fitted the full set of silicon hoses this week:
A few thoughts re my expensive silicon hoses. (No I have not won the lottery, they were a birthday present from my son and his wife) Although I say expensive the original LR hoses aren't exactly cheap and hopefully the silicons will last longer, I will keep a lookout on any rubbing on screws etc.
I would suggest that the large inlet hose is probably only cosmetic, the old hose at 8 years old was in perfect condition and with no pressue in it doesn't really do much.
The new hose clamps do need to be really tight, much tighter than the old jubilee type clips. A smear of grease on the new stainless screw threads would help as my screws were a bit sticky. I was very pleased to see how clean my EGR valve was, it was cleaned over a year ago, the vacuum feed pipe was removed quite a few years ago, and the inside of the valve looks perfect. I cannot see a reason to replace the EGR with a blanked unit.
Probably the hardest job with replacing the hoses is the removal of the old ones, the hose clips are in some awkward places. I would not want to replace a hose at the side of the road in the event of a breakdown.
Incidentally in the photo some of the hose elbow angles look tight, they are not, it is the very wide angle lens causing distortion.