Nissan Maxima vs BMW M3 Dimensions & Size Comparison

Comparing 2017 catalog dimensions. Nissan Maxima · BMW M3

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

Side view
  • Length192.8 in
  • Height56.5 in
  • Wheelbase109.3 in
  • Ground clearance5.6 in
  • Curb weight3,471 lb – 3,593 lb
Front / width
  • Width73.2 in
  • BMW M3 width73.9 in

Which is bigger?

  • Length: BMW M3 is 8.3 in shorter (192.8 in vs 184.5 in)
  • Width: Nissan Maxima is 0.7 in narrower (73.2 in vs 73.9 in)
  • Height: Nissan Maxima is 0.4 in taller (56.5 in vs 56.1 in)
  • Wheelbase: BMW M3 has a 1.4 in longer wheelbase (109.3 in vs 110.7 in)
  • Ground clearance: Nissan Maxima has 0.9 in more ground clearance (5.6 in vs 4.7 in)
  • Curb weight: BMW M3 is 8 lb heavier (3,532 lb vs 3,540 lb)

Biggest size differences

  1. Ground clearance: Nissan Maxima has 0.9 in more ground clearance (5.6 in vs 4.7 in)
  2. Length: BMW M3 is 8.3 in shorter (192.8 in vs 184.5 in)
  3. Wheelbase: BMW M3 has a 1.4 in longer wheelbase (109.3 in vs 110.7 in)
  4. Width: Nissan Maxima is 0.7 in narrower (73.2 in vs 73.9 in)
  5. Height: Nissan Maxima is 0.4 in taller (56.5 in vs 56.1 in)

Practical verdicts

  • Easier to fit in a short garageBMW M3BMW M3 is shorter by 8.3 in Check garage fit for Nissan Maxima · garage fit for BMW M3
  • Narrower for tight parkingNissan MaximaNissan Maxima is narrower by 0.7 in
  • More ground clearanceNissan MaximaNissan Maxima has 0.9 in more clearance
  • Smaller exterior footprintBMW M3Based on length × width (BMW M3)

Dimension comparison

SpecNissan MaximaBMW M3Difference
Length192.8 in184.5 in8.3 in
Width73.2 in73.9 in0.7 in
Height56.5 in56.1 in0.4 in
Wheelbase109.3 in110.7 in1.4 in
Ground clearance5.6 in4.7 in0.9 in
Curb weight3,532 lb3,540 lb8 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.