Spec Sizes

Nissan Altima vs BMW M3 Dimensions & Size Comparison

Comparing 1999 catalog dimensions. Nissan Altima · BMW M3

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

Side view
  • Length183.5 in
  • Height55.9 in
  • Wheelbase103.1 in
  • Curb weight2,859 lb – 3,012 lb
Front / width
  • Width69.1 in
  • BMW M3 width67.3 in

Which is bigger?

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

Biggest size differences

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

Practical verdicts

  • Easier to fit in a short garageBMW M3 — BMW M3 is shorter by 9.0 in Check garage fit for Nissan Altima · garage fit for BMW M3
  • 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

SpecNissan AltimaBMW M3Difference
Length183.5 in174.5 in9.0 in
Width69.1 in67.3 in1.8 in
Height55.9 in52.7 in3.2 in
Wheelbase103.1 in106.5 in3.4 in
Curb weight2,936 lb3,335 lb399 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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