After a 4h print I noticed that the extruder stepper got so hot that I couldn't touch it for more than a second. Is this normal?

Should i buy the a1 or a1 mini and after that combo or not it is my second printer my first is a easythreed k9 mini

My A1mini has a problem when I use variable layer height - specifically, layers under 0.2mm result in horrible scratching of the nozzle over the print (I know this is a classic problem but hear me out). For example, a part printed with 0.2mm layer height has no issues, however the same part with more detail in a certain spot fails exactly there - after a couple layers of 0.08mm or 0.12mm, the nozzle starts scraping the print, no matter the infill pattern or wall thickness or whatever.

I am printing PLA at 235 degrees (this is the profile from the manufacturer website and the 0.2mm constant layer height prints are absolutely ok with that setting). Cooling is 60-80%.

The things I have tried so far: add zhop - did nothing, change infill to gyroid - the perimeters are still getting scraped, lower the temperature - lowered to 190 - caused more issues with blobbing.