No I have had no melting or bumping. There is probably .5 inch gap, so it is just enough that I have not had that problem. I think that I paid about 500.00 for it. You might actually find it cheaper. I love the sound: the deep throaty sound, its just great. My girlfriend drove it the other day in the parking lot just so I could hear out side the car for once and you almost could not really hear it. It's kind of like the 350Z exhaust. You hear it, but it not annoying. I would diffenently recommend it. I hope this answers any questions that anyone has. If not PM me.