but I am thinking of replacing the shifter, I have seen high kudos for one particular model, but I am wary of messing my lease program up.

This is my first new car, so I am sort of in the dark.

Replacing this part, would it be a mistake? I have 30+ months to go before I turn the car back in.

 

I have never leased so I can't say what it would do to your lease agreement but it only takes a couple of minutes to change out the oem part with the aftermarket shifter if you needed to turn it back in when your lease was up and they tend to have a good resale value.

 

If it's leased they're going to want it back bone stock. If you're going to change anything just keep the original part and swap it back in before you give the car back.

 

Correct.

They don't care what you do to the car as long as you meet your contract terms when you give the vehicle back (meaning it's stock, and I think most want the tires and brake pads replaced depending on how long the length of the lease is).