The G Man

In theory, you are right, but I don't think I can say that the B Pillar ever created a blind spot on my S5. With lane assist and if your mirrors are adjusted correctly, sometimes I don't even turn my head when changing lane.

NoMoreBMWs

If you are used to a coupe - six in a row over 23 years for me - you can feel the proximity of the B pillar at first: it feels a bit claustrophobic. But actually it impedes vision less than in a coupe when doing a shoulder check for traffic approaching from behind. As a motorcyclist I can't stop shoulder checking, but with the proper wide angle mirror placement and blind spot monitor it is largely redundant. With both of my last two coupes - the E92 M3 and 435i xDrive - I had occasional issues with traffic approaching rapidly from the rear being invisible due to the more rearward placement of the B pillar. I would have been better off with suppressing the shoulder check and relying more on the mirrors.

The G Man

If I understand you correctly, you are saying that the more rearward placement of the B pillar in a coupe actually just blocks a different area in the adjacent lane when doing a shoulder check.

NoMoreBMWs

Yes, but due to the angle of view a more rearward car shrinks and can be completely occluded by the more rearward placement of the B pillar in a coupe, whereas a shoulder check will always reveal a car right beside you even with the B pillar right beside your head.

The G Man

On my drive to lunch, I tested out your theory and I completely understand what you are saying now. If I do a shoulder check in my sportback, I am looking out the rear window into the adjacent lane, if I have a coupe, that line of sight would be occluded by the more rearward B pillar.

howdoesishotweb

With 2 kids and their massive car seats, 4 doors is the only option!

Nikon1