I just read this thread for the first time.
First, Midpipes do not come with O2 bungs. If you want one you need to say so when ordering. Reason being is 70% of midpipe orders are from NA proteges. The flex joint is put near the back because the outer diameter is to much to clear the crossmember.
As for the leverage comment, our motors torque forward and aft.
Midpipes hit the crossmember for several reasons. Saggy exhaust hangers or a bad motor mount. We all know our motor mounts suck and typically are shot within 15K miles.
If your midpipe hits, bend the hangers. It takes longer to get on the forum and type out your complaint than if you bent the hangers. Or by calling me I can help out.
As for SPD fixing your midpipe, they never even paid me for there orders. so they where dealers for less than a month..Also, they only bought 3 and they where 1-2 months before you bought yours. By the pictures I seen of your setup, it didn't look like my first Gen Midpipes.. Maybe it was one of there attempts to produce one. My first gen Midpipes did not have a flex joint and the hangers where upside down.. Yours has a flex and the hangers where different. Also, they sold it to you for like $75 or something like that if I remember, they pay more as a dealer than that.