Well, I've never lost one in an early W124. We had an 87 300TD that we put 175K on over 13 years, got it with 100K, never had a problem with the A/C evaporator.
The replacement car, our current 95 E320 wagon, had the evap start leaking at just over 100K.
I've had 7 W124 chassis (86, 87, 87, 93, 93, 94, 95) over a period of 18 years, and only the 95 has had the problem...
Not to rule out your experience, but my observation and personal experience has led me to believe there is a much greater risk in the late W124 chassis.
Having grown up in Tucson, and lived in Scottsdale for 10 years, functioning A/C is very near and dear to my heart.
All the above cars had working A/C while I owned them.
Jim