is atypical, while some parts are many are not.

[doctorx]

Lol. My E30 has 300,000 miles on it.. I've driven it plenty. Nope, totally don't last! Except they do. And yes, there are definitely many parts where the OE BMW part (of which many they manufactured directly, not just contracted out) are superior to aftermarket. I don't really get your argument. You're telling us that BMW hoses will last 3-5 years because you had a POS car with with issues, but plenty of us have a *lot* of experience with E30s who can prove otherwise. If you want to replace your rubber/oil/etc on some sort of aircraft maintenance schedule, be my guest - but it's not going to make the car last any longer.

We agree to disagree. And my pos as you said is gmc truck from 92 that was my grandfather's who was a gear head and took care of his stuff. The other Pos that you stated was 87 bmw 325i convertible that was my dad's that i have been fixing up. After a couple of heart attacks, he couldn't take care of it. I am on my 3 rd set of hoses in 2 years due "bmw" oe hoses cracking on me that was not even a year old. They had bmw on label. Tried ebay ones and they didnt all fit. I went IE hoses and no more issues.. Sent from my moto g power using Tapatalk