I'm totally in agreement about the superiority (over OEM plastic lamps) of even ordinary sealed beams. Beyond that, for around 40 years (since the 1970s) and only until I got my first post-'84 240, I have only used Cibie e-code (in various iterations such as Z-beams, etc.) substitutes for sealed beams in all of my cars, Volvos and other makes -- so you might say I have been "spoiled" by European headlights.

It was disconcerting that my newest 240s weren't designed to accept sealed beams, and I eventually went to the expense of buying (for my first '93) relatively cheaper DJAuto euroheadlights; and being disappointed in their quality, then (for my second '93) getting (actually a gift from my daughter) genuine Volvo/Cibie euroheadlights.

But before considering these expensive euroheadlight conversions, I (as you suggested) considered converting my cars to sealed beam-compatibility (whereupon I could have installed my favorite e-code substitutes from Dan Stern's website) for a small fraction of the price of euroheadlights. Some years ago, over a lengthy period, there were many posts (and some ambitious examples) discussed and shown on this forum which you no doubt can find in the archives. Some were ugly, and many only marginally acceptable. So since I had one and then two exceptionally nice-looking '93 240s, I reluctantly decided that they deserved the right conversion, with euroheadlights designed for their unique hood and fenders (which are different than the pre-'85 cars that took sealed beams).

As you pointed out, it's a matter of aesthetics. But if you really want sealed beams (or e-codes), you can find a way -- check the aforementioned archives of this forum for suggestions.

[note that I refer to e-codes and euroheadlights as two different entities: the former are those designed to be swapped for sealed beams, whereas the latter are those headlamps of proprietary (non-standard) design applicable to manufacturer's specific car models, such as virtually any contemporary domestic or foreign car, that meet TUV (European) lighting standards and are sold in the European markets.]