Instrument Cluster crack

[PAX5]

With the recent (severe) cold snap here in the Northeast, the instrument cluster developed a crack (see pic). The crack appears to radiate into the black frame surrounding the cluster ... Big question of course is WHY?

First dealer service manager I brought it to said "no way, this is not covered under any warranty ... I've seen this before ..." The car is a 2009 e70 4.8i with 44K miles on it, still under factory warranty.

New cluster is about $1,200 and 3 hrs of labor ....

Has anyone else seen this? Any advice on how I can get this covered under warranty?

Update: talked to another dealer and showed hi res pictures. Said that the local BMW RTE (Regional Technical Expert) needs to look at it for a proper disposition. It is not clear that this would fall under material defect and or workmanship ... Parts guy and tech say that cluster comes complete with all gauges and LED's (it is basically a display) and that it needs to be coded to the car VIN and mileage ...