[A2-16v] Breather Options

[Greg Overman]

I was changing my oil cooler last weekend and in the process discovered my
breather hose (the one from the front of the block to the air filter) was
split. So I taped it up but was wondering if there are any options for
replacing it with something cheaper ($70/why do all my hoses cost so damn
much?) or should I just try to find one at a junkyard? Is running it to the
airbox an emissions thing?
Thanks,
Greg Overman
'90 GLI