Spec Sizes

Nissan Altima vs BMW M3 Dimensions & Size Comparison

Comparing 2001 catalog dimensions. Nissan Altima · BMW M3

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

Side view
  • Length185.8 in
  • Height55.9 in
  • Wheelbase103.1 in
  • Curb weight2,851 lb – 3,057 lb
Front / width
  • Width69.1 in
  • BMW M3 width70.1 in

Which is bigger?

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

Biggest size differences

  1. Curb weight: BMW M3 is 644 lb heavier (2,954 lb vs 3,598 lb)
  2. Length: BMW M3 is 9.0 in shorter (185.8 in vs 176.8 in)
  3. Wheelbase: BMW M3 has a 4.4 in longer wheelbase (103.1 in vs 107.5 in)
  4. Height: Nissan Altima is 2.0 in taller (55.9 in vs 53.9 in)
  5. Width: Nissan Altima is 1.0 in narrower (69.1 in vs 70.1 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 parkingNissan Altima — Nissan Altima is narrower by 1.0 in
  • Smaller exterior footprintBMW M3 — Based on length × width (BMW M3)

Dimension comparison

SpecNissan AltimaBMW M3Difference
Length185.8 in176.8 in9.0 in
Width69.1 in70.1 in1.0 in
Height55.9 in53.9 in2.0 in
Wheelbase103.1 in107.5 in4.4 in
Curb weight2,954 lb3,598 lb644 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.