MicEvHill

I am hearning a lot of criticism of the new Mercedes-Benz CLE coupe for having a B Pillar.

Can someone explain what a B Pillar is and why it is bad? And does the cabriolet have one, as well? Or just the coupe?

splunge

Generally there are 3 pillars supporting a car roof . The A Pillar is the front windshield, the B Pillar is between the front and rear seats (or doors ) and the C Pillar is at the rear windshield . On some coupes there is no B Pillar , the roof being supported solely by the front and rear windshields . Most people prefer this arrangement ,because with the windows down ,there is a more open feeling similar to a cabriolet . The cabriolet is by its very nature open without a B Pillar .

MicEvHill

Thanks for the excellent explanation.

I feel foolish, now, for asking about a B Pillar on a cab!

RJC

B pillars help to add structural rigidity and are less expensive to build vs pillar-less. The windshields themselves don’t really support the roof where the A and C pillars do the heavy lifting.

MicEvHill

Are there any Mercedes-Benz coupes in the past that were without a B pillar?

RJC

yes several

Mikey53

My E450 coupe has no B pillar.

MicEvHill

Nice one.... What year? What options? How long have you had it? How do you like it?

What (if any) are your thoughts on what you have seen so far of the CLE 450?

W205C43PFL

Well, the C238 E coupe, C217 S coupe and C208 CLK coupe does not have a b-pillar.
the C205 C coupe has a b pillar.

Mikey53

It’s a 2022. Love it! I like the exterior lines of the CLE, the E450 is far superior on the inside for me. Plus, no B pillar means I can roll down the rear side windows!

chassis

Excluding sports cars (SL and GT):

W222 coupe
W213 coupe
W212 coupe
W124 coupe

do not have a B-pillar.

W204 has a B-pillar as, I think, does W205. So the CLE criticism doesn't take history into account.