Spec Sizes

BMW M3 vs Nissan Altima Dimensions & Size Comparison

Comparing 1999 catalog dimensions. BMW M3 · Nissan Altima

Same scale for both vehicles. Generic silhouette — proportional to measured length, height, width, wheelbase, and clearance.

Side view
  • Length174.5 in
  • Height52.6 in – 52.8 in
  • Wheelbase106.3 in – 106.7 in
  • Curb weight3,175 lb – 3,494 lb
Front / width
  • Width67.3 in
  • Nissan Altima width69.1 in

Which is bigger?

  • Length: BMW M3 is 9.0 in shorter (174.5 in vs 183.5 in)
  • Width: BMW M3 is 1.8 in narrower (67.3 in vs 69.1 in)
  • Height: Nissan Altima is 3.2 in taller (52.7 in vs 55.9 in)
  • Wheelbase: BMW M3 has a 3.4 in longer wheelbase (106.5 in vs 103.1 in)
  • Curb weight: BMW M3 is 399 lb heavier (3,335 lb vs 2,936 lb)

Biggest size differences

  1. Curb weight: BMW M3 is 399 lb heavier (3,335 lb vs 2,936 lb)
  2. Height: Nissan Altima is 3.2 in taller (52.7 in vs 55.9 in)
  3. Length: BMW M3 is 9.0 in shorter (174.5 in vs 183.5 in)
  4. Wheelbase: BMW M3 has a 3.4 in longer wheelbase (106.5 in vs 103.1 in)
  5. Width: BMW M3 is 1.8 in narrower (67.3 in vs 69.1 in)

Practical verdicts

  • Easier to fit in a short garageBMW M3 — BMW M3 is shorter by 9.0 in Check garage fit for BMW M3 · garage fit for Nissan Altima
  • Narrower for tight parkingBMW M3 — BMW M3 is narrower by 1.8 in
  • Smaller exterior footprintBMW M3 — Based on length × width (BMW M3)

Dimension comparison

SpecBMW M3Nissan AltimaDifference
Length174.5 in183.5 in9.0 in
Width67.3 in69.1 in1.8 in
Height52.7 in55.9 in3.2 in
Wheelbase106.5 in103.1 in3.4 in
Curb weight3,335 lb2,936 lb399 lb

Values use trim midpoints when a model year lists a range.

Compare by year

Overlapping model years with dimension data.

Already own one of these cars?

Jump to maintenance sizes on the vehicle page — tires, wipers, battery, and oil when present in the catalog.