Spec Sizes

BMW M3 vs Nissan Altima Dimensions & Size Comparison

Comparing 2001 catalog dimensions. BMW M3 · Nissan Altima

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

Side view
  • Length176.8 in
  • Height53.7 in – 54.0 in
  • Wheelbase107.5 in
  • Curb weight3,415 lb – 3,781 lb
Front / width
  • Width70.1 in
  • Nissan Altima width69.1 in

Which is bigger?

  • Length: BMW M3 is 9.0 in shorter (176.8 in vs 185.8 in)
  • Width: Nissan Altima is 1.0 in narrower (70.1 in vs 69.1 in)
  • Height: Nissan Altima is 2.0 in taller (53.9 in vs 55.9 in)
  • Wheelbase: BMW M3 has a 4.4 in longer wheelbase (107.5 in vs 103.1 in)
  • Curb weight: BMW M3 is 644 lb heavier (3,598 lb vs 2,954 lb)

Biggest size differences

  1. Curb weight: BMW M3 is 644 lb heavier (3,598 lb vs 2,954 lb)
  2. Length: BMW M3 is 9.0 in shorter (176.8 in vs 185.8 in)
  3. Wheelbase: BMW M3 has a 4.4 in longer wheelbase (107.5 in vs 103.1 in)
  4. Height: Nissan Altima is 2.0 in taller (53.9 in vs 55.9 in)
  5. Width: Nissan Altima is 1.0 in narrower (70.1 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 parkingNissan Altima — Nissan Altima is narrower by 1.0 in
  • Smaller exterior footprintBMW M3 — Based on length × width (BMW M3)

Dimension comparison

SpecBMW M3Nissan AltimaDifference
Length176.8 in185.8 in9.0 in
Width70.1 in69.1 in1.0 in
Height53.9 in55.9 in2.0 in
Wheelbase107.5 in103.1 in4.4 in
Curb weight3,598 lb2,954 lb644 lb

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

Compare by year

Overlapping model years with dimension data.

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