I got my quote from Moss re supercharger, anti knock sensor and monitor plus fitting. The above came to just over £3k including VAT so is the knock monitor worthwhile?

Please note my car is a 1995 1.8i NO ABS/PAS/Aircon and I have no mechanical ability!
Which knock sensor is included, MSD or J&S? They work in slightly different way and they have a big difference in price. Is a knock sensor worthwhile, well that depends. If you want to stick to the recommended timing then you probably won't need one, even in the height of a UK summer. You will also need to 'always' put in premium petrol. The supercharger won't be producing top hp if you run this timing however. Therefore if you want a bit more power then you DEFINITELY want a knock sensor. The J&S will also protect you from a bad tank of fuel, blocked fuel lines etc. If you do get bad knocking then you quickly melt your engine. (12/99)
The knock sensor not the boost control (12/99)
I don't understand?? You don't have a boost control for an SC. You can only change the boost via the speed you drive it at. (12/99)
He means the "MSD Boost Control". It doesn't change boost but instead reacts to boost and retards the timing as the boost increases. It lets you use stock, or even slightly advanced timing, and still use normal unleaded fuel. It isn't as safe as the J&S but it does produce a smooth retard curve. Some people use the MSD for the smooth retard and the J&S for safety! (12/99)
The MSD and the J&S work in different ways. The MSD blindly retards as boost increases. The J&S retards if it hears knocking. If the J&S retards it is quite savage and power goes well down. But if you are sensible with fuel and timing you can keep this to a minimum (hence monitor is pretty vital). The MSD always retards so in cold weather it's retarding unnecessarily. I went for the MSD as it's simpler, easier to fit, no adjustment is required and it's cheaper. You have all the information and only you can decide! (12/99)

Whilst I was in the garage getting the timing set at 14 degs, the mechanic said that the '5 has a basic knock sensor built in which would retard the ignition, when pinging (I always thought it was pinking) is detected, by about 12 degrees. It would then gradually advance it bit by bit back to it's setting. He said this was the reason that 14 degs didn't work as the "knock sensor" was more active and you spend longer at say 2-10 BTDC whilst it's slowly advancing to the original setting.

Is this bloke talking bolloxs or what? If the standard car has one of these then why would any blown car need an aftermarket device to do the same job? If this is correct then maybe that's why my car feels better on the morning before I've pushed it and induced pinging?? Anybody know the facts? (7/00)
I thought that the MK2 has a simple knock sensor, the MK1 does not have such a thing hence you can induce pinging if you put the timing too far advanced... (7/00)
Mk2 has the knock sensor .. and so this is true .. IF you get into knock .. which it seems you don't as the mod for timing advance works .. Mk1 has no knock sensor .. just your ears.. which I hope you calibrated :-) (7/00)