Spec Sizes

Nissan Altima vs BMW M3 Dimensions & Size Comparison

Comparing 2012 catalog dimensions. Nissan Altima · BMW M3

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

Side view
  • Length180.9 in – 190.7 in
  • Height55.9 in – 58.0 in
  • Wheelbase105.3 in – 109.3 in
  • Curb weight3,081 lb – 3,357 lb
Front / width
  • Width70.7 in
  • BMW M3 width71.0 in

Which is bigger?

  • Length: BMW M3 is 4.0 in shorter (185.8 in vs 181.8 in)
  • Width: Nissan Altima is 0.3 in narrower (70.7 in vs 71.0 in)
  • Height: Nissan Altima is 1.7 in taller (57.0 in vs 55.3 in)
  • Wheelbase: BMW M3 has a 1.4 in longer wheelbase (107.3 in vs 108.7 in)
  • Curb weight: BMW M3 is 706 lb heavier (3,219 lb vs 3,925 lb)

Biggest size differences

  1. Curb weight: BMW M3 is 706 lb heavier (3,219 lb vs 3,925 lb)
  2. Height: Nissan Altima is 1.7 in taller (57.0 in vs 55.3 in)
  3. Length: BMW M3 is 4.0 in shorter (185.8 in vs 181.8 in)
  4. Wheelbase: BMW M3 has a 1.4 in longer wheelbase (107.3 in vs 108.7 in)
  5. Width: Nissan Altima is 0.3 in narrower (70.7 in vs 71.0 in)

Practical verdicts

  • Easier to fit in a short garageBMW M3 — BMW M3 is shorter by 4.0 in Check garage fit for Nissan Altima · garage fit for BMW M3
  • Narrower for tight parkingNissan Altima — Nissan Altima is narrower by 0.3 in
  • Smaller exterior footprintBMW M3 — Based on length × width (BMW M3)

Dimension comparison

SpecNissan AltimaBMW M3Difference
Length185.8 in181.8 in4.0 in
Width70.7 in71.0 in0.3 in
Height57.0 in55.3 in1.7 in
Wheelbase107.3 in108.7 in1.4 in
Curb weight3,219 lb3,925 lb706 lb

Values use trim midpoints when a model year lists a range (e.g. length 180.9 in – 190.7 in).

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.