Interesting subject matter....brakes. I do a lot of brake work where I volunteer but have never worked on any E-series or Sprinters, vans, motor homes, box trucks....none of them.
Brakes are their own animal with regards to when they need work. Understandably brake work on an E350, E450, and Sprinter motor home is very expensive, and unfortunately is a common need. Because so many motor homes sit around so long without getting driven, the rotors get rusted real bad from outdoor moisture which then compromises brake performance and reduces the life of the brake pads. Fortunately you can visually inspect the front and rear rotors just by looking at the inside face of each rotor from underneath the motor home. If they are rusted to the point that there are small pin holes in the rotors, you should plan on getting a brake job. If the rust is more like a thin film and is removed after driving a few miles with some brake use, that is normal and you would be good to go. If the rig you are considering, has shinny smooth-looking rotors, then the question is....how thick are your brake pads. A mechanic would need to inspect that one.
Because some motor homes like ours see mostly highway driving, the brakes will be on the later side of the replacement schedule. I will eventually find out what that schedule is. With around 34K I figure I have some miles to go. Our PC brakes just don't get much use because our tow vehicle does so much of the touring where braking is more abundant. Also consider that our PC is kept indoors when not getting used so the rotors don't see a lot of moisture, hence no rust problem.
I quickly searched the web and found some examples on what to look for with regards to rusted rotors.
Here is what you hope to see. This rotor is in good "visual" condition.
Here is a bad rotor. Note the pin holes and rough surface.
I share this with you only to provide the obvious for you. Don't be doing your own brake inspections based on this reply. Be sure to get them inspected by a professional. But this simple visual exercise would give you a rough idea what you could be in for.
The E350 & E450 prior to 2008 (2007 and older) you should also get a separate quote to include two grease seals (one per front wheel) and repack the front wheel bearings. I believe starting in 2008, the front wheel hubs are not serviceable. Regardless of model year, I believe the rear wheel bearings are not generally serviced. But again reinforcing that I have not yet worked on any E-Series van or other. One more quote you will want to get is having the brake system flushed where 100% of the brake fluid in the system is replaced.
The cost of brake work ranges a lot. I advise to call around. With a motor home you won't have many shops to choose from. Ask for separate quotes for front and rear axles for they will have different prices. Cutting the rotors (resurfacing them smooth) seems to be a dying practice, but maybe you'll get lucky and find someone who still does that on truck rotors. They will need to meet a minimum thickness after the rust and pin holes are lathe-cut away which typically they are too thin afterward.
I cut normal vehicle rotors & drums myself as I have my own brake lathe (a gift from my next door neighbor who closed his auto shop and retired). I wonder if my E350 rotors would even fit on it.
