cwrogers0530

I am new to the forum party, so forgive me for being a noob. I have a 2012 mustang and I have been having radio problems for about 6 months now. Initially my radio would make a loud noise, and then the clock would just blink and would no longer work. For the first 5-10 times it came back on eventually but for about 6 months now, nothing. In April I got ford to look at it and they "determined" it was the APIM module. I was quoted 396 dollars for the part, with installation the total came to 758 dollars. I still have yet to get it fixed. So I have a few questions.
1) Has anyone experienced this same or similar issue, if so what did you do?
2) I bought the other dash meant for a touch screen online just in case I ever wanted to go after market (see below)
[img]https://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTA2NlgxNjAw/z/oRcAAOSw409Zv81k/$_1.JPG?set_id=8800005007
2b) if I go aftermarket, is the APIM module necessary? Or is it meaningless with an aftermarket radio. Also, will these AC controls work fine or will they have to be programmed by ford or someone else?
3) If there is something I am missing, what do you recommend?

Thanks all!