EMPI BRM-Style Wheel Set of 4 — 15x5 & 15x6.5 Gloss Black, 5x205 | VW Beetle 1949–1967, Ghia 1956–66, Type 3 (00-9676-0)
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EMPI BRM-Style Wheel Set of 4 — 15" Gloss Black with Polished Lip, 5x205
Short answer: A set of four EMPI BRM-style 15" cast aluminum wheels in gloss black with polished lip and spoke edges, in the 5x205 wide-5 pattern for the 1949–1967 VW Beetle, 1956–1966 Karmann Ghia, 1962–1965 Type 3 and 1973–74 Thing. Choose four 15x5 (ET+14) or the classic stagger: two 15x5 fronts and two 15x6.5 (ET+12) rears. Caps and valve stems included; add the 20 matching 60° lug bolts in the Mounting Hardware option.
Part numbers: EMPI 00-9676-0 (009676-0, 0096760) 15x5 · EMPI 00-9729-0 (009729-0, 0097290) 15x6.5
Choose your set
| Configuration | Wheels in the box | SKU | Set price | Ship weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Square 15x5 — Gloss Black/Polished | 4× 00-9676-0 | SET4-00-9676-0 | $726.95 | 62.8 lb |
| Staggered 2× 15x5 + 2× 15x6.5 — Gloss Black/Polished | 2× 00-9676-0 + 2× 00-9729-0 | SET4S-00-9676-0-9729-0 | $790.95 | 68.8 lb |
The BRM look — five flat spokes, a polished lip and a deep-set center — has been the go-to wide-5 wheel on early Bugs since the 1960s race cars that inspired it. This set gives you four matching EMPI wheels at 10% under EMPI list, with freight built in.
Vehicle Fitment
| Years | Vehicle | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1949–1967 | VW Beetle (Type 1) | 5x205 wide-5 hubs. 1967 is the last 5-lug Beetle. |
| 1956–1966 | VW Karmann Ghia | 5x205. EMPI lists the 1967 Ghia as 4x130 (disc-brake front) — count your lugs. |
| 1962–1965 | VW Type 3 (Notch, Square, Fastback) | 5x205 through the 1965 model year. |
| 1973–1974 | VW Thing (Type 181) | US Things use 5x205. |
| 1964–1967 | Dune buggy on a 5x205 pan | Any pan or front beam still on 5x205 drums. |
| 1950–1970 | VW Bus (Split and 1968–70 Bay) | EMPI lists Transporter fitment for this wheel (Split Bus and drum-front Bay), but publishes no load rating. The Bus uses M14x1.5 lug bolts with a 60° seat; the M12 kit in the Mounting Hardware option does not fit a Bus. We do not recommend these for a loaded Bus or camper — ask us first. |
| Does not fit | 1968–1979 Beetle, 1971–79 Super Beetle, 1967–74 Ghia, 1966–73 Type 3 | Those cars are 4x130. See our 4x130 sets. |
| Does not fit | 1971–1979 Bay Bus, Vanagon | 5x112 pattern. |
| Does not fit | Porsche 5x130 hubs / 5x130-converted VWs | Different pattern; no adapter makes a wide-5 wheel bolt to 5x130. |
Technical Specifications (per wheel)
| EMPI # | Size | Offset (ET) | Backspacing | Finish | Ship wt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 00-9676-0 | 15x5 | +14mm | 3-7/16" | Gloss black, polished lip & spoke edges | 15.7 lb |
| 00-9729-0 | 15x6.5 | +12mm | 4-1/8" | Gloss black, polished lip & spoke edges | 18.7 lb |
- Bolt pattern: 5x205 (VW wide-5)
- Lug seat: 60° conical (taper) seat — not the ball (radius) seat used by stock VW steel wheels
- Lug thread: M12x1.5 lug bolts, 5 per wheel (20 for the set), on Beetle, Ghia, Type 3, Thing and buggies; the Bus uses M14x1.5
- Optional: 20 × M12x1.5 60° chrome lug bolts (KIT20-00-9711-0), + $89.95 in the Mounting Hardware option (not for Bus)
- Construction: Cast aluminum, 15" diameter
- Center bore: Not published by EMPI (hub-centering is by the 60° lug seats)
- Recommended tires: 15x5: 165R15 front is the common choice. 15x6.5 rears: 185/65R15 or 195/65R15 are typical — confirm clearance on your car.
- Sold as: Set of 4 wheels (shipped as 4 boxes, about 17 x 17 x 7–9.6 in each)
What's included / not included
- Included: 4 EMPI BRM-style wheels in the configuration you choose, an EMPI center cap and a valve stem with each wheel. Lug bolts are included only if you choose them in the Mounting Hardware option.
- Not included: lug locks, tires, mounting and balancing.
Add mounting hardware
On a Beetle, Ghia, Type 3, Thing or buggy these wheels need 20 × M12x1.5 60° conical-seat lug bolts. Your stock ball-seat bolts will not work. Pick the bolts in the Mounting Hardware option above and they ship with your wheels:
| Mounting Hardware option | What it is | Price |
|---|---|---|
| No Hardware | Wheels only, for when you already have the correct 60° M12x1.5 bolts | + $0 |
| 60° Chrome Lug Bolts, Set of 20 (KIT20-00-9711-0) | 20 EMPI chrome M12x1.5 60° conical-seat lug bolts (4 × EMPI 00-9711-0), enough for all four wheels. See the kit | + $89.95 |
For theft protection, swap one bolt per wheel for EMPI 70-2706-0 12mm 60° wheel locks (set of 4 with key). EMPI lists the M12 kit for Beetle, Ghia, Type 3, Thing and buggy hubs. The M12 kit does not fit a Bus: the Split and 1968–1970 Bay Bus use M14x1.5 lug bolts — ask us for the correct Bus bolt. If you run spacers or adapters, use extended 60° bolts sized for the stack.
Why it matters — expert note
The staggered set puts the narrow 15x5 on the front, where a stock Beetle beam has the least room, and the 15x6.5 on the rear for a wider footprint and the classic raked look. The fronts are ET+14 and the rears ET+12, so the rear wheel sits slightly further out. The biggest mistake we see is reusing stock ball-seat bolts: EMPI alloys need 60° conical bolts.
Install notes
- Test-fit one bare wheel on each axle before mounting tires: check brake drum/caliper clearance, the inner wheel well and the fender lip; the 15x6.5 rear needs a check against the rear fender lip with your chosen tire.
- Use only 60° conical lug bolts. Ball-seat bolts will not seat and can work loose.
- Tighten in a star pattern to the torque in your VW service manual or the lug maker's spec, and re-check after the first 25–50 miles — aluminum wheels settle.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Do these BRM wheels fit a 1967 VW Beetle? Yes. The 1967 Beetle is the last 5x205 year, and this set is 5x205 wide-5. 1968 and later Beetles are 4x130 and need our 4x130 BRM set.
- What is the staggered BRM set? Two 15x5 fronts (EMPI 00-9676-0, ET+14) and two 15x6.5 rears (EMPI 00-9729-0, ET+12), all gloss black with a polished lip.
- Do these wheels come with lug bolts? Not by default — choose "60° Chrome Lug Bolts, Set of 20 (KIT20-00-9711-0)" in the Mounting Hardware option (+$89.95) and you get all 20 M12x1.5 60° conical-seat bolts (4 × EMPI 00-9711-0) with your wheels. Each wheel already ships with a center cap and valve stem. The kit is not for the Bus.
- Can I use my stock VW lug bolts? No. Stock VW steel wheels use ball-seat bolts; these EMPI alloys need 60° conical-seat bolts.
- Will these fit my 1966 VW Bus? EMPI lists Transporter fitment, but publishes no load rating for this wheel, and the Bus uses M14x1.5 lug bolts, so the M12 kit offered here does not fit. We do not recommend it for a loaded Bus or camper — contact us before ordering.
- Can I buy just one wheel? Yes — see EMPI 00-9676-0 (15x5) and 00-9729-0 (15x6.5), sold individually in our store.
Need just one?
Explore Related Categories
Wheels, Air-Cooled VW, EMPI 60° Lug Bolt Kit, Set of 20, EMPI 60° Chrome Lug Bolts, EMPI Wheel Locks & Lug Hardware
Parts are legal for use on pre-pollution-controlled vehicles only.
Prop 65 Warning
WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals including lead, which is known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
