I took apart the Driver side Center console panel (Velour cover). This allows side access to the Climate Control temp selector wheel, which I took apart to repair. While there fiddling with the Climate Control, I notices that the left side A/C evaporator drain hose is crumbling . It is a sophisticated foam covered (around a spring coil) type deal. It is simply a drain - so my question is whether this hose can just be replaced with a simple rubber hose, or is there a good German engineered reason to pay for the real replacement ?
Thanks.

1987 300SE Euro