Mercedes-Benz W 638

Mercedes Benz
Mercedes-Benz V 220 CDI Trend
W 638
Manufacturer:	Daimler AG
Sales designation:	Vito, V-Class
Production period:	1996-2003
Previous model:	Mercedes-Benz MB 100
Successor:	Mercedes-Benz 639 series
Technical specifications
Designs:	Panel van , minibus
Engines:	Otto engines : 2.0–2.8 liters (95–128 kW) Diesel engines : 2.2–2.3 liters (58–90 kW)
Length:	4660 mm
Width:	1870 mm
Height:	1844 mm
Wheelbase:	3000 mm

Rear view

Mercedes-Benz Vito

Rear view

The series W 638 was developed by Mercedes-Benz as a pickup truck and minivan production. It was sold as a commercial vehicle under the name Vito , see Mercedes-Benz vans , and in the passenger car segment as the V-Class , see Mercedes-Benz passenger cars . The curb weight is given as 1763-2070 kg.

It is the successor to the MB 100 . The W 638 has a transversely installed front engine and is driven by the front wheels. It was produced from 1996 to 2003 at the Vitoria-Gasteiz plant in Spain. The successor is the 639 series . In 1996 the Vito was voted Van of the Year .

Models and engines

The Vito is the commercial vehicle from the W 638 - 638/1 series. The more comfortable variant of the series is the V-Class, which was sold in the passenger car segment. Technically, the variants are almost identical, but the V-Class has better noise insulation and is equipped with air suspension on the rear axle as standard, which was only available as an option on the Vito. Visually the variants differ u. a. on headlights, radiator grille, texturing of the rear lights and the exterior mirrors (larger and unpainted on the Vito).

The name Vito is derived from Vitoria-Gasteiz in Spain , where the vehicle models are manufactured. Originally the vehicle was supposed to be marketed as Vitoria , but the Seat company had the name protected for its own use.

Model variants

The Vito was available in the following versions:

• Mixto with two rows of seats and a small load space
• Minibus , called a transporter with three rows of seats
• Panel van with one row of seats and a large load space
• Westfalia motorhomes
  • Vito F - foldable rear bench seat with bed function as a recreational vehicle suitable for everyday use and optional pop-top roof with roof bed
  • Vito Marco Polo - compact motorhome with pop-up roof with roof bed, kitchenette with cool box and gas stove, rear seat / lounger combination, cupboards, etc.

The V-Class as a passenger car was available in the equipment variants:

• trend
• Fashion
• Ambience

Engines

Otto

model	Engine type	Displacement	Cylinders / valves	Max. Power at min −1	Max. Torque at min −1	construction time
V 200, Vito 113	M 111 E 20	1998 cc	R4 / 16	95 kW (129 PS) / 5100	186 Nm / 3600-4500	1996-2003
V 230, Vito 114	M 111 E 23	2295 cc	R4 / 16	105 kW (143 PS) / 5000	215 Nm / 3500-4500	1996-2003
V 280	VR6 engine from VW	2792 cc	6/12	128 kW (174 PS) / 6000	237 Nm / 2800-3200	1997-2003

diesel

model	Engine type	Displacement	Cylinders / valves	Max. Power at min −1	Max. Torque at min −1	construction time
Vito 108 D	OM 601 D 23	2299 cc	R4 / 8	58 kW (79 PS) / 3800	152 Nm / 2300-3000	1996-1999
V 230 TD, Vito 110 D	OM 601 D 23 LA	2299 cc	R4 / 8	72 kW (98 PS) / 3800	230 Nm / 1700-2400	1996-1999
Vito 108 CDI	OM 611 DE 22 LA red.	2151 cc	R4 / 16	60 kW (82 PS) / 3800	200 Nm / 1500-2400	1999-2003
V 200 CDI, Vito 110 CDI	OM 611 DE 22 LA red.	2151 cc	R4 / 16	75 kW (102 PS) / 3800	250 Nm / 1600-2400	1999-2003
V 220 CDI, Vito 112 CDI	OM 611 DE 22 LA	2151 cc	R4 / 16	90 kW (122 PS) / 3800	300 Nm / 1800-2500	1999-2003

Quality problems

The W 638 series suffered from various quality problems right up to the end; in addition to the massive corrosion problems, the vehicle electrics, in particular the ENR (electronic level control), should be emphasized here. In 2003, in the last year of production, extensive improvements were made. In its 2014 used vehicle report, Dekra particularly criticized the braking systems and rated the quality of the vehicles as poor overall.

swell

• http://www.mercedes-v-club.de/

Web links

Commons : Mercedes-Benz W 638  - Collection of pictures, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

1. ↑ Mercedes-Benz V-Class (1996-2003) - V for Desperation - Test reports, autobild.de used car test by Autobild, accessed on January 14, 2010
2. ↑ DEKRA Used Car Report 2014 ( Memento from February 26, 2014 in the Internet Archive ), accessed on February 19, 2014