Nissan Altima vs BMW M3 Dimensions & Size Comparison

Comparing 2009 catalog dimensions. Nissan Altima · BMW M3

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

Side view
  • Length182.5 in – 189.8 in
  • Height55.3 in – 57.9 in
  • Wheelbase105.3 in – 109.3 in
  • Curb weight3,076 lb – 3,407 lb
Front / width
  • Width70.7 in
  • BMW M3 width71.0 in – 71.5 in

Which is bigger?

  • Length: BMW M3 is 5.0 in shorter (186.2 in vs 181.1 in)
  • Width: Nissan Altima is 0.5 in narrower (70.7 in vs 71.3 in)
  • Height: Nissan Altima is 0.7 in taller (56.6 in vs 55.9 in)
  • Wheelbase: BMW M3 has a 1.4 in longer wheelbase (107.3 in vs 108.7 in)
  • Curb weight: BMW M3 is 683 lb heavier (3,242 lb vs 3,925 lb)

Biggest size differences

  1. Curb weight: BMW M3 is 683 lb heavier (3,242 lb vs 3,925 lb)
  2. Length: BMW M3 is 5.0 in shorter (186.2 in vs 181.1 in)
  3. Wheelbase: BMW M3 has a 1.4 in longer wheelbase (107.3 in vs 108.7 in)
  4. Height: Nissan Altima is 0.7 in taller (56.6 in vs 55.9 in)
  5. Width: Nissan Altima is 0.5 in narrower (70.7 in vs 71.3 in)

Practical verdicts

  • Easier to fit in a short garageBMW M3BMW M3 is shorter by 5.0 in Check garage fit for Nissan Altima · garage fit for BMW M3
  • Narrower for tight parkingNissan AltimaNissan Altima is narrower by 0.5 in
  • Smaller exterior footprintBMW M3Based on length × width (BMW M3)

Dimension comparison

SpecNissan AltimaBMW M3Difference
Length186.2 in181.1 in5.0 in
Width70.7 in71.3 in0.5 in
Height56.6 in55.9 in0.7 in
Wheelbase107.3 in108.7 in1.4 in
Curb weight3,242 lb3,925 lb683 lb

Values use trim midpoints when a model year lists a range (e.g. length 182.5 in – 189.8 in).

Compare by year

Overlapping model years with dimension data.

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