BMW M3 vs Nissan Maxima Dimensions & Size Comparison

Comparing 1999 catalog dimensions. BMW M3 · Nissan Maxima

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 Maxima width69.7 in

Which is bigger?

  • Length: BMW M3 is 13.2 in shorter (174.5 in vs 187.7 in)
  • Width: BMW M3 is 2.4 in narrower (67.3 in vs 69.7 in)
  • Height: Nissan Maxima is 3.0 in taller (52.7 in vs 55.7 in)
  • Wheelbase: BMW M3 has a 0.2 in longer wheelbase (106.5 in vs 106.3 in)
  • Curb weight: BMW M3 is 286 lb heavier (3,335 lb vs 3,049 lb)

Biggest size differences

  1. Curb weight: BMW M3 is 286 lb heavier (3,335 lb vs 3,049 lb)
  2. Length: BMW M3 is 13.2 in shorter (174.5 in vs 187.7 in)
  3. Height: Nissan Maxima is 3.0 in taller (52.7 in vs 55.7 in)
  4. Width: BMW M3 is 2.4 in narrower (67.3 in vs 69.7 in)
  5. Wheelbase: BMW M3 has a 0.2 in longer wheelbase (106.5 in vs 106.3 in)

Practical verdicts

  • Easier to fit in a short garageBMW M3BMW M3 is shorter by 13.2 in Check garage fit for BMW M3 · garage fit for Nissan Maxima
  • Narrower for tight parkingBMW M3BMW M3 is narrower by 2.4 in
  • Smaller exterior footprintBMW M3Based on length × width (BMW M3)

Dimension comparison

SpecBMW M3Nissan MaximaDifference
Length174.5 in187.7 in13.2 in
Width67.3 in69.7 in2.4 in
Height52.7 in55.7 in3.0 in
Wheelbase106.5 in106.3 in0.2 in
Curb weight3,335 lb3,049 lb286 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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