Timing belt usually needs to be replaced more often than the chain, but it is usually significantly cheaper. Timing belt motors are generally quieter and less vibrating than chain motors.
Performance
Power:
185 HP
193 HP
Torque:
206 NM
280 NM
Acceleration 0-100 km/h:
7.5 seconds
8.4 seconds
Honda Prelude engine produces 8 HP less power than Mercedes CLK, whereas torque is 74 NM less than Mercedes CLK. Despite less power, Honda Prelude reaches 100 km/h speed 0.9 seconds faster.
Fuel consumption
Fuel consumption (l/100km):
9.5
9.8
Honda Prelude consumes 0.3 litres less fuel per 100 km than the Mercedes CLK, which means that by driving the Honda Prelude over 15,000 km in a year you can save 45 litres of fuel.
Fuel tank capacity:
60 litres
62 litres
Full fuel tank distance:
630 km in combined cycle
630 km in combined cycle
770 km on highway
840 km on highway
Drive type
Wheel drive type:
Front wheel drive (FWD)
Rear wheel drive (RWD)
Front-wheel drive cars (Honda Prelude) have better traction on slippery roads and when climbing hills, better fuel economy, and are less expensive to purchase. On the disadvantage side, FWD cars usually have less towing capacity, poorer acceleration and harder handling. Rear-wheel drive cars (Mercedes CLK) have better handling on dry roads, better acceleration, more even weight distribution and more fun to drive. RWD is also better for towing large loads. The cons of rear-wheel drive are less interior and trunk space and more difficulty maneuvering in wet and snowy conditions.
Engines
Average engine lifespan:
420'000 km
520'000 km
Engine resource depends largely on regular maintenance and the quality of the oils and fuels used, but under equal conditions the average life of a Mercedes CLK engine could be longer.
Engine production duration:
11 years
8 years
Engine spread:
Used only for this car
Used also on Mercedes SLK
In general, the longer and for more car models an engine is produced, the better its serviceability and availability of spare parts.
Hydraulic tappets:
no
yes
The Mercedes CLK engine has hydraulic tappets (lifters), providing quieter operation and no need for periodic adjustment, but they are more complex in design and can cause serious engine damage in case of failure.
Dimensions
Length:
4.54 m
4.57 m
Width:
1.75 m
1.72 m
Height:
1.32 m
1.37 m
Honda Prelude is 3 cm shorter than the Mercedes CLK, 3 cm wider, while the height of Honda Prelude is 5 cm lower.
Trunk capacity:
no data
420 litres
Turning diameter:
11 meters
10.7 meters
The turning circle of the Honda Prelude is 0.3 metres more than that of the Mercedes CLK.