I am after a T55 and T72/80.
I have read that the Tamiya T55 is the best 55 at the present.
But what is the best late version to go for.

For the T-55, the Tamyia is the best choice.
See here for some extras (aber/eduard have several P/E sets):

http://www.perthmilitarymodelling.com/reviews/subject/t55.htm

For the T-72/80, there are several Zvezda kits, some from Revell, Tamyia(T-72).
I did a T-72 from ESCI (looooong time ago, awful kit) and lately a Zvezda B version, very good except the Tracks which are rubbish, trash can directly...