First, Is the telephone typically delivered with the car or are they backordered?
The telephone is ordered by the dealer after you choose 'cdma' or 'tdma' depending on the carrier. I believe tdma is AT&T and cdma is verizon/sprint. My phone was ordered by my dealer while the car was enroute from the VPC. At delivery, the phone was in the car. The only things I have not received are the Navigation disks, which will be mailed to me from BMWNA and the hardtop which the dealer is requesting for shipment to his site.

Second, is the hardtop stand typically delivered with the car or is it backordered as well? The car came with the hardtop, but no stand. It appears that one cannot simply lay the hardtop flat on the ground and that the stand is really necessary for proper storage.
My car produced on Feb 12, 2001 did not come with the hardtop. Cars produced right after mine are being shipped with the hardtop. According to members on this board who have received theirs, the hardtop comes with a stand and a cover. You need to check with your broker/dealer.However make sure you are careful when removing the hardtop to avoid damage to the rear window defroster connecting clips.
Third, where is the valet key located? I found the two main keys, along with the "emergency key", but no valet key.
Again check with your broker. There are four keys, two masters, one emergency and one valet. My dealer handed all four to me. The masters are recharged while driving the car. Check your manual for details .

Thank you in advance for any assistance you provide.

Gary