Radiator and Coolant Reservoir Hose question

[MarinerMan]

Greetings y'all. I am getting ready to do my radiator work. The hoses on my 99 V70 N/A are original to the vehicle and finally starting to show signs of decay. I was planning to get new hoses, but after reading peoples comments, it seems that volvo genuine hoses are not as good as they once were. The options from FCP (my preference due to the warranty) are Genuine Volvo, Rein, Viaco, do88, and Mishimoto. The Volvo option would have been in the lead, even with the price (~$80 for the upper and lower), but the people saying they don't last as long as the originals or aren't as good quality makes me look at other options. I know I could buy the genuine and replace them for a very reduced rate if they blow, but I am also trying to not add as much to the landfill over the years. This leads me to the silicone options from do88 and Mishimoto. Mishimoto is $5 more expensive for a set of radiator hoses. Are they better or worse than do88. I know mishimoto is an American company but manufactures in China. On the other hand, do88 is a Swedish company but doesn't disclose where they manufacture, maybe Sweden, maybe China. So the questions are:

1. Is there a reason to get rubber instead of silicone, as silicone is known to be longer lasting and more resistant to all but engine oil? (I have yet to find an oil leak in my engine bay, knock on wood)
2. If I purchase silicone, is do88 or Mishimoto a better option?
3. No matter which I purchase, should I use spring clamps like Volvo uses, Constant pressure SS Hose clamps, or the Gates Heat shrink style clamps?


I know there is plenty of bits of information in this field, but it is all somewhat tangential in a variety of posts. I have been looking for the last three days here, on swedespeed, and turbobricks. At this point, I figure I would just ask my own questions. Thanks for reading and the imput y'all.

[jreed]

I've used the Volvo OEM coolant hoses over the years, so I don't have any direct experience with the silicone versions. I have been using the ABA hose clamps from IPD.
I have read that the silicone air intake hoses can be difficult to fit... I don't know if that would apply to the silicone coolant hoses too.

[abscate]

Ive only used Volvo hoses from Sweden, Turkey, and Poland. The quality has changed but they all still seem better than aftermarket.

Rein are decent in my experience, too.

Use good closed band clamps from Belmetric or FCP, or use Oetikers like the cool kids.

[MarinerMan]

Thanks for the replies. Abscate, what is the benefit of using Oetiker clamps, other than needing to get a clamp tool?

[scot850]

They are better, especially with small hose diameters, of being able to form their shape to give a consistent pressure all way around the hose. Small jubilee/pipe clamps as they get smaller are poor at keeping round due to the mechanism. Fuel pipe hoses are another option.

Neil.