Winter cover for Mercedes Sprinter and Vito: W901–W905, W906, W638, W639 — how to choose

Mercedes Sprinter and Vito have gone through several generations over a quarter of a century, and almost each one has its own radiator grille. That is why a winter grille cover for a “Sprinter” or “Vito” is selected not by the model name, but by body, years, and even whether there was a facelift. We break down which options there are for W901–W905, W906, W638 and W639, how to identify yours, and how to install the cover.

Contents

• Which cover fits which body
• Sprinter W901–W905: three grilles in 11 years
• Sprinter W906: before and after the 2013 facelift
• Vito W638
• Vito W639: upper and lower covers
• How to identify your option
• How the cover is attached
• When to install and when to remove

Which cover fits which body

The years in the table are those shown on the product pages. All covers are model-specific, black, made by Digital Designs in Ukraine; on most product pages you can choose a matte or gloss finish, while the covers for Sprinter W906 2006–2013, Sprinter W906 V2 and Vito W638 are matte only (ABS plastic).

All options for the brand are collected on the page Mercedes-Benz winter covers, and the overall catalog is in the section winter covers for the radiator grille.

Sprinter W901–W905: three grilles in 11 years

The first generation Sprinter (in conversation it is often called “Sprinter 903” or “904” by the body index) was produced from 1995 to 2006, and during that time the front end was updated twice. That is why on the product page for the winter cover for the Sprinter W901–W905 grille you need to choose not only the finish, but also the period: 1995–2000, 2000–2002 or 2002–2006. Each option is made for its own grille, so you must take your exact period — a cover from the neighboring one will not fit tightly.

Most often, people confuse the 2000–2002 and 2002–2006 boundary. If the front end was replaced after an accident or a facelift front was installed on an older body, the year in the registration documents guarantees nothing — compare your grille with the photos on the product page.

Sprinter W906: before and after the 2013 facelift

In 2013, the W906 received a new front end: different grille, headlights, and hood shape. For a winter grille cover, these are two different parts.

2006–2013

Winter cover for the Sprinter W906 2006–2013 grille — a solid panel with a raised star in the center, fully covering the grille. It fits vehicles from 2006–2013 before the update, including 2013 vehicles that still left the factory with the old front end.

From 2013: V1 or V2

For the facelifted W906 there are two options, both for the entire period up to 2018:

• V1 — a smooth panel with a round cutout around the factory emblem: the star stays in place and remains visible.
• V2 — textured, replicating the horizontal slats of the factory grille, so on the vehicle it looks closer to the stock grille.

The difference is in appearance and in how much the center of the grille is covered. Fitment is the same for both: onto the factory grille, without removing it.

Vito W638

For the first Vito (1996–2003) there is one winter cover for the Vito W638 radiator grille — a flat panel with a raised star between the headlights. There is no separate lower bumper cover for this body. If you have a version with a different front end (for example, a V-Class based on the W638), compare the grille shape with the photos on the product page before ordering.

Vito W639: upper and lower covers

On the W639, air reaches the radiator in two ways: through the radiator grille and through the opening in the bumper under the license plate. That is why there are two covers here, and they are sold separately — you can install only the upper one or both.

Pre-facelift (on the product pages — 2003–2010) these are the winter cover for the Vito W639 2003–2010 grille and the winter bumper cover for the Vito W639 2004–2010. After the 2010 facelift the grille is different, and there are two upper options:

• V1 covers the wider lower part of the grille around the emblem; the star remains visible;
• V2 covers the grille completely — textured, with a molded star.

For the facelift, the lower part uses the bumper cover for the Vito W639 2010–2015. W639 covers do not fit the newer W447 body.

How to identify your option

1. Body. Check the index in the registration documents or a VIN decoder: W901–W905, W906, W638 or W639.
2. Facelift. For the W906 the boundary is 2013, for the W639 it is 2010. In the transition year, look at the headlights, bumper, and grille rather than the production date.
3. Photos. Compare your grille with the photos on the product page: shape, number of slats, emblem position.
4. If you are unsure, send a photo of the front end to the manager. This is the fastest way to avoid a mistake, especially if the front end was replaced at some point.

Matte or gloss is a matter of taste: small scratches from sand and brushes are less visible on matte. The material of most covers is ABS plastic; some options are polystyrene; it is specified precisely on the product page in the “Material” field.

How the cover is attached

There is no need to remove the factory grille: the cover is installed over it. Grille covers are attached with hooks — they are screwed to the cover with the included screws, and the hooks themselves latch onto the ribs of the factory grille. The lower bumper covers for the Vito W639 and the upper V1 for the facelift are attached with zip ties. Fasteners are included.

If you have installed a camera into the grille or behind it, additional lights, or other equipment, first test-fit the cover and only then tighten the fasteners.

When to install and when to remove

The cover is installed when steady cold weather sets in and the engine noticeably takes longer to reach operating temperature, especially in city driving with frequent stops. In spring, as it gets warmer, it is removed. During winter, keep an eye on the coolant temperature gauge: if under load — a full van, a long climb, a long trip — the needle rises above usual, the cover should be removed. For the W639 with two covers, a flexible option is to remove the lower one during a thaw and leave the upper one.

We deliver via Nova Poshta across Ukraine; orders from 15 000 ₴ — free with our own transport.

How it works

Determine the version

Check the body, year, and facelift (for W906 the cutoff is 2013, for W639 — 2010), and compare your grille with the product photos on the trim card.

Test-fit the trim

Place the trim against the factory grille and see how it follows the contour and where the mounting points will be.

Screw on the hooks

Secure the hooks from the kit to the trim with screws through the provided holes.

Hook the trim onto the grille

Insert the hooks behind the ribs of the factory grille and press the trim into place; secure the lower Vito W639 trims and the upper V1 facelift trim with the included zip ties.

Check the fit

Make sure the trim does not wobble, does not block any additional equipment, and fits snugly along the edges, and monitor engine temperature during the first few days.