Current F10 has runflats (19s) and previous E60 had them as well.
I'm just one of those who believes that those whose job it is to design cars get into the position they are in by actually knowing what they are doing. It's common sense surely - why would you design a car and then set out to totally ruin the ride by poor tyre selection? Obviously there is going to be a bit of compromise as they will be taking the middle ground and aiming to satisfy every type of driver on every type of road surface and in all type of conditions and climates. So yes - you can make a change to suit yourself but you should be conscious that the OE tyre selection is not a random one made without consideration to the way the car has been set up.
As already said, the F10 was the first car where they got it right.
In Europe you could always spec the cars with proper tyres, it was just the UK where it was not an option.
BMW admitted they hadn't managed to get it exactly how they wanted it.
Peter from e90post had BMW and Bilstein come and try his car with different suspension set ups and tyres. He was a good example that even though the run flats worked pretty well on German roads in Scotland where he is the terrible surface and yo-yo'ing temperatures really made it an awful experience.
Not too bad one day when it is 10ºc, but the next day when it is -2ºc they fall apart.
The designers have openly said they hadn't got the cars to match the run flats early on, it was a compromise, one many were prepared to take. M division never used them, Alpina never used them, and a lot of Europe didn't use them, even with their much better road surfaces.
The Alpina D3 got universally praised for its handling and comfort, every review I read raved about it, it is simply using the m-sport shock and the springs from the 330xd with 19" wheels shod with Michelin Pilot Sport 2s.
Everything from the BMW parts bin, but they were not prepared to compromise on handling and comfort so used real tyres.
