This is absolutely and totally bizarre. You are correct, that is what the manual says. I have absolutely zero idea why this is the case.
Let me attach the relevant pages so that others can see this issue. My honest advice, is to contact BMW NA via e-mail AND telephone to discuss this issue with them since it's pretty darn important and totally strange. Tell them to download a copy of the 2004 manual and 2005 manual from their own website (
www.bmwusa.com) to compare and contrast the two, in case they don't believe you or don't know what the hell you're talking about. If you would do that and report back that would be great.
Look at the attachments. They are the same relevant pages from the owner manuals from year 2000 to 2006. As follows:
Year 2000 - Published 12/99
Year 2001 - Published 09/00
Year 2002 - Published 10/01
Year 2003 - Published 08/02
Year 2004 - Published 08/03
Year 2004 - Published 04/04
Year 2005 - Published 10/04
Year 2005 - Published 03/05
Year 2006 - Published 07/05
Only the 2 manuals during model year 2004 have this strange statement. It's as though this issue suddenly was identified and then a year later disappeared again.