Seems strange. Why would they ask BMW Germany?

BMW North America is in charge of dealers in the U.S. It's not like Toyota USA has to contact Toyota Japan, in order to replace a transmission. They just do it.

Your SA is giving you a line, without a doubt. That's not the way businesses are set up.

I'm sure BMW NA is operating under a license, and is a separate entity from BMW Germany. I could be wrong, and maybe others here know, but that's normally how automobile companies are structured.