EMPI Sprintstar Wheel Set of 4 — 15x5 & 15x8 5-Spoke Black or Chrome, 5x205 | VW Beetle 1949–1967 (00-9689-0)
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EMPI Sprintstar 5-Spoke Wheel Set of 4 — 15" Black/Polished or Chrome, 5x205
Short answer: A set of four EMPI Sprintstar 5-spoke 15" cast aluminum wheels 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 gloss black/polished (ET+20), four 15x5 all-chrome (ET+20), or two black 15x5 fronts with two 15x8 (ET−18) rears. Caps and valve stems included; add the 20 matching 60° lug bolts in the Mounting Hardware option.
Part numbers: EMPI 00-9689-0 (009689-0, 0096890) 15x5 black · EMPI 00-9725-0 (009725-0, 0097250) 15x5 chrome · EMPI 00-2321-0 (002321-0, 0023210) 15x8 black
Choose your set
| Configuration | Wheels in the box | SKU | Set price | Ship weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Square 15x5 — Gloss Black/Polished | 4× 00-9689-0 | SET4-00-9689-0 | $777.95 | 65.4 lb |
| Square 15x5 — All Chrome | 4× 00-9725-0 | SET4-00-9725-0 | $1176.95 | 71.4 lb |
| Staggered 2× 15x5 + 2× 15x8 — Gloss Black/Polished | 2× 00-9689-0 + 2× 00-2321-0 | SET4S-00-9689-0-2321-0 | $820.95 | 74.1 lb |
The wide-5 Sprintstar keeps the classic five-spoke design on an early Bug, Ghia or Thing. Pick the gloss black and polished set, the all-chrome set, or the wide stagger for buggies and flared cars.
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 the black 15x5 Sprintstar (00-9689-0) only, not the chrome 00-9725-0, and 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 00-9689-0 | 15x5 | +20mm | 3-3/4" | Gloss black, polished lip & spokes | 16.35 lb |
| 00-9725-0 | 15x5 | +20mm | 3-3/4" | All chrome | 17.85 lb |
| 00-2321-0 | 15x8 | −18mm (negative) | 3-3/4" | Gloss black, polished lip & spokes | 20.7 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 is the common front. 15x8 rear: tire size depends on your fenders — ask us before ordering.
- 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 Sprintstar 5-spoke 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). On the 15x8 rear, confirm full thread engagement. 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 15x5 wheels (black 00-9689-0 and chrome 00-9725-0) share ET+20 and 3-3/4" backspacing, so they fit like a stock-width wheel. The 15x8 rear (00-2321-0) has a −18mm offset and EMPI says to check for clearance restrictions before installation — it is for buggies, Bajas and flared cars, not stock fenders. The staggered set is black/polished only; there is no chrome 15x8.
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; on the 15x8 rear, check the tire sidewall against the fender lip and confirm the lug bolts have full thread engagement.
- 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 5-lug Sprintstars fit a 1965 VW Beetle? Yes. 1949–1967 Beetles are 5x205 wide-5, which this set matches.
- Is there a chrome staggered Sprintstar set? No. The 15x8 Sprintstar (EMPI 00-2321-0) comes only in gloss black with polished spokes and lip, so the staggered set is black/polished.
- Will the 15x8 fit under stock fenders? Usually not. It has a −18mm offset and EMPI says to check clearance before installation. It suits buggies, Bajas and flared cars.
- 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.
- Do these fit a 1973 VW Thing? Yes. The US 1973–74 Thing is 5x205. Check clearance if you choose the 15x8 rears.
- Can I buy just one wheel? Yes — EMPI 00-9689-0, 00-9725-0 and 00-2321-0 are sold individually in our store.
Need just one?
- EMPI Sprintstar 15x5 & 15x8 5x205 black (00-9689-0 / 00-2321-0), sold each
- EMPI Sprintstar 15x5 5x205 chrome (00-9725-0), sold each
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.
