It's not that, it's the marketing men. Tyre manufacturers sell wide, low profile tyres to car manufacturers at a huge discount because they know they will make as fortune on replacements. Low profile tyres are much more expensive, much more easily damaged and wear at a much faster rate than deep profile tyres. The impressionable public fall for the 'bling' factor and osteopaths make a fortune. But you are partly right. The roads in Bavaria are almost all billiard smooth, even in the countryside. And that's where Audis and BMWs and some Mercedes come from. So what you do is order your car on tyres of at least 55 profile. The ride on my last 320dED on 205/60 R16s was okay, as is the ride on my current Mazda 6 on 225/55 R17s.